Postseason Names to Know in ’26 Class
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IOWA CITY, Iowa – Prep Dig does a great job ranking players throughout the state. It’s your No. 1 source for student-athlete ratings across Iowa. I was fortunate to scout plenty of the great competitors on those lists this past season. I…
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Continue ReadingIOWA CITY, Iowa – Prep Dig does a great job ranking players throughout the state. It’s your No. 1 source for student-athlete ratings across Iowa.
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.
From my viewing, I’d like to share in-person observations on each grade, starting with the ’25 Class and following up with the ’24 Class.
Next up are the sophomores-to-be, also known as the 2026 Class:
Bailey Boeve Bailey Boeve 6'0" | OH Hinton | 2026 State IA
Bailey Boeve Bailey Boeve 6'0" | OH Hinton | 2026 State IA
Boeve stood out as one of the most impressive players at the state tournament regardless of class or age. She’s a six-rotation player, standing out in the front row but holding up very well in the back, too. She displays excellent athleticism, highlighted by her leaping ability. She also shows a great feel for the sport. She led the state’s freshmen with 178.0 blocks and was second in kills (331).
Sometimes younger players suffer from inconsistency when beginning their prep careers. That isn’t a problem for Naeve, who is steady and confident. She’s a six-rotation standout who makes the players around her better. She paced state freshmen with 442 kills.
Myers played a leading role in helping the Crusaders reach the state tournament. She ranked second on the squad with 307 kills, hitting .362, and paced it with 82.0 blocks, fourth best among all freshmen.
Averie Lower
Averie Lower
Lower is a dominating, six-rotation player already, playing a big role in the Clippers reaching the state tournament this fall. She was fifth in digs among freshman with 338. Her 222 kills were the ninth most in her grade. She’s a super athlete who also excels on the basketball court.
Channing Johnson Channing Johnson 5'10" | S Denver | 2026 State IA
Channing Johnson Channing Johnson 5'10" | S Denver | 2026 State IA
Johnson rolled up an insane total of 1,219 assists this season for a team that reached the state tournament. She complemented them with 178 digs. She shows soft hands and really good instincts for the sport.
Brynn Bakula Brynn Bakula 5'8" | S Cedar Falls | 2026 State IA
Brynn Bakula Brynn Bakula 5'8" | S Cedar Falls | 2026 State IA
Bakula led all Class 5A freshmen with 931 assists in ’22. She added 148 digs, 38 blocks and 25 aces. Cedar Falls should remain one of the better big-school programs in the state with Bakula around for three more seasons.
Muller paced Class 5A freshmen 117.0 total blocks for a team that reached the state tournament. She added 165 kills during her first prep campaign. She’s a good athlete with a high ceiling.
A second Regal on this list means Regina boasts a strong foundation, perhaps foreshadowing big things ahead for the program. Devery ranked third among all of the state’s ’26s in kill efficiency (.389) and second in solo blocks (42). She registered 166 kills, showing excellent jumping ability and a solid swing.