The Kennedy Girls’ Volleyball team started their season off going 2-1 at MVC-MAC volleyball tournament hosted by Kennedy on Aug. 29. They won against North Scott 21-12 and 21-14.

They then defeated Pleasant Valley, a highly ranked team with a score of 21-15 and 21-14. Kennedy finished playing the Bettendorf Bulldogs, the 2012 defending state volleyball champions, but fell short with a score of 16-21 and 14-21.

Madi Meier,sr., said, “We are playing really well, last year we were well known, but this year we have hidden talent so you better watch out,”

This is because of the many talented new players on the team, “They [the new varsity players] bring energy and challenge the returning varsity players,” Tim Johnson, assistant varsity coach said.

One of the new players is Kendal Meier, fr., a defense specialist, which is a back row player, along with her sister Madi.

“It’s really fun because we don’t get the opportunity to play together very often.” M. Meier said. “It is also cool because I feel I’m her role model.”

The cougars played the defending 2011 Iowa City High state champions Sept. 3. The game was a close match with Kennedy taking the lead 25-22. In the end, Iowa City High won the match 18-25, 13-25, 18-25.

There were many highlights to the game such as Paige Frank’s, fr., kills as right side, Nikki Dean’s, sr., blocks, M. Meier’s digs and Brinley Milbrath’s, so., kills as a middle hitter.

Johnson says this team has lots of young potential and they are ready for the next game. “We are starting off this season faster and stronger than last year, especially because we defeated Pleasant Valley at the MVC-MAC volleyball tournament,” Johnson said