It was a struggle for the IKM-Manning Wolves volleyball team last season with just four wins, but with a new season right around the corner, the team is excited for a new journey.

The AHSTW Vikings faced bumps in the road during its 2023 season finishing with a 6-4 record, taking an early exit in the 1A – Second Round Game 42-0 to the Underwood Eagles.
Despite a tough ending to last season, the Vikings are ready to get back to work as they open this season on the road Aug. 30 against the Tri-Center Trojans. Last season, the Trojans finished 3-6, eliminated in the A – First Round Game 35-0 by Akron-WestField.

The Exira-EHK Spartans volleyball team is ready to get back to work after coming off a season where they finished 10-13 making it to the Class 1A – Region 4 Quarterfinal Game Oct. 18, losing in four sets to the CAM Cougars.
During the 2023 season, the Spartans were led by Brooklyn Flathers with 220 assists, Taryn Petersen with 105 digs, and Jaelynn Petersen with 171 kills, 39 blocks, and 34 serve aces.

The HCHS Cyclones volleyball team finished their 2023 season going 9-24, including losing their final eight matches. However, with a new year and roster in front of them, they are ready to get back to work and play hard.
“I’m excited to start this upcoming volleyball season to see what we can, do as a team, on the volleyball court,” said Sophomore Avery Manz.

After a 2023 campaign in which the AHSTW Vikings volleyball team finished 11-22, including losing their final two matches of the season, they are ready to dig deep and play strong this season.
“We are extremely excited to get things started this year,” said Vikings Head Coach Kelsey Fraher. “We have a solid group of hard working girls, and are looking forward to seeing what we can do this season.”

After a season in which the HCHS Cyclones football team dealt with injuries and an uncharacteristic 35-27 playoff loss in the first round, the Cyclones are ready to get back to business.

Incoming IKM-Manning Junior Grace Carroll is excited to open the volleyball season starting with a scrimmage at Atlantic High School where they will be one of 16 schools in attendance.
“I’m very excited,” Carroll said. “I think our team is going to do really well this year. I think we’re more prepared for this season, and we’re so excited to get started with our new teammates and just have a blast this year.”

HCHS’s multi-sport athlete Aubree Wegner just wrapped up her freshman year with the biggest smile on her face, starting off slow with volleyball and basketball, but finishing strong with track and field and softball.

HCHS’s multi-sport athlete Macy Mueller is only steps away from her senior season getting underway.
“Being a senior is your last of firsts,” Mueller said. “It’s a different perspective, but I’m super excited to step out and be a leader this season.”

IKM-Manning Wolves Junior Alikxa McGinn and Sophomore Anna Stangl took home awards in the Western Iowa All Conference list for their efforts in softball. McGinn received honorable mention, while Stangl took home 2nd Team.

Recently, six members of the AHSTW Vikings softball team were recognized for their efforts. Etta Partlow and Graycen Partlow made 1st Team, Bella Lamp got 2nd Team, and Loralei Wahling, Clara Pace, and Kennedy Wyman received honorable mention in the Western Iowa All Conference list.

Eight Cyclones recently received awards in the Hawkeye Ten All Conference for their efforts in baseball, where they won 27 games as a team, including making an appearance at their second consecutive state tournament berth.
Quinn Koesters and Braydon Ernst made 1st Team, Colton Schneider, Brett Heese, and Cade Sears made 2nd Team, while Caleb Schleis, Brock Lemrick, and Matthew Sorfonden received honorable mention.

Harlan 2019 alum and current University of Nebraska starting pitcher Brett Sears recently got drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the seventh round as the 221st overall pick in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft.

Sometimes a game can come down to just one pitch to define your season, and that certainly proved to be case for the HCHS baseball team Monday in Cedar Rapids in the Class 3A – Quarterfinal Game when North Polk Comet Sophomore Chase Fjelland launched a 2-out, 2-run walk-off single off Freshman Cyclone Colton Schneider over the head of Junior Cyclone Jozef Reisz winning the game 5-4 ending the Cyclones season.

AHSTW’s Halle Goodman is halfway done with high school with an already standout athletic career where she’s played volleyball, basketball, soccer, and softball.