2022 Prep Dig Iowa All Top 250 Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a day at the Iowa Top 250 Expo with some of the top athletes in attendance.&nbsp; Some are starting their recruiting journey, others looking to finish.&nbsp; We had athletes from Northwest Iowa, Nebraska, and the Quad Cities - quite the geographical representation.&nbsp; Over the course of the event, athletes start to rise, their game elevates, and some start to look scary good.&nbsp; This is our Iowa Top 250 All Expo team, some of the best athletes at their positions.&nbsp; We will continue to write more articles with position breakdowns, gamechangers, and who to watch for this upcoming club season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Pin Hitters</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215406' first='Abbey' last='Hayes'] - North Scott - Six Pack - Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215426' first='Molly' last='Shafer'] - Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont - [program_tooltip program_id='428936' first='Club' last='Ignit Select'] - Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='168192' first='Noelle' last='Sutcliffe'] - Norwalk - [program_tooltip program_id='428936' first='Club' last='Ignit Select'] - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215470' first='Cam' last='Overton'] - Indianola - Iowa PowerPlex-515 - Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215742' first='Carly' last='Wazac'] - Cedar Rapids Prairie - Six Pack - Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1601615831787765761?s=20u0026amp;t=DTas_tdLSeficU4b-obeuA","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <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/1601615831787765761?s=20&amp;t=DTas_tdLSeficU4b-obeuA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were a lot of pin attackers in the building this past Saturday, but I had a lot of notes on these athletes right here.&nbsp; These notes weren't just a flash in the pan, they were standouts all throughout the morning where they could pass to attack, blast away with their swing, and stood out in the six on six play.&nbsp; I knew coming into the event Hayes, and Shafer would be some of the top outsides and they definitely delivered.&nbsp; Hayes is so physical on the outside and takes a huge rip every time, she is a pure point scorer. Shafer has greatly improved her physicality where she is hitting the ball so much harder than she was a year ago.&nbsp; There were some plays where she was hammering and it was just past the ten footline.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='168192' first='Noelle' last='Sutcliffe'] is a junior at Norwalk and will be a key player for the [program_tooltip program_id='428936' first='Club' last='Ignit Select'] 17 Blue team where she has great pace on her swing.&nbsp; She can contact high and put quick a snap on her swing.&nbsp; Overton and Wazac I saw really succeed on the right side.&nbsp; Overton was consistent all day.&nbsp; She was terminal on the left side, right side, and provided a solid right side block.&nbsp; So fundamentally sound. Wazac had a big lefty swing from the right side. She is strong and physical and will be someone who can be an X-Factor for Six Pack this club season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Middle Blockers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215435' first='Grace' last='Erwin'] - Solon - [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] - Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261054' first='Ally' last='Olmstead'] - Alburnett - Fearless - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='230661' first='Ellah' last='Derrer'] - Davenport Assumption - Iowa Select - Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1601610333264543745?s=20u0026amp;t=DTas_tdLSeficU4b-obeuA","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <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/1601610333264543745?s=20&amp;t=DTas_tdLSeficU4b-obeuA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These middles all brought something a little different to the table.&nbsp; I'd take these three on a club team where they will all find different ways to score points and they will definitely make a defensive presence.&nbsp; Erwin is out of Solon and will play for [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] at the 16s level where she was so solid and consistent.&nbsp; She connected well with her setters and had quite a motor to get from pin to pin to block and still transition to score.&nbsp; Olmstead was a major head turner this weekend.&nbsp; A Junior from Alburnett, she's 6'2 and has a high contact point and snap.&nbsp; The more volleyball she plays, the better she will be, her upside is way up there and will be an exciting next couple seasons and hopefully beyond. Derrer has great body control and IQ for when she can find the corner or really any open spot out of the middle.&nbsp; You can tell she is well trained, well coached, and knows how to play the position.&nbsp; Iowa Select continues to provide some big time teams to the Iowa Region and this year will be no different with the 15 Mizuno squad.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Setters</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='168157' first='Brittany' last='Bacorn'] - Knoxville - [program_tooltip program_id='428936' first='Club' last='Ignit Select'] - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='216055' first='Kate' last='Shafer'] - Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont - [program_tooltip program_id='428936' first='Club' last='Ignit Select'] - Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261067' first='Finley' last='Mcandrew'] - WDM Valley - Iowa PowerPlex - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/PrepDig/status/1601617775998500866?s=20u0026amp;t=DTas_tdLSeficU4b-obeuA","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/PrepDig/status/1601617775998500866?s=20&amp;t=DTas_tdLSeficU4b-obeuA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The group of setters we had Saturday were extremely talent and dynamic.&nbsp; When a showcase like this has talented setters, it just makes everything flow really well.&nbsp; The attackers look good, theres always hype - just a lot of fun.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='168157' first='Brittany' last='Bacorn'] is a setter that a lot of high level programs will be looking to see live once the club season starts in January. She has a ton of athleticism, super dynamic and will be a really solid pick up.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='216055' first='Kate' last='Shafer'] is bound for a breakout year.&nbsp; I think she could be one of the top setters in the 2025 Class in Iowa.&nbsp; She's long, she receives the ball high, and she is extremely fundamentally sound.&nbsp; The more she plays with high level reps, the better she will get.&nbsp; McAndrew out of Valley High School was so consistent.&nbsp; When running with the middles, she was able to connect with multiple middles.&nbsp; She keeps her game simple where she gets her feet to the ball and her release is so smooth, its like hitting a beach ball for those attackers, its on the money.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Libero </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215467' first='Zoey' last='Belt'] - Indianola - Iowa PowerPlex - Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261068' first='Finley' last='Schelhaas'] - Des Moines Christian - Iowa PowerPlex - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What do I look for in liberos?&nbsp; This is a question I will continuously ask college coaches when they are evaluating liberos.&nbsp; For me, it takes a while to watch liberos to get a clever picture of what they can do.&nbsp; For [player_tooltip player_id='215467' first='Zoey' last='Belt'], its her presence she brings to the court.&nbsp; On Saturday I was able to see her play multiple backrow positions and it was consistent no matter where she was - including the sideline.&nbsp; Are athletes still engaged when they on the sideline?&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='215467' first='Zoey' last='Belt'] was.&nbsp; She can serve receive, pass, and have a positive connection with others on the court.&nbsp; Schelhaas brings such a spark and fire to the court. She has a deadly serve and has this vibe where she just loves to play the game.&nbsp; She knows how to take pace off the ball and provides a consistent first touch in multiple situations.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Utility</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261075' first='Kaelyn' last='Wieland'] - WDM Valley - [program_tooltip program_id='428936' first='Club' last='Ignit Select'] - Class of 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/PrepDig/status/1601642174407671808?s=20u0026amp;t=DTas_tdLSeficU4b-obeuA","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/PrepDig/status/1601642174407671808?s=20&amp;t=DTas_tdLSeficU4b-obeuA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='168169' first='Kate' last='Vondrak'] - East Sac County - [program_tooltip program_id='428961' first='NWI' last='Premier'] - Class of 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='203590' first='Hadley' last='Hardersen'] - Des Moines Christian - Iowa PowerPlex - Class of 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1601607644204044288?s=20u0026amp;t=DTas_tdLSeficU4b-obeuA","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1601607644204044288?s=20&amp;t=DTas_tdLSeficU4b-obeuA </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='261075' first='Kaelyn' last='Wieland'] is so dynamic, put her anywhere on the court and she's going to make good things happen.&nbsp; She is primarily a setter and right side, but above all she is a volleyball player. I saw her make a huge impact at the state tournament for West Des Moines Valley and she was an impact athlete this past Saturday.&nbsp; She will play for [program_tooltip program_id='428936' first='Club' last='Ignit Select'] 15 Blue.&nbsp; I'm going to have to keep an eye on the [program_tooltip program_id='428961' first='NWI' last='Premier'] team that has some really good athletes on the roster.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='168169' first='Kate' last='Vondrak'] stood out to Austin Kingsley (also in attendance from Nebraska) and myself with how she could terminate from anywhere in the front row.&nbsp; She's listed as a right side, but she could do it all.&nbsp; This is one of my favorite parts of this event is getting to see new names and athletes really rise!&nbsp; Harderson is electric.&nbsp; She can set and swing on the right side.&nbsp; She did this for Des Moines Christian and I saw her do a little bit of both Saturday where she has such an aggressive approach to her attack that she is a problem for the other side of the net - no matter what position she is playing.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->