What Midwest Teams Are Hunting For a 15 National Div Title?

The National Division at USAV is always really interesting to me. These are the winners of their region, or received a trickle down to get to this division. A lot of these teams are accustomed to playing an open level schedule and won't be phased by anyone across the net. I was able to see a lot of these teams throughout his club season and here are some teams who I think could be playing some big matches come day three and four, hoping to bring home some hardware.   <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/1654965048312209410?s=20 </div></figure>   Iowa Select 15 Mizuno   This team was extremely dominant at the Prep Dig Chi-Town Classic. They dominated the competition, winning the event with their depth and all around play. On the pins are [player_tooltip player_id='261085' first='Maren' last='Ouellette'] and Kenzie [player_tooltip player_id='389002' first='McKenzie' last='Moeller'] who are so solid anywhere on the court. They have a mature game where they can do more than hit hard cross, they have a full bag of tricks where they can mix it up with off speed shots, use the block, and go hard down the line. [player_tooltip player_id='230661' first='Ellah' last='Derrer'] is a dominant middle blocker at 6'2. She's already won a state championship with her high school team and knows how to play in big matches. If they can stay in system, they will be really tough to stop.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/DSC01823.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-409006"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='196506' first='Eva' last='Swenson']</figcaption></figure>   MN Select 15-1   I was able to see this team play at the Northern Lights Qualifier where they had some big wins over some open level teams. They play hard, they have a grit to their game, and they have a lot of physicality at every position. This is a team who plays with no fear and isn't afraid to take a big swing and beat the higher seeded team. [player_tooltip player_id='348385' first='Abby' last='Conklin'] out of the middle is one that teams need to be aware of. She can hit the deep corners and with her length, she makes the opposing attackers think twice. Setter, [player_tooltip player_id='196506' first='Eva' last='Swenson'] has improved tremendously throughout the season and is on the rise in the Class of 2026. She can dish to all of her attackers, but she is a lockdown blocker as well.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/DSC01743.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-409007"/></figure>   MKE Sting 15 Gold   This team is coming off a Prep Dig Gauntlet championship where they defeated the likes of Northern Lights and Circle City (teams also in this division). This team is extremely skilled and dynamic. They have two really strong setters who can also swing on the right side in [player_tooltip player_id='249644' first='Brooke' last='Baldwin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='277423' first='Ella' last='Kohnen']. On the outside, [player_tooltip player_id='249678' first='Marlee' last='Sivak'] and [player_tooltip player_id='221048' first='Natalie' last='Surges'] are extremely terminal. They can score points out of system and can handle a high volume of swings. Sting always brings plenty of ball control and with the consistency of their serve/pass game they will be a team to beat.   <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/1662854248722210822?s=20 </div></figure>   Northern Lights 15-1   This is a typical Northern Lights team where they have a lot of length and plenty of gritty defense. They had a strong Prep Dig Gauntlet where they blazed through the first two days before getting knocked out by Circle City in bracket play. [player_tooltip player_id='180652' first='Rayna' last='Christianson'] will be a key player to watch where she has a really special skill set where she can play middle, right side, or set. She plays high above the net and can be utilized in multiple ways. Another six rotation player who can put up points is [player_tooltip player_id='199397' first='Brynlee' last='Major']. The depth and balance of this team will be one to watch.   <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/1663207650522284039?s=20 </div></figure>   Circle City 15 Purple   This is another team I've seen improve tremendously throughout the season after seeing them at Central Zone in January, NLQ in March, and Prep Dig Gauntlet over Memorial Day. They put so much pressure on the other side with their consistent serve receive and ball control. The opposing side is going to have to work in order to score points against this team. A six rotation attacker to keep tabs on throughout the event is going to be [player_tooltip player_id='221478' first='Josie' last='Imes']. She is so solid from her serve receive, defense, and being able to play with a high IQ in regards to when to go for the kill and when to play another rally. [player_tooltip player_id='399722' first='Taylor' last='Donovan'] will provide the key first contact as the libero and setter, [player_tooltip player_id='252404' first='Addie' last='Haberthy'] is extremely athletic. Circle City traditionally plays their best ball come trophy time and this team will be no different.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/DSC02921.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-409010"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lynney Tarnow</figcaption></figure>   1st Alliance 15 Gold   Another team who looks a lot different from where they were in January is 1st Alliance 15 Gold. Huge improvement from Central Zone to the Prep Dig Gauntlet after nearly five months of training. Everything starts with a strong first contact which comes from their libero, [player_tooltip player_id='323928' first='Kate' last='Harvey']. She has a savviness to her game where she finds a way to get it done and in system. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='323925' first='Nikolija' last='Bulatovic'] is very dynamic. She is looking to push tempo and can find the best matchups for her attacker, a definite floor general. An athlete plenty of coaches will be looking to watch is Lynney [player_tooltip player_id='323932' first='Carolyn' last='Tarnow'] who is 6'6 and can move extremely well. She can do more than just hit a quick in front of the setter. She is near automatic when she can attack off one foot.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/DSC01932.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-388195"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='261094' first='Reese' last='Naeve']</figcaption></figure>   Iowa Rockets 15R   Iowa Rockets are heading East to make the quick trip from the Iowa City area where they are the Iowa Region Champions.  This team is full of all around athletes where some have already played in the state tournament in multiple spots.  [player_tooltip player_id='361168' first='Averie' last='Lower'] and [player_tooltip player_id='243182' first='Isabelle' last='Kremer'] are two spot standouts where they have seen success in basketball as well with Kremer winning a state title on the Pleasant Valley basketball team.  [player_tooltip player_id='261094' first='Reese' last='Naeve'] is a unique talent where she could be one who could play at the next level as a libero or just keep crushing it on the outside.  She is a state track athlete in the 100 hurdles as well.

The National Division at USAV is always really interesting to me. These are the winners of their region, or received a trickle down to get to this division. A lot of these teams are accustomed to playing an open level schedule and won't be phased by anyone across the net. I was able to see a lot of these teams throughout his club season and here are some teams who I think could be playing some big matches come day three and four, hoping to bring home some hardware.