What New, Familiar Names Are Leading Western Iowa?
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Who is crushing it in Western Iowa? I love it when East meets West when it comes to tournament time where some of these matchups are so intriguing. Same goes for players. Western Iowa is a little bit of the…
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Continue ReadingWho is crushing it in Western Iowa? I love it when East meets West when it comes to tournament time where some of these matchups are so intriguing. Same goes for players. Western Iowa is a little bit of the “Wild West”. There are athletes who play club in Council Bluffs, Omaha, Sioux City, and Sioux Falls. A lot of these athletes will play for their local high school aau programs and be involved in plenty of other activities as well. Western Iowa is doing it all and here are some athletes at the top.
Clara Hoegh Clara Hoegh 5'8" | S Boyden-Hull | 2025 State IA – Boyden-Hull
Setter – Sophomore
Hoegh is new to Boyden-Hull where she played previously at Byron, Minnesota near Rochester. She was a setter for Northern Lights 15-1 who was one of the top 15s team in the country. She has made an instant impact for the Comets who are coming off of back to back state tournament appearances. She has over 350 assists and nearly 100 digs. Her IQ and all around play will be key for Boyden-Hull in a loaded conference, she is a big time addition to the area.
Jayci Graeve – South Central Calhoun
Setter – Sophomore
South Central Calhoun has had a huge start to their season with a 28-5 record. They have a rivalry match with Manson NW Webster tonight that will be key for their conference and seeding. Graeve is one of the leaders in the state when it comes to assists in any class with nearly 600 assists. Her top two targets are Riley Batta Riley Batta 5'7" | OH South Central Calhoun | 2023 State IA and Keira Hammen who have over 200 kills individually. Another sophomore to have tabs on would be attacker Brenna McAllister.
Stella Winterfeld Stella Winterfeld 5'10" | OH Western Christian | 2023 State #172 Nation IA – Western Christian
Outside Hitter – Senior
Committed to South Dakota State
Winterfeld is one of the top outside hitters in the state where she has given her verbal commit to South Dakota State. She is electric from the pin and she can attack from anywhere for her Western Christian team. The Wolfpack have not lost to an Iowa opponent where their three losses have come from top programs out of Omaha. They will be heading to Urbandale this weekend and will see top competition. Winterfeld will continue to be the go to attacker for Western as they will look to make their way back to the state tournament.
Bailey Boeve Bailey Boeve 6'0" | OH Hinton | 2026 State IA – Hinton
Attacker – Freshman
There’s a new team to contend with in Western Iowa and that’s Hinton who is off to a 16-0 start. They had plenty of statement wins this past weekend when they took on the Sioux City East Invite. Wins over Abe Lincoln, Sheldon, and Heelan are just a few worth noting. Boeve is only a freshman and is the leading attacker with over 150 kills and hitting over .400. The Blackhawks have some underclassmen who are putting up some big numbers which include setter Ashlyn Kovarna Ashlyn Kovarna 5'10" | S Hinton | 2024 State IA and other juniors in Gabbie Friesen, and Carlene Hicklin. A match to have tabs on would be their matchup against Unity Christian on October 4.
Ava Lloyd Ava Lloyd 5'9" | OH Sioux City North | 2026 State IA – Sioux City North
Attacker – Freshman
Another freshman who is storming the court and leading Sioux City North to a solid start is Ava Loyd. Lloyd and Bailey Boeve Bailey Boeve 6'0" | OH Hinton | 2026 State IA are club teammates on their MVP squad out of the Sioux City area. Lloyd has 125 kills and just as many digs where she can play all the way around for the North Stars. Another big time attacker for North is senior Madalyn Welp who is the team leader in kills.
Azaria Green Azaria Green 6'0" | MB Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln | 2023 State IA – Council Bluffs Abe Lincoln
Middle Blocker – Senior
Azaria Green Azaria Green 6'0" | MB Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln | 2023 State IA is absolutely electric out of the middle where she has quick hops and can score points at will. She connects extremely well with Wayne State commit in setter Molly Romano Molly Romano 5'10" | S Council Bluffs Abe Lincoln | 2024 State IA . Green has 169 blocks and 66 blocks which lands her top twenty in the state, her teammate Jeena Carle is also in the top twenty for blocks. The Lynx are always a tough matchup and have built a solid program in SW Iowa.
Addison Holt – Council Bluffs Lewis Central
Libero – Junior
Lewis Central has an extremely balanced attack where five attackers who are on track to have over 100 kills and two setters in Haylee Erickson and Brooke Larsen Brooke Larsen 5'11" | S CB Lewis Central | 2025 State IA who are able to get their attackers in position to terminate. Holt is the libero who has been able to provide a consistent first contact for the Titans where they are once again in position for a conference title and a run during the post season. They are currently in the race at the top with Carroll-Kuemper
Ashlynn Badding – Carroll-Kuemper
Senior – Setter
Sophie Badding Sophie Badding 5'11" | MB Carroll-Kuemper | 2023 State IA – Carroll-Kuemper
Senior – Attacker
The Badding’s have been extremely key to the success of the Knights who are on a tear the past 20 matches. Kuemper is back in the rankings and are at the top of the Hawkeye Ten with Lewis Central. Ashlynn Badding has over 400 assists where Sophie Badding Sophie Badding 5'11" | MB Carroll-Kuemper | 2023 State IA has nearly 200 kills. These two have been key for the Knights their whole career. The Knights have two big matches this week against Glenwood and Lewis Central and a tough tournament at Hampton-Dumont where plenty of teams from Western Iowa collide with teams on the East side of the state.