Prep Dig 2023 Class 3A All-State Team
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Prep Dig 2023 Class 5A All-State Team Prep Dig 2023 Class 4A All-State Team It was once again an excellent season in Class 3A. In the end, a newcomer prevailed. Hull Western Christian, the 2022 2A champion, moved up a…
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Continue ReadingIt was once again an excellent season in Class 3A. In the end, a newcomer prevailed.
Hull Western Christian, the 2022 2A champion, moved up a class and still repeated as best in the state. The Wolfpack topped Mount Vernon in this year’s final. A super season by the Mustangs included a victory against last season’s 3A champs, Davenport Assumption, in the semifinals.
From start to finish, a deep group of talented squads were led by a talented collection of players. It’s always tough leaving strong performers off of all-state teams, but that also means the ones included are really, really good.
FIRST TEAM
Chloe Meester Chloe Meester OH Mount Vernon | 2025 State #37 Nation IA , ’25, OH, Mount Vernon
Meester committed to Louisville this past summer before her junior season started. The Cardinals rank among the best groups in the country, which gives you an idea of the Mount Vernon standout’s ceiling. She’s already dominant at the prep level, showing in ’23 that she can play through six rotations. Her 559 kills (.365) this season led 3A. She added 355 digs and 46.0 blocks.
Shayna Van Dyken, ’24, OH, Western Christian
The Wolfpack succeeded in a larger class thanks in large part to Van Dyken’s exploits. She pounded out 407 kills, good for fifth in 3A. She contributed 100 digs and 40.0 blocks. Van Dyken forced teams to focus on her, which opened up opportunities for teammates. She’s easily one of the top non-committed seniors in Iowa.
Maggie Johnson, ’24, OH, Davenport Assumption
Johnson stands out for her versatility and efficiency. The senior paced the Knights with 269 kills (.321). She also led the squad with 201 digs and chipped in with 29.0 blocks. Johnson had a knack for making big plays and had understanding of what her team needed in crunch time. She’s off to Missouri-St. Louis.
Gracie Klima, ’24, OH, Union
The Knights reached the state tournament semifinals with Klima ranking second to Meester in 3A with 532 kills. Like Meester, she played six rotations, finishing with 287 digs. She contributed 36.0 blocks for good measure. She’ll play her college ball at Lincoln Memorial University, a D-II school in South Carolina.
Jada Timmerman Jada Timmerman 6'0" | MB Cherokee | 2024 State IA , ’24, MH, Cherokee Washington
This season, Timmerman posted 123.0 blocks, the most in 3A. She proved to be a talented, two-way player as evidence by her 229 kills (.367), which led her squad. She added 79 digs. She joins Van Dyken as one of the better available seniors in the state.
Gabby Lombardi Gabby Lombardi 5'11" | RS Des Moines Christian | 2024 State IA , ’24, S/OH, Des Moines Christian
The Lions advanced to the state tournament for the third year in a row with Lombardi’s play leading way. She paced Des Moines Christian with 361 kills and ranked second in assists (474). She added 225 digs and 42.0 blocks. She’s a member of Fresno State’s ’24 recruiting class.
SECOND TEAM
Ellah Derrer Ellah Derrer 6'4" | MB Davenport Assumption | 2026 State IA , ’26, MH, Davenport Assumption
The Knight sophomore is poised to be one of the state’s top players regardless of class or grade. Derrer already impacts matches as a two-way performer. In ’23, she produced 263 kills (.465) and 107.0 blocks, the eighth most in 3A. She seems to improve every time I watch her play.
Avery Knoop Avery Knoop S Union | 2025 State IA , ’25, S, Union
Knoop’s 1,208 assists were the most in 3A and a big reason the Knights made it to state for a second season in a row. She also racked up 104 kills, 234 digs and 53.0 blocks. Her return in ’24 could pave the way for Union to get back to Coralville.
Bentley Bliek Bentley Bliek 6'0" | OH Western Christian | 2026 State IA , ’26, OH, Western Christian
One of the state’s best sophomores, Bliek’s season belied her youth and inexperience. She cranked out 273 kills this fall, chipping in with 321 digs and 40.0 blocks. She should take on an even bigger role in ’24.
Sydney Huber Sydney Huber S Mount Vernon | 2025 State IA , ’25, S, Mount Vernon
Huber transferred to Mount Vernon from Xavier before the season. It worked out well. She played a key role in helping the Mustangs reach the state championship match with 1,092 assists, second only to Knoop in 3A. Huber added 43.0 blocks, 60 kills and 137 digs.
Jovi Evans Jovi Evans 5'6" | DS/L Mid Prairie | 2026 State IA , ’26, S/OH, Mid-Prarie
Another one of the super sophomores among Iowa preps, Evans helps her team through six rotations. She led the Golden Hawks in kills (376) and assists (674). Her 480 digs were the second most on the team. It will be fun watching how high she can take her game during the next two seasons.
Sydney Maue Sydney Maue RS Mount Vernon | 2025 State IA , ’25, OH, Center Point-Urbana
The Stormin’ Pointers reached the state tournament for the first time since ’15 and for just the third time in program history with Maue playing the leading role. She connected for 319 kills, the most for CPU in ’23. Her 53.0 blocks ranked third on the squad.