Get To Know The Top Athletes In The "563"

I love area codes! Then again, I was that kid who read maps for fun. Iowa has a really strange outline of area codes. I was a 515 kid, the all of a sudden we were 641, and had a stint in the 712 (641 and 515 separation is probably it’s own chapter in itself). There is a little bit of ownership and pride in what area code you represent. If there comes a time you have to change your number which requires an area code change...thats an emotional time. We’re going to break down some the best in different area codes in Iowa, as warped as they may be. Let’s start with 563. [player_tooltip player_id="41257" first="Corinne" last="Meier"] - Dubuque Hempstead Class of 2021 I’ve been a huge fan of not only Meier’s game, but just her evolution as a player who has really risen up the ranks. She improves each time she steps on the court with a blend of athleticism and power. The ball sounds different when she strikes it and has shown she can score points from both pins. Hempstead will be a team to contend with in Class 5A as the MVC once again will be a huge battle night in and out. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Wildcat Nation brought a big crowd to see <a href="https://x.com/BobcatWDVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BobcatWDVB</a> make a major comeback down 0-2 to defeat Xavier in five sets. <a href="https://t.co/t4pOU9Kmw2">pic.x.com/t4pOU9Kmw2</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1194404759538688001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2019</a></blockquote> [player_tooltip player_id="79233" first="Meredith" last="Bahl"] - Western Dubuque Class of 2022 Silky smooth as they come as an outside hitter where Bahl can pass to attack with ease. A top attacker in the Class of 2022, Bahl is long and athletic where she just finds a way to score points. Extremely consistent in all facets of her game, Bahl will be one of the many returners back for the Bobcats who will look to make some noise in 2020. [player_tooltip player_id="79259" first="Madison" last="Maahs"] - Western Dubuque Class of 2022 When Maahs releases her set, it seems like a beach ball for her attackers to crush. She knows how to put it up for a spot for them to score. She’s gritty, she has a high IQ and she was such a difference maker for WD in their run to the state title match. There are intangibles about her that are immeasurable, but ultimately add to the win column for her side of the net. [player_tooltip player_id="79255" first="Ella" last="Koloc"] - West Delaware Class of 2022 I watched Koloc play at the state tournament and just loved her style. She was everywhere, scrappy, and just is one who gives the other side of the net a bunch of fits with her ability to put a serve reception on point and also take points away from the other side of the net. She connected well with [player_tooltip player_id="40905" first="Macey" last="Kleitsch"], the Grand View commit who was one of the top setters for West Delaware. Fingers crossed these athletes have a chance to compete to get back to the state softball tournament as well. [player_tooltip player_id="79708" first="Ava" last="Schubert"] - Davenport Assumption [caption id="attachment_92376" align="alignright" width="404"] Davenport Assumption[/caption] Class of 2023 Schubert just casually made her way into the Assumption starting lineup for basketball and made it to state, just like she did for volleyball. Schubert will be one of the top prospects in volleyball for the Class of 2023 with her power on the right side with a heavy left handed swing. The top player as a Freshman in the MAC, it will be fun to see her get back on the volleyball court and see what she can do with a large bulk of her Assumption teammates back in 2020. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Caffrey and Drake the Sophomore setting and scoring duo for <a href="https://x.com/WiltonIowaVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WiltonIowaVB</a> off to a quick start. Drake is the one facing a triple block. <a href="https://t.co/VTx00iH181">pic.x.com/VTx00iH181</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1194738692293824514?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2019</a></blockquote> [player_tooltip player_id="79247" first="Ella" last="Caffery"] - Wilton [player_tooltip player_id="79243" first="Kelsey" last="Drake"] - Wilton Class of 2022 Caffery and Drake have been quite the duo in their young careers at Wilton as standouts in multiple sports for the Beavers. Drake is a big time point scorer for volleyball and basketball while Caffery can set or hit, whatever her team needs. Wilton will be a favorite to get back to the state tournament and do some damage. Oh, and they will add [player_tooltip player_id="79266" first="Carly" last="Puffer"] to the roster in 2020 who was a standout for Tipton and is a really physical attacker. [player_tooltip player_id="17325" first="Kora" last="Ruff"] - Pleasant Valley [caption id="attachment_91037" align="alignright" width="300"] [player_tooltip player_id="17325" first="Kora" last="Ruff"][/caption] Class of 2022 The Class of 2022 is so deep in this area and you can’t talk about top players without mentioning [player_tooltip player_id="17325" first="Kora" last="Ruff"]. Some of the best hands in the state and the game just seems second nature to her always under control and finding a way to get the right matchup for her attackers. PV lost some talented athletes to graduation, but don’t sleep on them in 2020. [player_tooltip player_id="17244" first="Emma" last="Schubert"] - Davenport Assumption Class of 2021 Well trained and so fundamentally sound, Schubert is another six rotation outside who can score points, but also be a huge asset in the serve and pass game. She has no fear when it comes to attacking as she is so fast to the ball with a big arm. Emma and Ava are sisters and will look to close out Emma’s Senior year with some unfinished business in getting back to Cedar Rapids. [player_tooltip player_id="41287" first="Leah" last="Moeller"] - Dubuque Hempstead Class of 2021 Moeller is someone who will cause a ruckus in the middle and will take on a bigger role in 2020 for the Mustangs. She can play high and is dynamic getting from pin to pin. She has been playing for Iowa Rockets 17R and was one to notice at the Iowa Top 250 in Des Moines last December. She will be fun to watch as she heads into her Senior season with some colleges on her radar looking to pick up a steady and strong middle. [player_tooltip player_id="79239" first="Kiersten" last="Schmitt"] - Dyersville Backman Class of 2022 Really like Schmitt’s all around ability to do everything on the court. She’s touching near ten feet and has the ability to set or attack, whatever her team needs. Her upside is way up there for so many different positions. The value she adds to any gym or team is huge along with her ability to know what it takes to win. She has a state runner-up trophy under her belt and will be looking to lead the Blazers.