Iowa Big Blocks Rock!

<p>Every team needs good blockers if they plan to be effective during the regular fall season.  A lot of the flash belongs to the hitters for a team, but without a good back row and/or a good block, each game becomes a volley of attrition and games just aren’t as interesting, to be honest.  Let’s take a look at who is putting up the best walls right now, who they have been playing, and who they face this coming week.</p> <p><strong>Katy Ryerson (2023, RS/OH)</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_42449" align="alignright" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-42449 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2019/04/Faith-DeRonde-e1555451269381-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> [player_tooltip player_id="17324" first="Faith" last="DeRonde"], Oskaloosa.[/caption] <p>Ryerson has the highest number of total blocks so far this season.  She is a 6’2" RS/OH playing for West Marshall and has 38 total blocks, 26 of which were solo blocks, in 19 sets, 1 assist, 49 kills with a .394 efficiency, 31 digs (1.6 DPS), and a team-high 9 service aces with an 87.5% serve efficiency.  The Trojans have played such teams the first week or so of the season with losses to Oskaloosa, Van Meter, and Grundy Center, and wins against Creston, Carlisle, Davis County, and Centerville.  With numbers of blocks this high, Ryerson must have been facing some pretty impressive hitters, and she did.  Oskaloosa has <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="17324" first="Faith" last="DeRonde"] (2022, OH)</strong>, who has had 74 kills with a .317 efficiency, Carlisle has <strong>AshleeKay Christensen (2025, OH)</strong> with 69 kills in 27 sets, Van Meter has <strong>Abby Matt (2023, OH)</strong> with 50 kills in 18 sets and a .325 efficiency, and Grundy Center has <strong>Carlie Willis (2024, OH)</strong> with 74 kills in 18 sets and a .392 efficiency.  Given this information, it is no wonder that Ryerson has been able to top the blocking list.  West Marshall takes on Saydel on September 9th.  </p> <p><strong>Zavyr Metzger (2022, OH)</strong></p> <p>Metzger is a 6’ OH playing for West Lyon this fall and has had 37 total blocks in 25 sets.  She also had 68 kills with a .255 efficiency and 1 dig.  West Lyon has played against hitters like <strong>Natalie Nielsen (2022, MH)</strong> for Akron-Westfield who is 6’3" and has had 36 kills in 14 sets with a .282 efficiency, as well as<strong> Lauren Saathoff (2023, OH/RS)</strong> with 50 kills in 14 sets with a .233 efficiency, Rock Valley’s <strong>Ranae Van Voorst (2023, OH)</strong> who has had 20 kills in 6 sets with a .232 efficiency, and Central Lyon’s <strong>Regan Van Wyhe (2022, OH)</strong> with 14 kills in 6 sets with a .265 efficiency and <strong>Desta Hoogendoorn (2024, MH)</strong> with 10 kills in 6 sets and a .450 efficiency.  West Lyon faces MOC-Floyd Valley after the holiday weekend.</p> [caption id="attachment_149283" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-149283 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/GlenwoodSummer2021-crop-1458x958-1626762124-150x150.png" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> [player_tooltip player_id="79240" first="Brynlee" last="Arnold"], class of 2022, MH for Glenwood High School. Photo far right.[/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="79240" first="Brynlee" last="Arnold"] (2022, MH)</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_137010" align="alignright" width="150"]<img class="wp-image-137010 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/03/DSC03153-e1616780997135-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> [player_tooltip player_id="132845" first="Lauren" last="Williams"] (RS/MH, 2022) St. Albert, tips a ball over the block at the 2020 Iowa State Volleyball Tournament.[/caption] <p>Brynlee is a 6’3" middle for Glenwood and has 34 blocks this season in 33 sets, has a team-high 79 kills with a .265 efficiency, 21 digs, and 11 service aces with an 85.5% serve efficiency.  She has faced such hitters as Sidney’s <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="108453" first="Kaden" last="Payne"] (2023, MH)</strong> who has 95 kills in 40 sets with a .218 efficiency, Tri-Center’s <strong>Mikenzie Brewer (2024, MH/OH)</strong> with 52 kills in 25 sets with a .261 efficiency, Logan-Magnolia’s <strong>Ruby Nolting (2022, OH)</strong> who has 32 kills in 16 sets, Missouri Valley’s <strong>Ella Myler (2023, MH/OH)</strong> who has 76 kills in 29 sets with a .392 efficiency, and St. Albert’s <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="132845" first="Lauren" last="Williams"] (2022, RS/MH)</strong> who has 56 kills in 22 sets with a .455 efficiency.  Glenwood plays Red Oak on September 7th.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>