Previewing Iowa 16U at Las Vegas Nationals
In this article:
Two of the stronger 16U Iowa teams, Select Mizuno and Rockets 16R, competed at the AAU nationals in Orlando earlier this month. That thinned out the state’s entrants in the USAV nationals July 3-11 in Las Vegas. Nevertheless, Iowa will…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingTwo of the stronger 16U Iowa teams, Select Mizuno and Rockets 16R, competed at the AAU nationals in Orlando earlier this month. That thinned out the state’s entrants in the USAV nationals July 3-11 in Las Vegas.
Nevertheless, Iowa will be well represented in the desert beginning next week. Let’s take a closer look at them:
Adrenaline Doug, National Division
The gold division champion at regionals, Doug is a team with really good individual parts that perform well together. That connection continues to become stronger.
Presley Myers Presley Myers 6'2" | MB Holy Trinity Catholic | 2026 State IA is developing as an all-around player while standing out the most along the net, particularly defensively. Cambel Drapeau Cambel Drapeau 6'2" | MB Dubuque Senior | 2026 State IA ‘s strong play in the middle helps allow Myers to move around. Jovi Evans Jovi Evans 5'6" | DS/L Mid Prairie | 2026 State IA is an athletic performer with versatility, and her Mid-Prairie teammate Harper Pacha Harper Pacha 5'11" | OH Mid-Prairie | 2026 State IA also is an all-stater.
Sariah Sherman Sariah Sherman 5'11" | OH Clear Creek Amana | 2026 State IA is another nice net presence for Doug. There are few things Paycee Sorgenfrey can’t do on the volleyball court.
PowerPlex Mendoza, USA Division
Mendoza is comprised of strong talent from the central part of the state. The dynamic Kaelyn Wieland Kaelyn Wieland 5'8" | S West Des Moines Valley | 2026 State IA can do it all and usually does, while Mya Lei-Butters Mya Lei-Butters 5'1" | DS/L Ankeny Centennial | 2026 State IA is among the state’s best liberos. Brenna Baumgardner Brenna Baumgardner MB Ballard | 2026 State IA stands tall as a two-way middle, and her Ballard teammate, Hailey Flanders Hailey Flanders 5'8" | OH Ballard | 2026 State IA , is a sound all-around volleyball player.
Ava Groeteke Ava Groeteke 6'1" | RS Dowling | 2026 State IA keeps improving as a right-side with versatility. Elizabeth Greenfield Elizabeth Greenfield 5'6" | DS/L Ames | 2026 State IA and Maya Ridgeway Maya Ridgeway 5'11" | OH Ankeny | 2025 State IA also serve important roles on this squad.
Six Pack, American Division
Six Pack finished third at the Iowa regional in March. It’s put together a roster capable of doing some damage in the American Division.
Brynn Bakula Brynn Bakula 5'8" | S Cedar Falls | 2026 State IA is among the top setters in the state regardless of class, and the same can be said about Annistyn Wedgbury Annistyn Wedgbury 5'5" | DS/L Cedar Falls | 2026 State IA at libero. Bailey and Grace Mullihan Grace Mullihan 5'11" | MB Denver | 2026 State IA are formidable in the front row, while Abby Jensen Abby Jensen 5'6" | OH Dike-New Hartford | 2026 State IA is valuable as a versatile performer. Alexa Alexa Perez | 2025 IA Buhman, Allison Koch Allison Koch RS Grundy Center | 2026 State IA , Addison Millius and Morgan Ristvedt add quality depth to this squad.
PowerPlex Olson, American Division
Olson showed its mettle at the regionals when it pushed Adrenaline Doug in the championship match. That showing gave it confidence it can compete in the desert.
Pin Avery Vogt Avery Vogt 5'11" | S Waukee Northwest | 2026 State IA and standout libero Anna Pelds Anna Pelds 5'5" | DS/L Waukee Northwest | 2026 State IA helped Waukee Northwest win a Class 5A state title last fall. Maggie Craig Maggie Craig OH Waukee | 2026 State IA and Alexa Alexa Perez | 2025 IA Weber contribute all around the court, and their Waukee teammate, Stella Braddock Stella Braddock 5'11" | RS Waukee | 2026 State IA , thrives on the outside. Lauren Olson Lauren Olson DS/L Indianola | 2026 State IA and Sydney Light Sydney Light 6'0" | MB Carlisle | 2025 State IA can help out in multiple spots.
Attack SMACK, Freedom Division
SMACK reached the gold bracket at the Iowa regional. It proved there that it can compete in the Freedom Division.
Addison Brandt is a consistently reliable back-row presence, and Loycee Palmer can contribute from multiple spots on the floor. Rylie Kendall and Grace Christensen are sound in the back, while Bentley Rone and Naomi Sherrill (’27) bring powerful swings to the pins.
Rockets 16-1, Patriot Division
Lucy Maassen Lucy Maassen 5'8" | OH Liberty | 2026 State IA is an explosive athlete with a big swing, and Jessi Kucera Jessi Kucera 5'7" | DS/L Iowa City City | 2026 State IA can control the back row. Lyla Chandler, Nayomi Vasser and Mavrik Schweer Mavrik Schweer 5'3" | DS/L Mount Vernon | 2027 State IA are playing up. Averi Nielsen Averi Nielsen 5'7" | S Williamsburg Jr/Sr | 2026 State IA holds the show together as the setter for this squad,.
Two of the stronger 16U Iowa teams, Select Mizuno and Rockets 16R, competed at the AAU nationals in Orlando earlier this month. That thinned out the state's entrants in the USAV nationals July 3-11 in Las Vegas.
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading