Breaking Down Iowa's Top Ten From the Class of 2023

The top ten of Iowa's Class of 2023. Athletes who will be heading to D1 schools throughout the country and some playing close to home. Many of these athletes have plenty of state tournament appearances and some have been fortunate enough to win state titles. Take a look at these top ten, what they bring to the game, and where they are heading to pursue their future volleyball and academic careers.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1587124215701962757?s=20&t=ALZ0zVB5Q5QMgkud1q0uyA </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='79678' first='Lily' last='Dykstra'] (Urbandale) and [player_tooltip player_id='79685' first='Cassidy' last='Hartman'] (Iowa City Liberty)   Committed to Northern Iowa   The top two in the Class of 2023 in Iowa will be heading to UNI where they will be quite the combo on the outside. They have earned all the possible accolades with Dykstra earning Player of the Year while Hartman brought home a state title for Iowa City Liberty a few weeks ago. They have a similar game where they are long, athletic, and true six rotation outside hitters. Dykstra led Urbandale to a Cinderella story where they unexpectedly made their way to the Class 5A state tournament where they met Hartman and Iowa City Liberty. Liberty won the match in four sets with Dykstra having 25 kills and Hartman finishing with 21.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/11/DSC07987.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-249356" width="362" height="241"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='79714' first='Avery' last='Van Hook'] - Marion   Committed to South Dakota   Van Hook was the most dynamic player in the state with her ability to set and even score herself for Marion. In her career she racked up plenty of awards, including Class 4A Player of the Year and led the Wolves to three state tournament appearances. Van Hook has a swag about her style of play, she's a winner, and she raises the level of play for everyone on her side of the net. She is incredibly tough to defend because she remains neutral, receiving the ball high to set, but can also take it herself. South Dakota has picked up some big time recruits and are continuing to trend upwards among top programs in the Midwest       <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/11/137A8472-2-1024x753.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-242665" width="361" height="265"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'23 Davenport (IA) Assumption High RS [player_tooltip player_id='79708' first='Ava' last='Schubert']. (Rob Howe/PrepDig.com) </figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='79708' first='Ava' last='Schubert'] - Davenport Assumption   Committed to Tennessee Tech   Schubert has played in seven state tournaments, four in volleyball and three in basketball. A few weeks ago was the first time she was able to walk away with a state title with Davenport Assumption defeating Sioux Center to take home the Class 3A crown. Schubert has a dynamic skill set where she is a lefty right side who contributes in every rotation. She has the physicality and athleticism at the net to score plenty of points while the finesse to pass in the backrow. She will head to Tennessee Tech, part of the Ohio Valley Conference where they most recently finished second in the conference.         [player_tooltip player_id='108448' first='Kayla' last='Knowles'] - Denver   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/11/DSC08272.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-249357" width="337" height="225"/></figure>   Committed to Houston   This was quite the process to watch Knowles transform from the springy sophomore taking swings to the mature, physical leader where she had over 600 kills this past year at Denver leading them to another state tournament. I was able to see Knowles live at the regional final and she popped her shoulder out near the end of the first set, to get it taped, get back in to a standing ovation, and eventually lead her team to a four set win over Grundy Center. She plays all the way around and is able to use a blend of power and finesse. She can hammer cross and line, but then change it up with a roll shot to the middle of the court. Her physical style will translate well to the college game.     [player_tooltip player_id='108433' first='Stella' last='Winterfeld'] - Western Christian   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/11/DSC08144.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-249358" width="338" height="225"/></figure>   Committed to South Dakota State   I knew [player_tooltip player_id='108433' first='Stella' last='Winterfeld'] could score points, I've seen it at the high school and club level where she plays for Kairos out of Sioux Falls. What I was really impressed with at the state tournament was her defense. She can handle the first touch, but she was able to scramble down to keep the second touch alive in order to keep the rally going. These were plays that would swing in favor of the Wolfpack and bring so much momentum to their side of the net. Western was able to come back from being down matchpoint against Dike-New Hartford to win another state title. She will head to South Dakota State where this is a special class for the Jacks where they have one of the top outside hitters from Wisconsin and a top setter from Colorado coming in where they will look to make some noise in the Summit League.     <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/11/137A7586-2-1024x711.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-242237" width="385" height="267"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'23 Mount Vernon (IA) High S [player_tooltip player_id='108438' first='Madeleine' last='Miller']. (Rob Howe/PrepDig.com) </figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='108438' first='Madeleine' last='Miller'] - Mount Vernon   Committed to New Mexico   I don't think I really knew Madeliene Miller until the second half of her sophomore year. From there, she continued to improve every time she stepped on the court. Miller is well trained as a six rotation setter where she has great court awareness and a feel for the game. The next step for Miller will be New Mexico which is part of the Mountain West Conference. What will translate well for Miller is her ability to receive the ball high and neutral. She leads her middles well and can get her hands on the ball in a scramble. When needed, she can take it herself as well.       <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1587469366064447490?s=20&t=ALZ0zVB5Q5QMgkud1q0uyA </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='108426' first='Gabby' last='Deery'] (Burlington Notre Dame) and [player_tooltip player_id='79693' first='Olivia' last='Lombardi'] (Des Moines Christian)   Committed to Iowa   The Hawkeyes have entered the chat where they will have two athletes from the Class of 2023 to start building their homegrown Hawks. Deery, who won a state title with Burlington Notre Dame in 2021, is the type of player who can contribute anywhere along the front line. She's been a middle, but can also swing on either pin as well. With her length and athleticism, she will be an essential part of the gym. Lombardi has been a top notch libero her whole career. She brings an athletic and physical style to the court where she has that gritty edge.     [player_tooltip player_id='79675' first='Chloe' last='Cline'] - Pleasant Valley   Committed to Evansville   Cline played in four state tournaments, winning a state title as a junior, and state runner up as a senior.  Pleasant Valley is now an established Class 5A powerhouse where they keep on reloading.  Cline will join former high school teammate, Kora Ruff at Evansville where the Purple Aces have been moving up in the ranks of Missouri Valley Conference teams.  Her success has been in the middle, but she will have the ability to contribute on the right side as well.  She's dynamic where she can take off on one foot to score and provide a big time block.  The colors might change next year, but there are plenty of Ruff-Cline connections in the future, just like there were at PV.

The top ten of Iowa's Class of 2023. Athletes who will be heading to D1 schools throughout the country and some playing close to home. Many of these athletes have plenty of state tournament appearances and some have been fortunate enough to win state titles. Take a look at these top ten, what they bring to the game, and where they are heading to pursue their future volleyball and academic careers.