Taking a Look at "319" Athletes - Cedar Valley Edition

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. Taking a look at 319, I just have to split into two parts because of the population it covers. When I see “319” I automatically think of Cedar Falls through Iowa City, but it covers so much more (and the amount of amazing volleyball players in this area is ridiculous). The Cedar Valley is a place where you can't drive more than ten minutes without running into a strong volleyball program from schools like Janesville, Wapsie Valley, and Dike-New Hartford to Cedar Falls, and everything in between. Here is my best attempt at listing some of the best of “319” - Cedar Valley edition. Ashlynn Kuhn - Hudson - Six Pack 2021 - Committed to Drake Kuhn is such a game changer. The future Drake Bulldog is someone you always have to know where they are. A middle blocker with uber quickness and always hits the ball square, she is incredibly deadly on a slide. She helped lead Hudson to the state tournament this past season and will be looking to get back with a really strong Senior class that includes another top athlete in [player_tooltip player_id="79021" first="Kylee" last="Sallee"] and setter Sara Hanson. [caption id="attachment_74508" align="alignright" width="300"] Kuehl[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="17239" first="Saari" last="Kuehl"] - Gladbrook-Reinbeck - Six Pack 2021 Long and athletic, Kuehl broke on to the radar as a Sophomore when she led GR to a state tournament appearance. With back to back All State honors, Kuehl is long, athletic, and can play six rotations where she can serve, receive and score. She is part of a really strong Class of 2021 core of outside hitters still available in Iowa. Emmersyn "Emmy" Wedgbury - Cedar Falls - CIA 2021 Wedgbury is such an all around athlete and well tuned player who can step in and do a little bit of everything. She played right side in winning a state title with Cedar Falls High School this past fall and has been a solid libero for CIA this winter. High academic, high character, the type of athlete and person you want on your side of the net. [caption id="attachment_74127" align="alignright" width="300"] Mahi[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="41247" first="Halia" last="Mahi"] - Cedar Falls - CIA 2021 Volleyball runs deep in the Mahi's and Halia is no different in how she is an accomplished indoor and beach player. Mahi attends Cedar Falls High School, but spends her summer and fall training for the outdoor game. When she plays club for CIA, you can see the beach game come out with her all around play, IQ, and ability to create a play for her teammates. [player_tooltip player_id="41244" first="Gabby" last="Gergen"] - Janesville - Six Pack 2021 - Committed to Wayne State Gergen is scrappy, a go-getter and has had plenty of experience at a high level. Gergen is part of an extremely decorated program at Janesville while also playing up an age level for Six Pack, being part of back to back Open level teams. She will head to Wayne State in Nebraska which competes in the NSIC, the top Division 2 conference in the country. [player_tooltip player_id="17233" first="Belle" last="Weber"] - Union - Flight [caption id="attachment_86528" align="alignright" width="238"] Weber[/caption] 2021 Weber has been a top outside hitter in the Cedar Valley since she first walked on the court for Union which is always a threat. A six rotation player, Weber was part of a Union team that had quite the postseason in 2019 with an upset win over Dike-New Hartford to get to state and then coming back from being down 0-2 and match point to defeating Assumption to advance to the state semifinals. [player_tooltip player_id="41330" first="Macey" last="Tisue"] - Dunkerton - CIA 2021 Tisue brings a dynamic style to the court as a middle blocker where she can do a little bit of everything. Really quick from side to side, Tisue also has quick hops to get up and snap to score points. She's been a key piece to CIA 17 Black this club season and will be part of a Dunkerton squad that has a solid core returning. [player_tooltip player_id="79237" first="Avery" last="Beckett"] - Waverly-Shell Rock - Six Pack 2022 Beckett, Brandt, Bronner, Oh My! Six Pack 16U has plenty of top athletes in the area which I failed to mentioned [player_tooltip player_id="79236" first="Morgan" last="Brandt"] in the 563, thinking Sumner-Fred was a 319. Beckett is a high flying pin hitter from Waverly-Shell Rock and has already played in big matches for the Go-Hawks. Her leaping ability is definitely eye catching and will be a clear go-to point scorer the next two years for WSR, really exciting to watch every time she gets a chance to attack. Alivia Bronner - Cedar Falls - Six Pack 2022 Bronner has such a relaxed platform as a libero in the Class of 2022. A strong athlete that has a ton of range, Bronner was a DS on that state championship squid for Cedar Falls. She was able to play up on the 17s squad for Six Pack at Triple Crown this past Presidents Day, showing she can dig and serve receive against some of the top athletes in the nation. [player_tooltip player_id="61558" first="Jenna" last="Brown"] - Don Bosco - Flight 2021 Brown is a key piece to the puzzle for Flight 17U who is so fun to watch. They are athletic, they smile, they have fun, and just do a lot of the fundamentals extremely well to get the job done. Brown puts up a solid block, but is dynamic with how she can run a variety of tempos and go from pin to pin to shut down the opposing attackers.