Unanimous pick Wiederin selected to CIML first team along with Ellison, Heither

Ankeny’s Hailey Wiederin spikes the ball as teammate Marlee Ellison (No. 7) looks on during the Hawkettes’ victory on Sept. 15 at Ankeny Centennial. Both Wiederin and Ellison have been named to the CIML Conference first team by a vote of the league’s coaches. Wiederin was a unanimous pick. (Photo by Scott Byers)

Ankeny volleyball standout Hailey Wiederin has been unanimously selected to the CIML Conference first team by a vote of the league’s coaches. She was joined on the squad by teammate Marlee Ellison and Ankeny Centennial’s Sophia Heither.

The Jaguars placed two players, Kaelyn Rinehart and Madi VanBruggen, on the all-conference second team. The Hawkettes were represented on the second team by Elle Isaacson.

Centennial’s Ellie Pollock and Bailey Snyder were named to the third team along with Ankeny sisters Kellen and Quinn Roush. Pollock was a repeat selection.

Four other players earned honorable mention, including Raquel Risk of Ankeny, who was a repeat pick. Her teammate, Katelyn Mescher, was also recognized along with the Centennial duo of Sidney Rogers and Emma VandenHull.

Wiederin, a junior outside hitter, led Class 5A and ranked 14th in the entire state with 444 kills while posting a .373 hitting percentage, which ranked fourth in 5A. She also tied for 13th in 5A with 46 aces and tied for 17th in 5A with 71 blocks.

Wiederin was one of only two unanimous picks to the first team. The other was senior Logan Vogt of Waukee Northwest.

Ellison, a senior outside hitter, helped Ankeny to a 32-7 record, including a runner-up finish in the conference at 7-1. She ranked 13th in 5A with 313 kills.

Ankeny Centennial’s Sophia Heither tries to block a spike attempt by Ankeny’s Elle Isaacson during the Hawkettes’ victory in the Class 5A quarterfinals on Nov. 2 at Xtream Arena in Coralville. Heither has been named to the CIML Conference first team, while Isaacson was a second-team pick. (Photo by Evan Reiter)

Heither, a senior middle hitter, helped the Jaguars to a 27-9 mark and a trip to the state tournament. She ranked seventh in 5A with a .361 hitting percentage and was 16th in 5A with 72 blocks.

Isaacson, a junior outside hitter, helped the Hawkettes to a second straight semifinal appearance in 5A. She recorded 263 kills while tying for 15th in 5A with 44 aces.

Rinehart, a junior libero, tied for sixth in 5A with 51 aces and ranked ninth in 5A with 352 digs. VanBruggen, a freshman outside hitter, led Centennial with 262 kills.

Pollock, a senior outside hitter, contributed 240 digs. Snyder, a senior outside hitter, had 177 kills.

Quinn Roush, a senior middle hitter, led 5A and ranked seventh in the entire state with 112 blocks. She also ranked ninth in 5A with a .355 hitting percentage.

Kellen Roush, a sophomore setter, ranked third in 5A and 19th in the entire state with 908 assists.