Part 1 - Much Respect As Iowa Athletes Talk About Their Competitors Across The Net

Since the middle of March, we all have been trying to fill the void of volleyball in our lives. From athletes to their parents, and coaches of all levels we are looking to grasp on to something positive with the sport we loved. This is an article that I’ve always had in the back of my mind, but I was always curious about the thoughts of players across the state on their counterparts. I reached out to a few and will reach out to more. Seeing these athletes talk about others they compete against gave me all the feels. This is so much more than a game, it’s the relationships and all the other immeasurables that makes this really special. Have a player you want to recognize that you have a respect for on the other side of the net? Email <a href="mailto:chris@prepdig.com">chris@prepdig.com</a> - I would love to do a multipart series on what other players have to say against the ones who may bring out the best in them. Dani Johnson (Osage Class of 2021) on [player_tooltip player_id="41239" first="Morgan" last="Middleton"] ((Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Class of 2021) - Title Photo with Johnson attacking and Middleton attacking in the background “My player is [player_tooltip player_id="41239" first="Morgan" last="Middleton"]. I have grown up playing her across the net and was lucky enough to play with her for two years in club. The way she plays and her determination for the game is contagious. Watching her work hard makes me want to work hard for her. She is always a threat across the court through club and school ball. Great person and player overall and she’s going to do some real damage at North Dakota State.”   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> The Class of 2021 is so deep in talent. Jazlin De Haan of MOC-Floyd Valley is one! <a href="https://t.co/VlsziiYUuF">pic.x.com/VlsziiYUuF</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1060236606865584133?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2018</a></blockquote> Lineya Wells (Sioux City East Class of 2021) on [player_tooltip player_id="41241" first="Jazlin" last="DeHaan"] (MOC-Floyd Valley Class of 2021): “I compete against Jazlin De Haan in club, and in school ball. She has always been a force to reckon with. She has an amazing serve, and hard attack. Not to mention she knows how to dig a ball, and never gives up on a play! I was so lucky to get to play with her on Iowa HP as well” [caption id="attachment_90023" align="aligncenter" width="207"] McLaughlin[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="17325" first="Kora" last="Ruff"] (Pleasant Valley Class of 2022) on [player_tooltip player_id="79238" first="Ella" last="McLaughlin"] (North Scott Class of 2022) "I play against Ella Mclaughlin in the MAC and she’s a key component to North Scott’s offense and is always tough for us to handle. She always gives 100% effort and keeps up the positivity for her team no matter what. She has so many shots that are difficult to defend and is a gritty player. It’s great to play against such a high quality player in a conference rival!" [caption id="attachment_90021" align="aligncenter" width="236"] Kubik[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="17332" first="Calia" last="Clubb"] (Clear Creek-Amana Class of 2022) on [player_tooltip player_id="17322" first="Hayden" last="Kubik"] (West Des Moines Valley Class of 2022) “Hayden is such a good competitor with an amazing swing and good volleyball IQ. It’s so much fun being able to compete across the net from her. She has challenged me the most to become a better blocker while playing.” [caption id="attachment_90020" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Schmierer in the black libero jersey for Iowa City Liberty.[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="17226" first="Elyse" last="Winter"] (Xavier Class of 2021) on [player_tooltip player_id="41282" first="Addison" last="Schmierer"] (Iowa City Liberty Class of 2021) “I have played against Addie Schmierer in both school and club volleyball. She is such a strong Libero who always knows where to be. She fills in every hole from the block and gets touches on balls that you think are hitting the ground. As a hitter you definitely want her on your side because she covers her hitters really well.” [caption id="attachment_74643" align="aligncenter" width="350"] [player_tooltip player_id="79250" first="Tatum" last="Carlson"][/caption] Peyton Cook (Underwood Class of 2021) on [player_tooltip player_id="79250" first="Tatum" last="Carlson"] (Tri-Center Neola Class of 2022) “I have played against [player_tooltip player_id="79250" first="Tatum" last="Carlson"] in club and high school games. She is an amazing volleyball player who I know works very hard to be the player she is today. Tatum is all over the back row and makes it very hard for my fellow teammates and me to put the ball on the floor when she is on the other side of the net.” [caption id="attachment_81237" align="aligncenter" width="264"] Wedgbury[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="41242" first="Alysen" last="Dexter"] (Des Moines Christian Class of 2021 on Emmy Wedgbury (Cedar Falls Class of 2021) "She is one of the best liberos I’ve had the opportunity to play with and against. I played with her at Iowa HP and against her during club this year. You can always count on her to pass the ball right up to the setter which makes everyone’s job easier! She is such an encouraging player on and off the court and makes an amazing teammate." [caption id="attachment_88822" align="aligncenter" width="384"] [player_tooltip player_id="79239" first="Kiersten" last="Schmitt"][/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="79239" first="Kiersten" last="Schmitt"] (Dyersville Beckman Class of 2022) on [player_tooltip player_id="78438" first="Olivia" last="Granstra"] (Western Christian Class of 2020) “I had the opportunity to play against [player_tooltip player_id="78438" first="Olivia" last="Granstra"], setter for Western Christian, in the state finals this past fall. I was really impressed with her ability to dump and attack the ball. She can and will put the ball wherever she wants.” [caption id="attachment_90018" align="aligncenter" width="386"] [player_tooltip player_id="17246" first="Layanna" last="Green"][/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="79254" first="Piper" last="Kirchoff"] (Dowling Catholic Class of 2022) on [player_tooltip player_id="17246" first="Layanna" last="Green"] (Waukee Class of 2021) “One of my favorite people I played against has got to be [player_tooltip player_id="17246" first="Layanna" last="Green"]. We are currently on the same club team but I love playing her during school season. She has the ability to always be at the ball no matter how quick the set is and can jump out of the gym. Also, she’s a leader and pushes her team to be great.”