Fabulous Freshmen at Iowa State Tournament

It’s always fun being introduced to the freshmen at the state tournament. It’s a fresh look for players scouted during the club season and a first look at others.

Here’s a overview of ninth-graders that caught my attention with their volleyball performance at the state tournament:

CLASS 5A

Mazie Sweers, OH, Pleasant Valley

Sweers impressed me more than any other freshman I scouted in person this season. I watched her in August at the Iowa City West Tournament and again this week. I noticed progress with the stage here not being too big for her. She helped a young Spartan team reach the semifinals with 21 kills, 20 digs and 1.5 blocks during seven sets in this tournament.

Addison Allaman, DS, Pleasant Valley

Allaman’s play impressed me as well when I saw PV compete in August. Allaman contributed 159 digs this season with 33 ace serves. She tallied 12 digs and three aces during the state tournament.

Logan Vogt, OH, Waukee Northwest

Vogt played well beyond her years this week, not appearing at all intimidated by the spotlight. She produced 23 kills and 8.0 blocks during this tournament, showing a big swing and good instincts for the front row.

Brynn Cibula Brynn Cibula 5'6" Valley | 2027 IA , OH, West Des Moines Valley

Cibula stood out when I scouted the Tigers in the regional finals. She shined again here at the state tournament with two kills, two digs and a block assist in three sets. Her future is bright.

Marlee Ellison, OH, Ankeny

Ellison showed during the season and while here that she’s one on which to keep an eye the next three years. She hammered out seven kills and posted four digs in her first state match.

Kennedy Krecklow Kennedy Krecklow 5'8" | OH Cedar Falls | 2027 IA , OH, Cedar Falls

Krecklow looked like she belonged during her first state tournament appearance. She registered four digs and an ace in the Tigers’ match. She had 51 kills and 39 digs this season.

CLASS 4A

Hadley Michael, S, Norwalk

Michael followed up a freshman season that saw her hand out 478 assists with a state tournament match that saw her dish out 21 assists with eight digs.

CLASS 3A

Bianca Grimm, OH, Union

Grimm contributed three kills and four digs in Union’s upset of second-seeded Cherokee Washington in the first round. She added three digs and an ace in the semifinals against Western Christian.

Skyler VanDerPol, MH, Des Moines Christian

VanDerPol enjoyed a strong debut season with 79 kills and 49.0 blocks, the second most on the team. She chipped in with a pair of kills and a block in her state tournament match.

Sophia Meester, OH, Mount Vernon

Meester played an important role one of the best season’s in school history. The ninth-grader recorded 52 kills and 23.0 blocks this season. She had five kills and two blocks in her first state tournament.

Addy Wolfswinkel, OH, Cherokee Washington

The freshman posted six kills and six digs in her state tournament match. For her first high school season, she hammered 93 kills, 98 digs and 63.0 blocks.

CLASS 2A

Mackenzie McEwan, L, Denver

McEwan finished with 10 digs in each of her state tournament matches. The libero finished up her freshman campaign with 104 digs.

CLASS 1A

Elsie Hoegh, OH, Boyden-Hull

Hoegh bursted on the scene with 251 kills, 120 assists and 259 digs. In two state tournament matches, she totaled 18 kills and 31 digs.

Olivia Peters, OH, BCLUW

In a pair of tournament matches, Peters pounded out 40 kills and added 22 digs. She led the Comets with 259 kills and also had 120 digs.

Adalyn Kruse, OH, Holy Trinity Catholic

In helping Holy Trinity Catholic reach the championship match, Kruse contributed 15 kills 13 digs and 6.0 blocks. She had 141 kills, 78.0 blocks and 93 digs in her freshman campaign.