New Underclassmen Burst On To Scene At Westside Tournament
Iowa is filled with high-quality volleyball which extends through all classes and even all ages. This was apparent at the Westside Tournament which featured top teams ranging from Class 1A to 5A, which West Des Moines Dowling took the top…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIowa is filled with high-quality volleyball which extends through all classes and even all ages. This was apparent at the Westside Tournament which featured top teams ranging from Class 1A to 5A, which West Des Moines Dowling took the top spot at the end of the day. Between 16 teams in two gyms, I managed to see all teams live and get a least a glimpse of some of the top athletes with some being underclassmen (Freshmen and Sophomores) – take a look at what underclassmen stood out at the Westside Invitational at Cedar Rapids Jefferson.
VanHook to Mehaffy, solid combination today for Marion. pic.twitter.com/acCiAo1rz9
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) October 12, 2019
Avery Van Hook – Marion – Class of 2023
Elise Mehaffy – Marion – Class of 2022
These two might not be old enough to drive being Freshmen and Sophomores, but they are running the show for Marion who had a really strong day, showing they will be a tough team to compete with in Class 4A. Marion took down the eventual champion, Dowling Catholic in pool play before losing to Ankeny Centennial in the finals. Van Hook is a lefty who can set and swing, playing all the way around. She has a mature presence about her on the court where she sure doesn’t play like a Freshman. Soft hands and a solid contact point to score points. Mehaffy plays with such a high IQ. She can set, swing on the outside, and defend at the net and the backcourt. Having a young setting tandem who are playing multiple positions can be tough, but not for Marion – they are a well-oiled machine.
Stuelke from CR WashHannah Stuelke – Cedar Rapids Washingon – Class of 2022
Stuelke was impressive from the outside. Her jumping ability and strong arm was a scoring threat for the Warriors. I kept thinking, “Wow, this athlete is something special”. She is – she’s committed to Iowa and is the number one ranked player on our other Prep Network Site – Iowa Prep Girls Hoops.
Lainy Thoren – Grundy Center – Class of 2022
Thoren is a key part of the Grundy Center offense that is incredibly balanced. A high IQ on when to tip, where to tip, swing, and score makes her quite a weapon for the Spartans. Thoren also is able to move pin to pin to block on either side. A definite force at the net for Grundy Center who will definitely be a favorite to make some noise in Class 2A.
Ella Koloc – West Delaware – Class of 2022
Koloc was so solid as a libero for the Hawks this past Saturday. She is gritty, quick, and is always providing a pass on point to one of the top setters in Class 4A, Macey Kleitsch. West Delaware runs a really fast offense and everything seems to just click for them making them tough to stop. Koloc can take pace off the ball and also provide the contact they need to get in system and run the show.
Allie Barlow – Cedar Rapids Jefferson – Class of 2023
Watching CR Jeff, their setter was really quick to the ball, always getting her hands on it, and able to distribute to a variety of hitters. After seeing the number nine under grade level I was shocked. Allie Barlow is only a Freshman for the J-Hawks, but is showing a lot of promise in her young career. Great feed, great hands, and the ability to distribute to an open hitter provides a solid foundation to a promising career.
Ella Becker – Ankeny Centennial – Class of 2022
I was really excited to see Centennial play because I knew they would have a new batch of athletes after graduating plenty of talented Seniors from their state championship team a year ago. Becker is extremely solid as a libero for the Jags. She is solid in serve receive, can dig a hard-driven swing, but most of all she has intangibles that are essential for liberos. They make a presence, Becker talks, she plays with fire, and she is a definite spark for her team.
Madelyn Norton – Dike-New Hartford – Class of 2023
Norton is highly effective for Dike-New Hartford that has another incoming class of Freshmen that are going to making an impact – they already are. Norten is a lefty that is long and athletic who can set and swing, making her quite the swiss army knife. DNH also has Brielle Coulter who is also a setter and is leading the team in assists and has over 100 digs.