What Midwest Teams Are Hunting For a 15 National Div Title?
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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.
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 Maren Ouellette Maren Ouellette 5'11" | OH Pleasant Valley | 2026 State IA and Kenzie Mckenzie Moeller Mckenzie Moeller 5'9" | OH North Scott | 2026 State IA 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. Ellah Derrer Ellah Derrer 6'4" | MB Davenport Assumption | 2026 State IA 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.
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. Abby Conklin Abby Conklin 6'3" | RS St. Michael-Albertville | 2026 State MN 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, Eva Swenson Eva Swenson 6'3" | RS Wayzata | 2026 State MN 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.
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 Brooke Baldwin Brooke Baldwin 6'0" | S Sussex Hamilton | 2026 State WI and Ella Kohnen Ella Kohnen S Slinger | 2026 State WI . On the outside, Marlee Sivak Marlee Sivak 6'1" | OH Oconomowoc | 2026 State WI and Natalie Surges Natalie Surges 6'0" | OH Brookfield East | 2026 State WI 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.
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. Rayna Christianson Rayna Christianson 6'2" | S Lakeville North | 2026 State MN 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 Brynlee Major Brynlee Major 5'9" | OH Lakeville North | 2026 State MN . The depth and balance of this team will be one to watch.
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 Josie Imes Josie Imes 5'10" | OH Zionsville | 2026 State IN . 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. Taylor Donovan Taylor Donovan 5'5" | DS/L Plainfield | 2026 State IN will provide the key first contact as the libero and setter, Addie Haberthy Addie Haberthy 5'11" | S Roncalli | 2026 State IN is extremely athletic. Circle City traditionally plays their best ball come trophy time and this team will be no different.
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, Kate Harvey Kate Harvey 5'8" | DS/L Glendbard West | 2026 State IL . She has a savviness to her game where she finds a way to get it done and in system. Setter Nikolija Bulatovic Nikolija Bulatovic 5'10" | S Elmwood Park | 2026 State IL 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 Carolyn Tarnow Carolyn Tarnow 6'4" | MB Benet Academy | 2026 State IL 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.
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. Averie Lower Averie Lower 5'11" | OH Clear Creek Amana | 2026 State IA and Isabelle Kremer Isabelle Kremer 6'3" | RS Pleasant Valley | 2026 State IA 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. Reese Naeve Reese Naeve 5'9" | OH Iowa City Regina Catholic | 2026 State IA 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.