It’s common for some state-qualifying volleyball programs in Class 1-A and 2-A to have one or two exceptional seasons, followed quickly by a return to the pack.

When IKM-Manning graduated seven of its nine regulars from last year’s state semifinal team, its fellow western Iowa competitors undoubtedly were hoping that would be the case.

The Wolves had different thoughts. In its second year of whole-grade sharing, IKM-Manning is making a return trip to the big stage in Class 2-A. The ninth-rated Wolves (33-5) will tangle with second-rated Western Christian (37-9) in a 6 p.m. quarterfinal Thursday at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids.

“Tremendous satisfaction,’’ coach Kathy Lage said of getting a team filled with new faces to state. “We had to realize that these were the girls who pushed the teams of the past.’’

This is actually Lage’s fourth straight trip to state. Her 2006 Manning team reached the 1-A state quarterfinals, and her 2007 Manning team advanced to the 1-A semifinals.

“Really, when you think that we’ve been together for two years, wonderful things have happened,’’ Lage said. “All the teams that came before us made IKM-Manning what we are today.’’

While Lage’s past two state teams have had their sights firmly set on winning a title, this team perhaps enters with more modest expectations. One reason is the pairing against Western Christian, the Yankees of Iowa prep volleyball. The Wolfpack have won seven of the past eight 2-A state titles. This year, six of their nine losses have come to 3-A No. 1 Sioux City Heelan.

Another reason is the remarkable depth of the 2-A field. Top-rated Mount Vernon is dropping down after finishing second in 3-A the past two seasons. Fourth-rated Wapsie Valley is coming up after winning 1-A state titles in 2006 and 2007. No. 3 Dike-New Hartford features Iowa State recruit Hannah Willms, who leads all 2-A qualifiers with 5.1 kills per set.

IKM-Manning has a six-pronged attack, with seniors Ashley Hagedorn (2.0 kills per set), Becky Halbur (1.3) and Shelby Hansen (1.3), along with junior Alex Halbur (1.9), sophomore Liz Halbur (1.8) and freshman Kaylee Blake (1.4). Junior Ashley Lage (4.8 assists per set), the coach’s daughter, and senior Courtney Eischeid (2.9) handle the setting duties.

“It’s exciting now, that we actually get to be the ones going to state,’’ Ashley Lage said. “We all meshed together.’’

Kathy Lage said her daughter had confidence in the entire team all year.

“Ashley said, ‘We’re going back, and don’t you ever doubt that, Mom,’’ she said. “And I’m like, ‘I’m not. I’m not doubting that.’’’

Western Christian is led at the net by 5-foot-9 junior Abby Horstman (2.4 kills per set) and 5-11 freshman Brooke Wolterstorff (2.4), along with 6-0 senior Kim Elgersma (2.1) and 6-1 senior Abby Hoekstra (1.8).

Contact the writer:

444-1055, kevin.white@owh.com

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