Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: St. Edmond volleyball returning letterwinners are (left to right) Ava Andrew, Faith Shirbroun, Chloe Palmer and Ava Underberg.

Coming off the best year since 2017, the St. Edmond volleyball team returns several key pieces to make another deep postseason run.

Along with returning rotation players Faith Shirbroun, Ava Underberg, Ava Andrew, Chloe Palmer and Abby Huss, the Gaels welcome in freshman Eden Horn — the daughter of current Iowa Central head volleyball coach and former University of Nebraska player Sara Horn — along with multi-sport standout Anna Lursen.

Sophia Schlienz, Madelyn Davis and Olivia Andrew are also back after seeing the varsity court last fall during a 19-12 season that included an appearance in the Class 1A regional semifinal round.

St. Edmond fell to BCLUW, who went on to play for the state championship against Ankeny Christian.

“We have our sights set pretty high,” SEHS head coach Heather Seeden said. “The girls have been working really hard the last two weeks and we have had a couple good showings during that time.

“We have 33 girls out for volleyball, which is the largest number we have had in several years. That includes a talented incoming freshman class.”

Underberg was second on the team last year with 197 kills, as Shirbroun added 93. Palmer had 46 while Ava Andrew was third with 234 digs and led the team with 62 service aces.

Horn and Underberg are set in the middle, with Huss setting and Davis being the return specialist. Shirbroun and Palmer are outside hitters, Ava Andrew the libero, Vandi a defensive specialist and Lursen in a utility role to start the year.

“We are taller this year,” Seeden said. “We plant o run the middles more, focusing a lot on our blocking and defensive coverage.”

Maggie Flaherty, Ella Vandi, Rihanna Myers and Breckyn Ulrich round out the varsity roster. Shirbroun, Schlienz, Olivia Andrew, Vandi, Myers and Ulrich were all members of the state softball team that finished fourth, Ava Andrew, Palmer and Huss helped the tennis team reach state and Lursen was a medalist at state track this past spring.

Competing in the North Central Conference, the Gaels finished 4-3, tying with Algona for third behind Humboldt and Webster City. The Wildcats are ranked in the preseason poll and are the favorites to claim another league title.

St. Edmond will compete in four tournaments throughout the season, starting with its own on Saturday. However, that one has been moved to Iowa Central due to the court being replaced at St. Edmond.

The Gaels will face off with Southeast Valley, Aplington-Parkersburg, Bishop Garrigan, Webster City and Pocahontas Area in the round-robin event. On Sept. 20, they head to Le Mars for the CYO with matches against Carroll Kuemper, Remsen St. Mary’s and Bishop Heelan.

St. Edmond also competes at the Hampton-Dumont/CAL Invitational and closes the year at the Algona Invitational.

They are now set to make their home debut on Tuesday vs. Storm Lake, as the first three matches are all scheduled for the new Gael gym.

Seeden will be assisted by Jenny Neverman this fall.

2025 ST. EDMOND VOLLEYBALL

Roster

Seniors — Madelyn Davis, Anna Lursen, Faith Shirbroun, Ava Andrew, Ava Underberg, Maggie Flaherty.

Juniors — Sophia Schlienz, Chloe Palmer, Abby Huss.

Sophomore — Olivia Andrew.

Freshmen — Ella Vandi, Eden Horn, Rihanna Myers, Breckyn Ulrich.

Schedule

Aug. 30 — host St. Edmond Invitational at Iowa Central.

Sept. 2 — Storm Lake; 4 — Hampton-Dumont/CAL; 11 — Iowa Falls-Alden; 15 — at Eagle Grove; 18 — at Clarion-Goldfield/Dows; 20 — at CYO in Le Mars; 25 — at Webster City.

Oct. 2 — Algona; 9 — at Clear Lake; 11 — at Hampton-Dumont/CAL Invitational; 14 — Manson Northwest Webster; 16 — Humboldt; 18 — at Algona Invitational.