Players to Watch at Iowa Top 250 Expo: Outside Hitters

<p>The Prep Dig Iowa Top 250 Expo in Grimes is an exciting way to usher in a new club season. We’ve already got plenty of talented athletes signed up for this one, and more names will surely be added in the days ahead.</p> <p>Of course, we want to get you primed for this event by giving a shoutout to a few talented athletes that are already signed up for the expo. These previews will obviously not be 100% comprehensive. After all, the point of an expo is to discover new talents and showcase everyone’s skills!</p> <p>So, here are just a few outside hitters on the entry list to keep an eye on.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="132854" first="Arra" last="Cottrell"] - 6’1 OH/RS - Pleasant Valley - Class of 2022</strong></p> <p>We absolutely cannot lose sight of uncommitted 2022s at this time of year, and Cottrell is a really good one to follow. She hits a heavy ball and is versatile enough to pass and play defense in the backcourt. This outside hitter will show all those things in Grimes.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="79708" first="Ava" last="Schubert"] - 6’1 OH/RS - Assumption - Class of 2023</strong></p> <p>Schubert has been tearing it up at our Prep Dig events for a while now. I’ve seen it first hand. That dominance has also translated to the high school and club season, where Schubert has established herself as one of Iowa’s most lethal attackers. Whether she’s on the left or right pin, she’s always a force.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="135825" first="Brooklyn" last="Roder"] - 6’0 OH - Lawton-Bronson - Class of 2023</strong></p> <p>Roder boasts a variety of skills, including putting down <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Fhypy">one of the most hilarious kills of the entire high school season</a>. Even as a pin hitter, she can hit off of one foot behind the setter and has some stout passing technique, too. She should continue to raise her stock when she participates in the expo.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="79710" first="Brynn" last="Smith"] - 5’6 OH - AGWSR - Class of 2023</strong></p> <p>It’s always fun to watch athletic pin hitters who are quick off the floor, and Smith fits that description. She leaps well beyond her frame and has a fast arm on the left side. Smith is also a skilled multi-sport with the coordination needed to play at the next level.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Devon Van Dyke - 5’10 OH - Cedar Falls - Class of 2023</strong></p> <p>The consistent success of the Cedar Falls volleyball program can be attributed to players like Van Dyke. Like many of the others on this feature, Van Dyke is good enough to play on either pin and can terminate in plenty of out-of-system situations. She will have plenty more chances to make an impact on the big stage.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Maggie Johnson - 5’11 OH/MB - Assumption - Class of 2024</strong></p> <p>Johnson is the second Assumption player to appear on this feature, and her contributions were vital to the program in her sophomore campaign. She can play on the outside or in the middle, so I’ll be interested to see what she puts on display in Grimes.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Molly Shafer - 5’11 OH - Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont - Class of 2025</strong></p> <p>Lastly, we have a 2025 with a fiery on-court demeanor and a desire to do whatever it takes to win. Shafer was a go-to offensive option for Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont this year, and she will continue to grow into a bigger role as her prep career moves forward. Watch out for this one.</p>