Scouting Report: MidWest JVA Challenge - Part I

<a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/05/photo-gallery-i-iowa-teams-at-midwest-jva-challenge/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Photo Gallery I</a>   <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/05/photo-gallery-ii-iowa-teams-at-midwest-jva-challenge/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Photo Gallery II</a>   <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/05/photo-gallery-iii-iowa-teams-at-midwest-jva-challenge/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Photo Gallery III</a>   <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/05/photo-gallery-iv-iowa-teams-at-midwest-jva-challenge/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Photo Gallery IV</a>   The Open divisions at the MidWest JVA Challenge competed this past weekend here at Hy-Vee Hall. Champions were crowned in the 14U-17U age groups.   Rockets, Select, [program_tooltip program_id='490821' first='Power' last='Plex'] and Adrenaline were among the Iowa clubs that showed well. Event results from all divisions and ages <a href="https://results.advancedeventsystems.com/event/PTAwMDAwMjkwMDg90/home?_ga=2.264492105.717562509.1683580325-584675374.1681311414&_gl=1*1r3hrs6*_ga*NTg0Njc1Mzc0LjE2ODEzMTE0MTQ.*_ga_PQ25JN9PJ8*MTY4MzgxMTQ5MS44LjAuMTY4MzgxMTQ5MS4wLjAuMA.." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">have been posted</a>.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   In the 17s, Rockets took the opening set against Sanford, 25-20, before the score was reversed in Set 2. Sanford captured the deciding set, 15-5.   Rockets received the strong play they're used to getting from Drake commit [player_tooltip player_id='168155' first='Bliss' last='Beck'], a dominant middle. She had plenty of help from teammates who should be getting more recruiting attention.   Beck's Clear Creek Amana teammate, [player_tooltip player_id='168156' first='Meg' last='Berkland'], is a wall in the back row at libero. She shows it every time she steps on the court. She gets to the spot and directs the dig into good position for her setter...time and time again.   [player_tooltip player_id='168177' first='Brooke' last='Ellyson'] played well for a Mount Vernon outfit that reached the state tournament in November. She performed really well this past weekend, too. She holds up strong in the back row, and swings it powerfully from the outside with an excellent vertical leap.   Marion's [player_tooltip player_id='168178' first='Michaela' last='Goad'] shares traits with Ellyson as a solid all-court player. She hits well from the outside and middle, and provides strong defense at the net. Her prep teammate, [player_tooltip player_id='168180' first='Natalee' last='Hartman'], showed she belonged with a strong back-row performance.   Melae Lacy from Iowa City West is a player that's shined every time I've seen her play. For West, she shows an all-around game. She mostly lines up at middle for Rockets. She can jump and swing with force. She's fundamentally sound.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Adrenaline 16 Doug came in 5th among Open teams playing without stalwart [player_tooltip player_id='215385' first='Chloe' last='Meester']. It still had [player_tooltip player_id='215389' first='Sydney' last='Maue'] and other standouts, however.   I saw Maue in person for the first time at the Windy City Classic last month. The Center Point-Urbana sophomore impressed me then with her mighty lefty swing. It stood out again here, along with a solid set of all-around skills, including a strong service game.   [player_tooltip player_id='215386' first='Carley' last='Jonker'] is poised for a big junior season at Cedar Rapids Xavier in the Fall. She's continued her consistently strong play during club season after helping the Saints win another state championship in November. She's proven to be an outstanding libero.   [player_tooltip player_id='215391' first='Taylor' last='Rexroth'] will help make sure Xavier has a shot at another title. She's a really good athlete whose volleyball skills are improving.   [player_tooltip player_id='215388' first='Adalyn' last='Hermanson'] led Cedar Rapids Kennedy in kills (217) as a sophomore last season. She explodes off the ground with good timing and a leaping ability. She generates easy power.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   [program_tooltip program_id='490821' first='Power' last='Plex'] 16s fell during the semifinals of a tough bracket. They overwhelmed Nexus United, 25-10, in Set 1 before dropping the next two - 25-23 and 15-13.   Aspen Nelson already has proven to be one of the state's top players. Her 372 kills in '22 paced Indianola and ranked sixth among the state's sophomores. She helps out at a high level from everywhere on the court as evidenced by her 228 digs and 113 assists last Fall.   Her club and prep teammate, [player_tooltip player_id='215729' first='Makenzie' last='Sloan'], played a reserve role at Indianola last Fall. She should step into more playing time in '23 with her developing skills. When you combine them with her height, length and athleticism, you have a player to watch.   Ankeny Christian has a good one in the versatile [player_tooltip player_id='215462' first='Katie' last='Quick']. She sets, hits and blocks. There's no truth to the rumor that she also coaches the team and drives the bus.   Like Quick, [player_tooltip player_id='215749' first='Delaney' last='Miller'] from Ankeny Centennial performs well all around the court. She's standing out in club just like she did as a sophomore in '22, when she led the Jaguars with 270 kills. She's a good defender at the net and can settle pace coming her way from the back row.   Indianola will be a team to watch in '23 with Nelson and Sloan being joined by [program_tooltip program_id='490821' first='Power' last='Plex'] teammates in the back row, [player_tooltip player_id='215469' first='Maci' last='Lerseth'] and [player_tooltip player_id='215467' first='Zoey' last='Belt']. Lerseth and Belt are capable of holding it down at libero.

Photo Gallery I