<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rankings are updated in Iowa for the Class of 2022 and 2023 and between the two classes we added nearly 70 players. Our rankings serve as a resource for college coaches, clubs, and fans of volleyball. They are a way for coaches to see who is playing for what club and to see who is committed and who isn't. Being on the list, athletes get their articles tagged to their name. We will continue to provide coverage of Iowa athletes as more national events come in the late spring months. </span></p>
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<p><strong>Who Is Rising In The Class of 2022</strong></p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="132900" first="Emma" last="Salker"] - Sergeant-Bluff Luton - MVP United </strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I'll be honest, Western Iowa needs some Prep Dig love. There are so many athletes in this part of the state who are impact players on a state and regional level and one of those is [player_tooltip player_id="132900" first="Emma" last="Salker"], a long, athletic middle blocker. Salker played a key part in SBL's return trip to the state tournament and her activity along the net was extremely impressive. The Warriors are now the team to beat in the Western side of the state and their rise to the top has been exciting to follow. She is in the heart of NSIC, Summit League, and GPAC land and any of those schools would be happy to have her on their roster. </span></p>
[caption id="attachment_137010" align="aligncenter" width="413"]<img class="wp-image-137010" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/03/DSC03153-e1616780997135-257x300.jpg" alt="" width="413" height="482" /> [player_tooltip player_id="132845" first="Lauren" last="Williams"][/caption]
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="132845" first="Lauren" last="Williams"] - Council Bluffs St. Albert - SWI </strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Williams put on a show from the right side at the state tournament for the Saintes and her ability to jump is impressive. The lefty who can hit a variety angles has so much athleticism that her best volleyball days are coming. Such a fun athlete and who knows, maybe we'll see her in jumping events come state track time. </span></p>
[caption id="attachment_118941" align="aligncenter" width="411"]<img class=" wp-image-118941" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/12/Emily-Byrd.jpg" alt="" width="411" height="274" /> [player_tooltip player_id="79287" first="Emily" last="Byrd"], 2022, S, North Polk High School.[/caption]
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="79287" first="Emily" last="Byrd"] - North Polk - Ohana</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Byrd has such a smooth release and is on point with all of her tempos. She has been quietly rising into an elite group of setters in the Class of 2022. Great footwork, hands are money, and she has a high IQ to add to her repertoire, which makes her a total package to have in the gym at plenty of levels. </span></p>
[caption id="attachment_115572" align="aligncenter" width="411"]<img class=" wp-image-115572" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/11/DSC03052.jpg" alt="" width="411" height="274" /> [player_tooltip player_id="132847" first="Reese" last="Johnson"][/caption]
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="132847" first="Reese" last="Johnson"] - Denver - Flight</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Johnson might be one of the top all around athletes in the Cedar Valley as someone who is an All State setter and also a key contributor to Denver's basketball squad as well. She's scrappy, a gamer, and just has that coach like demeanor on the court. Class 2A is going to be brutal next year with so many top athletes coming back from the likes of Dike-New Hartford, Denver, Sumner-Fred, Western Christian, and Boyden-Hull </span></p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="103711" first="Katie" last="Stephens"] - Burlington Notre Dame - [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets']</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stephens won a state title with Burlington Notre Dame and is the type of athlete where she can play on either pin, probably middle if needed with her athletic and jumping ability. She is fun to see with an aggressive approach and her hangtime is something to be reckoned with, bringing a solid presence to the net. </span></p>
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<p><strong>Who Is Rising In the Class of 2023</strong></p>
<p><img class=" wp-image-115496 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/11/DSC02991.jpg" alt="" width="492" height="328" /></p>
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108448" first="Kayla" last="Knowles"] - Denver - CIA </strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I think Knowles grew between the state tournament and seeing her this club season. A 6'0 outside hitter, Knowles is a solid target for her setter, [player_tooltip player_id="132847" first="Reese" last="Johnson"], to dish to this past high school season. A high contact point, and an aggressive swing, she knows how to score points. As she continues to develop her backcourt game she will be a six rotation scoring threat, adding to an already powerful style of play. </span></p>
<p><img class=" wp-image-129906 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/02/Jessie-Julius2.jpg" alt="" width="494" height="329" /></p>
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108449" first="Jessie" last="Julius"] - Williamsburg - [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets']</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Julius is another six rotation outside who can do it all in the front and backrow. A strong and physical athlete, Julius can score points, but also is really solid and steady from serve receive to being able to take pace off the ball in the backrow. This is really strong Rockets squad who will be fun to keep tabs on during Qualifier season. </span></p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="135821" first="Amelia" last="Dugger"] - Decorah - CIA </strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I was blown away by Dugger when she played up on the CIA 17 Black team for a stop on the Tour of Iowa. She hits the ball square and solid out of the middle and moves extremely well. So dynamic with her ability to block, transition, and making herself available to her setter. She is one to watch who will be sure to continue her development through the higher-level competition she will see. </span></p>
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<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="132685" first="Libby" last="Lansing"] - Western Dubuque - Six Pack </strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lansing busted out with a huge performance at the state tournament for Western Dubuque and has been able to carry that momentum during the club season. Long and athletic, Lansing can get from pin to pin, causing mismatches for the opposing side of the net where they always have to factor in her block. </span></p>
<p><img class=" wp-image-129877 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/02/Shelby-Kimm.jpg" alt="" width="489" height="326" /></p>
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="79689" first="Shelby" last="Kimm"] - Iowa City Liberty - [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets']</strong></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kimm is extremely dynamic with her ability to play multiple positions. Whether its middle or on the pin, her value is in her versatility. As a well rounded athlete, she is set up to make an impact in multiple places, making her a swiss army knife type player at the next level. </span></p>
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