Central Iowa Sleepers – Keep Tabs On These Athletes

There are athletes who have been on the radar since they've stepped on the court.  However, for plenty of college coaches, it's seeing the potential, finding the next breakout athlete who can contribute to their program, a major upside to their game.  All it takes is a mutual belief for an athlete to believe in the program at the next level, with the same for the coach to believe in the athlete. Here are some Central Iowa hidden gems to keep on the list who are ready to breakout and be the next great catch at the next level. 

Nessa Johnson Nessa Johnson S Gilbert | 2021 State IA - Iowa PowerPlex 17 Red (Title Photo) 

Class of 2021 

Johnson is another dual sport athlete where she most recently played for Gilbert's state tournament basketball team.  Long, athletic, left handed, Johnson can set and swing from the right side. She can also provide a solid block as well.  For her club ball at Power Plex, she has primarily been a setter that brings an element of physicality to the position with her presence at the net. 

Calliope Coppola Calliope Coppola 5'8" | DS/L Dowling | 2022 State IA - Club Ignit 16 Blue

Class of 2022

Coppola is bound for a breakout once club resumes and even once the high school season gets back on track.  Coppola started as a Freshman for Dowling Catholic, racking up nearly 150 kills. After tearing her ACL during club season of 2019, Coppola is clear and is now one of the top ball control athletes for Club Ignit 16 Blue who is one of the top 16s teams in the country.  From serve receive to taking pace off a hard driven swing, she is one you can't sleep on with her overall athleticism and all around ability. 

Madison Geise - IPVA 16 Black 

Class of 2022

Geise has such great athleticism that is seen in both positions she plays on the court.  As a setter she gets her hands to the ball and anticipates extremely well. In the front row, Geise is a right side attacker where she is extremely terminal.  She has all the intangibles and just a command of the court, exactly what you need out of a six rotation player who can contribute multiple ways. 

Emily Byrd Emily Byrd 5'9" | S North Polk | 2022 State IA - Ohaha 16 National 

Class of 2022

Byrd is everywhere on the court with her quickness and speed, perfect for a setter with a high motor.  A North Polk prep, Byrd has a smooth release and can push from pin to pin. She has spent time on the Ohana 16 National squad as well as the 18s this season.  This summer she will head to the softball diamond. Her intentions are to major in math or engineering while carrying a 3.8 GPA. 

Emma Cross - IPVA 16 Black 

Class of 2022

Cross just hits the ball square and its heavy for the defense to receive.  Cross and Geise team up for IPVA 16 Black which has a great chemistry and a scrappiness to them when I saw them play at the Wisconsin Dells JVA Showcase.  Cross will definitely get plenty of swings for Des Moines Christian where they return three of their top four attackers from a regional final team in 2019. 

Sam Schroeder - Club Ignit Select 16 Blue

Class of 2022

Sneaky effective.  Schroder is on a Club Ignit team that has one of the top outside hitters in the Class of 2022 in Hayden Kubik Hayden Kubik 6'1" | OH West Des Moines Valley | 2022 State #11 Nation IA , rising prospect Ava Reynolds Ava Reynolds 5'11" | OH Ankeny | 2022 State #155 Nation IA , and Chloe Largent Chloe Largent 6'1" | RS AC/GC | 2022 State IA on the right side.  No secret that their pins are a major part of their offense. However, you sleep on Schroeder and she will make you pay, call her the landlord. A quick snap, great feet, and she works extremely hard in transition to be available, Schroeder knows how to work a variety of tempos to be open for setter Lauren Carter Lauren Carter 5'11" | S Winterset | 2022 State #43 Nation IA to find her. 

Kiersten Baker Kiersten Baker OH Urbandale | 2021 State IA - Iowa PowerPlex 17 Red 

Class of 2021

Urbandale is going to be a team to talk about this fall and Kiersten Baker Kiersten Baker OH Urbandale | 2021 State IA is going to be one to recognize out of the middle.  Super fast twitch type of athlete, Baker can definitely score off a fast tempo set and find the deep corner. She

has played in two regional finals this past year in volleyball and basketball while also maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

Kinsie Zinnel Kinsie Zinnel DS/L Boone | 2021 State IA - Iowa Heart 18

Class of 2021

Zinnel is quietly effective with how she is extremely under control with her movements and has great platform awareness.  She keeps it quiet and is the right spot to get her team in system. She definitely was one to watch at the Iowa Top 250 which was coming off a stellar high school season.