20 Notable ’25s Heading into Prep Offseason

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IOWA CITY, Iowa - </strong>Prep Dig does a great job <a href="https://prepdig.com/iowa/rankings/2023-rankings/">ranking players throughout the state</a>. It's your No. 1 source for student-athlete ratings across Iowa. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was fortunate to scout plenty of the great competitors on those lists this past season. I saw some amazing play at the state tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From my viewing, I'd like to share in-person observations on each grade. First up are the juniors-to-be, also known as the 2025 Class: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["215392"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":243631,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The top sophomore I saw this fall. There's little she can't do. She's one of those kids who'd probably be the best on her team at every position given enough practice.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["215406"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":241975,"_player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Hayes is up there with Fandel. She's an all-court player with a long frame and arms. She could have the highest ceiling in the class.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["215385"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":242219,"_player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Meester impressed me with a toughness I witnessed at state. She badly jammed a finger on her hitting hand during the semifinals. She played through it. She played well. She usually plays well.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["215426"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":242453,"_player_evaluations_3_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Shafer can be overlooked during the prep season because she plays for a smaller program. She shouldn't be. She performs all around the court. She's a good athlete with a high volleyball IQ.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["217136"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Hacker hasn't come close to hitting her ceiling. Like most of the others in this rundown, she helps her team through rotation. That high-level versatility is coveted.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["215425"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Pratt is fun to watch for her unique combination of athleticism and power. It's best illustrated watching her explode off the court and swing with authority at the top of her jump.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["215433"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Buysee is as steady as they come. Her game his controlled and technically sound. She's also a good athlete with a strong understanding of the game.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["215761"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Schubert stood out on a state championship team that also included her older sister, [player_tooltip player_id='79708' first='Ava' last='Schubert'], a Tennessee Tech signee. It's tough to teach Ellie's feel for the sport. She looks like a natural.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["215429"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_player_featured_image":231206,"_player_evaluations_8_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"I'll try to remain impartial here with Hildebrand, who I've scouted more than anybody else on this list. I live in Iowa City, and Liberty has been on a run during the last four years, leading up to this season's state title. Hildebrand is an expert setter who can hit and defend the back row. Yes, she does it all.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["215434"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Again, McComas challenges me in remaining impartial. Full disclosure: she's a family friend. That said, I'm objective enough to recognize the talent. She can play anywhere on this level. An athlete in the back row might be her best position in the long run. She also could develop as a hitter. Stay tuned.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["215436"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"With Dorsey and Schubert back for the Knights next season, a state-championship repeat is clearly on the table. Dorsey is an all-court player with room for growth, technically and physically.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_player":["215435"],"_player_evaluations_11_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"Erwin stands out among a group of '25s at Solon, making the Spartans a serious threat for the state tournament next fall. She can stress opponents from the front row or in the back.","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_12_player":["203590"],"_player_evaluations_12_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_12_player_featured_image":243833,"_player_evaluations_12_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"Hardersen is another player capable of inflicting damage on the opposition from anywhere on the court. She's an advanced setter with a good feel for match flow and positioning of teammates. She sees the floor well, leading to good decisions.","_player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_13_player":["215460"],"_player_evaluations_13_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_13_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_13_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_13_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_13_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_13_evaluation":"Another skilled setter in the '25 group, LaFleur returning for two more seasons along side Hacker gives Heelan staying power. LaFleur shines assisting others but she can help the Crusaders all over the court.","_player_evaluations_13_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_14_player":["215464"],"_player_evaluations_14_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_14_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_14_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_14_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_14_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_14_evaluation":"Miller resembles her classmate and teammate, Pratt, in that she does everything well and plays mature volleyball for her age. She's an efficient player with a big swing and a lot of athleticism.","_player_evaluations_14_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_15_player":["215410"],"_player_evaluations_15_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_15_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_15_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_15_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_15_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_15_evaluation":"I only saw Passmore briefly in person this season but she makes an early impression. She swings with authority with a vertical and hang time allowing her to place the ball where she wants.","_player_evaluations_15_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_16_player":["215428"],"_player_evaluations_16_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_16_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_16_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_16_player_featured_image":236895,"_player_evaluations_16_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_16_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_16_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_16_evaluation":"Stahle is a really good athlete with a skilled volleyball game. She stands out all over the court. She's efficient and limits mistakes. Steady is the name of her game.","_player_evaluations_16_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_17_player":["221340"],"_player_evaluations_17_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_17_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_17_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_17_player_featured_image":230653,"_player_evaluations_17_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_17_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_17_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_17_evaluation":"Ray shows a really nice feel for the game, a soft touch and consistency with her setting. She sets her teammates up for success and mixes up her deliveries to keep defenses on their toes. She also boasts an effective serve.","_player_evaluations_17_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_18_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_18_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_18_player_details_selected_featured_image":246358,"_player_evaluations_18_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_18_player_details_player_name":"Madelynn Falco","_player_evaluations_18_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_18_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_18_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_18_player_details_height":"5'4u0022","_player_evaluations_18_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_18_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_18_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_18_player_details_school":"West Branch ","_player_evaluations_18_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_18_player_details_club_team":"Rockets ","_player_evaluations_18_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_18_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_18_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_18_evaluation":"Falco impersonates a brick wall in the back row very well. She welcomes pace hit her way and turns it around into accurate passes. She has plenty of room to grow as a player, development that should be fun to watch.","_player_evaluations_18_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_19_player":["215412"],"_player_evaluations_19_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_19_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_19_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_19_player_featured_image":243644,"_player_evaluations_19_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_19_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_19_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_19_evaluation":"Rogers displays the traits for which you look at the setter position. She delivers the ball where her teammates can use it and moves smoothly into position. At 6-foot-1, she's a two-way presence at the net when needed. I expect her game to grow the next few seasons with more opportunity.","_player_evaluations_19_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":20,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-649b09ae16cf3"} /-->