Scouting Report: MidWest JVA Challenge – Part II
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Scouting Report: Part I Photo Gallery I Photo Gallery II Photo Gallery III Photo Gallery IV DES MOINES, Iowa – The Open divisions at the MidWest JVA Challenge competed this past weekend here at Hy-Vee Hall. Champions were crowned in the…
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Continue ReadingDES MOINES, Iowa – 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, Power Plex and Adrenaline were among the Iowa clubs that showed well. Event results from all divisions and ages have been posted.
Iowa Select 16s took seventh place in a deep Open division. Ellie Schubert Ellie Schubert 5'9" | S Davenport Assumption | 2025 State IA from Davenport Assumption has continued improving since helping the Knights win a state championship in November. That’s saying something.
Schubert’s 1,047 assists in 2022 ranked fifth in the state. The sophomore setter checked in at No. 8 in the latest Prep Dig rankings for the ’25 Class.
With a mature game and strong skills, Schubert makes the players around her better and keeps the operation moving as smoothly as possible. She’s a strong defender and server.
I’d keep an eye on the versatile Gabriella Ragins Gabriella Ragins 5'11" | OH Pleasant Valley | 2025 State IA in ’23. After serving in a back-up role on a loaded Pleasant Valley squad last Fall, she appears ready to become a bigger part of the Spartans’ attack. She’s a strong all-around player.
Dubuque Wahlert’s Anna Roling is an intriguing college prospect. She can swing it.
Durant’s Katelynn Toft Katelynn Toft 6'2" | OH Durant | 2025 IA shows excellent potential. She can play outside, but the 6-foot-2 sophomore might be best in the middle. She’s athletic and agile, making her a solid two-way player.
Rockets 15-1 put together an admirable showing competing in a strong field last weekend. I watched this team at regionals, and it was good to get another look last weekend.
I’m a fan of libero Jessi Kucera Jessi Kucera 5'7" | DS/L Iowa City City | 2026 State IA . She would be on the top team for her age group in a lot of clubs and is capable of holding it down for this one. She has the tools. Now it’s a matter of consistency.
Jayce Grennan Jayce Grennan 5'6" | S Center Point - Urbana | 2026 State IA regularly deals out solid sets. Kiley Devery Kiley Devery 6'1" | MB Iowa City Regina | 2026 State IA , Jozie Lahr Jozie Lahr 5'11" | MB Solon | 2026 State IA , Lucy Maassen Lucy Maassen 5'8" | OH Liberty | 2026 State IA and Sariah Sherman all carry a lot of potential.
I watched a few matches involving Power Plex 15s at regionals. I was equally impressed, if not more, with what I saw last weekend from the group.
Alexa Weber can play, really play. She’s athletic with power and strong court sense. Maggie Craig is another freshman ready for a breakout in ’23 as she’s shown throughout the winter and spring, and Lauren Olson Lauren Olson DS/L Indianola | 2026 State IA is displaying a broad set of skills from the outside and back row. Sydney Light Sydney Light 6'0" | MB Carlisle | 2025 State IA is developing nicely in the middle of the net, while Anna Pelds Anna Pelds 5'5" | DS/L Waukee Northwest | 2026 State IA is doing the same at libero.