2014 KVA Preseason Rankings -- click here

The high school volleyball season gets underway this weekend and gears up in full swing next week. As teams prepare for the volleyball season the Kanzaland and Northeast Kansas area has eight teams ranked by the Kansas Volleyball Association to start the season, after a great volleyball year for area teams last year.

Twin Valley League has four teams preseason ranked with the Centralia Panthers leading the charge for area teams as they are ranked number one in Class 1A-Division I start a State title last year. Valley Heights Mustangs and Linn Bulldogs are both, also ranked in Class 1A-DI checking in at number six and seven, respectively in the preseason rankings. Washington County Tigers start the season ranked third in Class 2A, while Northeast Kansas League team the Jefferson County North Chargers start the season ranked second in 2A. Only one area team finds themselves in the Class 3A top 10 that is the Nemaha Central Thunder, who is comprised of athletes from both Nemaha Valley and B&B who both enjoyed great volleyball years last year. In Class 4A-Division II it's a pair of Big Seven League schools highlighting the rankings as the Holton Wildcats are preseason ranked third and the Jeff West Tigers are right behind them at number four.

After winning their 11th volleyball State title last year and finishing the year 38-6 the Centralia Panthers start this season preseason ranked number one in Class 1A-DI. The Panthers return a trio of second team All-State and All-Twin Valley League players from last year in Liz Hasenkamp, Katy Haufler and Amaris Jones, while bring back plenty of other key contributors under Coach Kimbrook Tennal. For the Valley Heights Mustangs and Linn Bulldogs they too return key players this year as they start the season ranked sixth and seventh. Valley Heights finished last year 20-17 and return honorable mention All-State player, Brandi Jo Roepke this year, while fellow All-TVL players, Cassidy Coggins and Sidney Blackburn, also return. For Linn the Bulldogs finished last year 22-15 and bring back a pair of All-TVL players in Kesiah Thalmann and Nicole Ohlde; Ohlde also earned honorable mention All-State last season.

In Class 2A, the Jefferson County North lady Chargers finished as runner-ups last year going 37-10 and won the first ever Northeast Kansas League title going 16-0 in league play and start the season preseason ranked number two. The Chargers loss a majority of their top players but look to build upon last year's success. While, Washington County Tigers rank third in the preseason polls after a 30-8 season last year. The Tigers return second team All-State player, Erin Alexander and also bring back two more All-TVL players in Heidi Stegman and Taylor Powell.

The Nemaha Central Thunder highlight Class 3A for area teams as they are preseason ranked seventh to start the year. The Thunder is a combination of both Nemaha Valley and B&B high schools as the two schools have consolidated. Both the Raiders and Falcons enjoyed great years last year as Nemaha Valley made the State 3A tournament finishing 22-18 on the year, while B&B won the Class 1A-DII State title for the third straight year finishing the year 42-3. With athletes from both schools coming together and former B&B Falcon coach, Jessica Koch leading the team the Thunder look to put together a great year. The Thunder will return one All-League player from last year in Madison Koch, as Madison earned All-Big Seven honors as a Raider last year.

Class 4A-DII houses a pair of Big Seven League teams in the preseason ranks in the Holton Wildcats and Jeff West Tigers ranked third and fourth, respectively. Holton is coming off a 22-15 season and was one win shy of the State tournament last year. While Jeff West finished the year 24-17 and made the State tournament. The Tigers return second team All-State player, Olivia Brees and another All-Big Seven League player in Bailey Harvey.

Many other area teams return key players including All-League players and the 2014 high school volleyball season expects to be one full of great competition especially in Northeast Kansas.