Simpson volleyball ready to rise in 2025

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Simpson College women's volleyball team kicks off its first season under head coach Dani Kohut Lynch with a pair of nonconference matches next weekend in Pella.

The Storm were picked seventh in the 2025 American Rivers Conference Preseason Coaches Poll after finishing 9-16 overall and 3-5 in conference play a year ago.

Kohut Lynch inherits a strong returning core, led by all-conference outside hitter Emily Williams, senior middle Peyton Mitchell, and senior setter Morgan DenBeste. With a competitive mindset, Simpson looks to climb the standings in an increasingly deep league.

"The conference is getting better and better every year, and I am very excited to be back in the A-R-C with this group of young women," said Kohut Lynch. "We have a great core leadership group returning and after this spring season they made it very evident that they are ready to put in the work this fall. We know every conference match is going to be a dog fight, and we are ready to start the season."

Simpson is set to face Macalester and Bethany Lutheran during its opening weekend in Pella.

NEW LEADERSHIP

• Dani Kohut Lynch was announced as Simpson's head coach in December 2024, returning to the A-R-C after a successful six-year stint at Luther from 2011-17.
• Under her direction, Luther evolved into one of the top teams in the conference, garnering regional rankings and receiving national ranking votes in 2015, 2016, and 2017. She was named the Iowa Conference Coach of the Year on two occasions (2013 and 2016), coached the conference's Freshman of the Year in 2015, and mentored 10 all-conference players, one of whom achieved all-region status.
• Since 2018, Kohut Lynch has continued to make an impact on the volleyball community by coaching at Waukee High School and Ankeny High School, two of Iowa's premier high school programs. She was named the West District Coach of the Year in 2018 and qualified for the State Volleyball Tournament three times.

KEY RETURNERS (2024 STATS)

• Emily Williams, junior outside hitter (283 kills, 211 digs, 31 blocks, 21 aces)
• Jada Schmidt, junior outside hitter (197 kills, 79 digs, 34 blocks, 20 aces)
• Emmy Seiler, sophomore right side hitter (185 kills, 70 digs, 29 blocks)
• Peyton Mitchell, senior middle blocker (120 kills, 62 blocks, 15 aces)
• Morgan DenBeste, senior setter (506 assists, 227 digs, 38 aces)

2025 SCHEDULE | 2025 ROSTER

2025 AMERICAN RIVERS CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON POLL

1. Coe (23-8, 7-1 A-R-C) - 62 points
2. Dubuque (24-10, 6-2 A-R-C) - 53 points
3. Nebraska Wesleyan (21-9, 5-3 A-R-C) - 45 points
4. Wartburg (18-12, 5-3 A-R-C) - 45 points
5. Central (20-9, 5-3 A-R-C) - 41 points
6. Loras (16-15, 4-4 A-R-C) - 28 points
7. Simpson (9-16, 3-5 A-R-C) - 26 points
8. Buena Vista (5-20, 0-8 A-R-C) - 15 points
9. Luther (5-24, 1-7 A-R-C) - 9 points