Super Sophomores Stand Out at State Tournament

CORALVILLE, Iowa – The Class of 2026 was well represented at this week’s state tournament at Xtream Arena. The sophomores were shining.

Let’s take a look at a strong group of performers:

CLASS 5A

Mya Lei-Butters, L, Ankeny Centennial

Lei-Butters should be on all-state teams as one of Iowa’s better liberos. In two matches here, the sophomore posted 58 digs. She’s legit.

Isabelle Kremer, OH, Pleasant Valley

Like Lei-Butters, I’ve seen Kremer multiple times in person through club and high school competition. I’m a fan of her game. She produced 21 kills in two matches here.

Ellie Muller, MB, Dowling Catholic

Muller improved substantially during the last year. The basketball and volleyball standout brings height, agility and athleticism. She accumulated 35 kills and 3.5 blocks in three matches i the tournament.

Anna Pelds, L, Waukee Northwest

Like the other sophomores here in 5A, I’ve scouted Pelds often in club ball. She fits in this group as a rapidly-developing volleyball player with a bright future. She piled up an impressive 60 digs here.

Annistyn Wedgbury, L, Cedar Falls

Wedgbury took a nice step forward as a sophomore, topped by an 18-dig performance in her lone match at state.

Kaelyn Wieland, OH, West Des Moines Valley

Like Wedgbury, Wieland progressed significantly from last season and performed well in her one-match here. She recorded six kills, 12 digs and two assists in four sets.

CLASS 4A

Averie Lower, OH, Clear Creek Amana

Lower is a tremendous athlete developing as a volleyball player. In two matches here, she showed her versatility with 13 kills and 26 digs in six sets.

McKenzie Moeller, MB, North Scott

Moeller’s improvement from August to the end of the season was a big reason the Lancers won the state title. She contributed 14 kills, seven digs and three aces at state.

Lauren Olson, MB, Indianola

The athletic Olson also stands out on the basketball court. She helped Indianola to the state semifinals with 23 digs, three kills and five aces in the tournament.

CLASS 3A

Bentley Bliek, OH, Western Christian

The Wolfpack won the program’s 19th state title with Bliek playing an important role. She racked up 29 kills and 42 digs in this event, showing the future remains bright at Western.

Ellah Derrer, MB, Davenport Assumption

I’ve scouted Derrer a lot during the last year or so. She’s developing her game at a rapid rate and boasts a high ceiling. She contributed 11 kills in each match here and totaled 6.0 blocks, including four solos.

Reagan Glenn, RS, Union

Glenn helped her squad pull off an upset of Cherokee Washington to reach the state semifinals. She totaled 33 digs with eight kills in two matches.

Kathryn Snyder, MB, Davenport Assumption

Snyder helped the defending state champs make it back to the semifinals with 10 kills and 11 digs during two matches at state.

Caliana Whitaker, MB, Mount Vernon

While the Mustangs fell a win short of a championship, Whitaker and others will be back for another run in ’24. She contributed 11 kills and 4.0 blocks to the cause this week.

Scarlett Winterfield, OH, Western Christian

Winterfield played well beyond her years in helping the Wolfpack win it all. The sophomore totaled 26 kills, 30 digs and 3.5 blocks in three matches.

CLASS 2A

Bailey Boeve, OH, Hinton

Prep Dig’s top ’26 player justified the ranking in powering her team to the title match. She accumulated 51 kills, 25 digs and 9.0 blocks in three matches.

Abby Jensen, L, Dike-New Hartford

I’ve scouted Jensen frequently in the last year. She’s a skilled, versatile volleyball player. She contributed 25 digs and six assists in nine sets here.

Channing Johnson, S, Denver

Denver reached the semifinals thanks in large part to Johnson’s performance. She handed out 41 assists with 12 digs and four kills in two matches.

Addy Joslin, S, Dike-New Hartford

Joslin was a breakout performer this season. She capped it off with 61 assists in three short state tournament matches.

Karlyn Kovarna, RS, Hinton

Kovarna turned heads here with 15 kills, eight digs and 4.0 blocks. With she, Boeve and others back for Hinton, ’24 could be another great year.

Grace Mullihan, MB, Denver

Mullihan and Johnson give fans hope Denver will back here in ’24. Mullihan recorded 12 kills in two state matches.

Kaylie Simons, L, Carroll Kuemper Catholic

Simons proved to be a player to watch the next two years with her play here. She recorded 22 digs in her one match.

CLASS 1A

Grace Farnsworth, OH, BCLUW

Farnsworth posted 21 kills, three digs and 2.0 blocks in helping BCLUW reach the semifinals.

Lindsay Kruse, MB, Saint Ansgar

Kruse finished off a strong sophomore campaign with nine kills and 2.5 blocks in her first state match.

Presley Myers, MB, Holy Trinity Catholic

I scouted Myers several times during the club season after watching her here last fall. She’s one of the state’s better sophomores, regardless of school size. She tallied 25 kills and 7.5 blocks (6 solo) in this tournament.