Small School Athletes with Big Potential

<p>If you watched Nebraska win the 2017 National Championship, you saw a team led by a player from one of the smallest high schools in Iowa. During her time at Holy Trinity Catholic, Mickaela Foecke set a State Record for Kills, brought home the school's first State Championship and was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year. While Foecke is a rare athlete, Iowa's smallest division continues to produce players with a great deal of talent and potential for the next level. These are some of the best class of 2019 athletes in 1A.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_16870" align="alignleft" width="215"]<a href="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Bree-Thompson.jpg"></a> Bree Thompson<br /> Photo Credit: Ben McDonald[/caption] <p>Any discussion of 1A has to start with Janesville. The 3-time Defending State Champions will be led by a trio of Seniors this year who have never known a season that didn't end with a State Title. The Wildcats go-to hitter is <strong>Bree Thompson</strong>. The 5'11" Outside Hitter was the 2017 1A State Player of the Year, already has 1,220 Career Kills, and is currently the top ranked Uncommitted athlete in the Prep Dig 2019 Iowa Player Rankings. Janesville also has one of the best Liberos in the State in, Wichita State commit, <strong>Lily Liekweg. </strong>Running the offense is 1st Team All-State setter <strong>Alisa </strong><strong>Bengen.</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> [caption id="attachment_16872" align="alignright" width="206"]<a href="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Emily-Box.jpg"></a> Emily Box<br /> Photo Credit: The Gazette[/caption] <p>At Holy Trinity Catholic, <strong>Emily Box </strong>continues Foecke's tradition of putting up huge Kill numbers. Box was the State Leader last year with 663 Kills. She also led her team in Digs and Blocks on her way to an appearance in the State Semi-Finals and a 1st Team All-State selection.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Gehlen Catholic features a powerful hitting duo of <strong>Katie Peters</strong> and <strong>Katelyn Langel. </strong>Peters led the team in Kills and Blocks in 2017 with Langel 2nd in both categories. Peters was 1st Team All-State and Langel 2nd Team All-State while leading the Jays to a State Runner-Up performance.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Other 1A athletes to watch:</h2> <p><strong>Taylor Meyer, </strong>Harris Lake-Park - Outside Hitter, 2nd Team All-State in 2017, 1,059 Career Kills, 816 Career Digs</p> <p><strong>Hayley Goedken, </strong>Starmont - Outside Hitter, 3rd Team All-State in 2017, 871 Career Kills, 1,188 Career Digs</p> <p><strong>Sadie Brobst, </strong>Tripoli - Setter, 3rd Team All-State in 2017, 1,619 Career Assists</p>