Takeaways from Day 1 of Iowa Prep Dig Sizzle '24

CORALVILLE, Iowa - High school teams from around Eastern Iowa (and a few from Wisconsin) converged on Green State Fieldhouse Tuesday afternoon for Day 1 of the first-ever Iowa Prep Dig Sizzle. The event was filled with fun matchups and some of the state's top players, all of whom hope to be back here in November for the state tournament.   Coaches mixed and matched their lineups in preparing for the upcoming campaign. That was the priority.   The day started with a matchup of Class 5A powers Pleasant Valley and Iowa City Liberty. The Spartans pulled out the first set, 26-24, before winning the second, 25-18.   These programs are top-notch and loaded with high-level talent. They should be firmly in the hunt for a trip back here later in the fall.   Pleasant Valley's [player_tooltip player_id='243182' first='Isabelle' last='Kremer'] continues improving her all-around game and her swing seems to get better each time I see her. [player_tooltip player_id='508627' first='Stella' last='Smith'] is one of the state's top middles, and [player_tooltip player_id='490015' first='Mazie' last='Sweers'] has noticeably taken a step forward since shining as a freshman last season. Lauren Brohm is a well-rounded setter, and [player_tooltip player_id='215760' first='Gabriella' last='Ragins'] is a sound two-way middle.   Senior S/OH [player_tooltip player_id='215429' first='Asta' last='Hildebrand'] is a tremendous leader and all-around performer for a still-young Liberty squad. [player_tooltip player_id='316419' first='Edie' last='Miller'] is an amazing libero, and [player_tooltip player_id='273001' first='Ellie' last='Wilson'] looks ready for a big sophomore year. [player_tooltip player_id='316380' first='Hadley' last='Miller'] is a sharp setter, and [player_tooltip player_id='497594' first='Lucy' last='Maassen'] is poised for a big year. [player_tooltip player_id='493985' first='Sydney' last='Van Heukelom'] looks much more comfortable and is delivering in the middle.   Liberty will be back for Day 2 of the Sizzle on Wednesday. The Lightning matches up with a loaded Mount Vernon outfit.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Clear Creek Amana, Davenport Assumption, Iowa City Regina, Cedar Rapids Kennedy and Mid-Prairie will join Liberty in competing during both days of the Sizzle. It will be interesting to see if the teams returning to the gym are more settled in than the new arrivals.   I'm looking forward to getting closer look at Assumption on Wednesday after seeing a limited amount on Day 1. The Knights are formidable with dominant middle [player_tooltip player_id='230661' first='Ellah' last='Derrer'] leading the way. When the junior is at her best, she's as good as anybody in the state.   Assumption senior [player_tooltip player_id='215761' first='Ellie' last='Schubert'] showed here why she's one of the most consistent setters around. Her classmate, [player_tooltip player_id='215757' first='Alyssa' last='O'Neal'], contributes all around the court.   Regina did what Regina does on Tuesday. The Regals faced bigger schools to sharpen their skills. Iowa State commit [player_tooltip player_id='261094' first='Reese' last='Naeve'] was among the top players Tuesday, showing off improved explosion and power. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='403543' first='Addie' last='Bollier'] is more relaxed and locked in heading into her sophomore season, and Caitlin Martin definitely looked poised for a big senior campaign.   CCA lost a lot of talent to graduation, but illustrated Tuesday that it will very competitive once again. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='361168' first='Averie' last='Lower'] and [player_tooltip player_id='243457' first='Emily' last='Henderson'] appeared ready to lead the squad after helping the Clippers reach the state tournament the last two seasons. Their classmate, [player_tooltip player_id='517585' first='Sariah' last='Sherman'], is ready for a bigger role. I thought freshman [player_tooltip player_id='516002' first='Julia' last='Schlarbaum'] might help CCA this fall when seeing her during club season, and she did nothing to change that opinion on Tuesday.   Class 3A is really competitive, but Mid-Prairie looked like a contender on Tuesday. The Golden Hawks are led by diminutive libero [player_tooltip player_id='215395' first='Dakota' last='Mitchell'], who delivered a solo block and showed off an impressive swing. Mitchell, [player_tooltip player_id='389071' first='Harper' last='Pacha'], [player_tooltip player_id='730801' first='Callie' last='Huber'], [player_tooltip player_id='215390' first='Jovi' last='Evans'], [player_tooltip player_id='753942' first='Avery' last='Helmuth'] and Lanee Duwa play connected volleyball and the core of team with potential.   Cedar Rapids Kennedy's [player_tooltip player_id='215388' first='Adalyn' last='Hermanson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='215393' first='Jenna' last='Younge'] will be two of the top players in the MVC. The Cougars really used Tuesday to work on different player combinations and as a chance to develop for the season.   Cedar Rapids Prairie's [player_tooltip player_id='215742' first='Carly' last='Wazac'] was nursing an injury but it was hard to tell. The lefty landed some powerful kills and defended the net. The setter position remains in the good hands of [player_tooltip player_id='221340' first='Taylor' last='Ray'].   If you're not doing anything Wednesday morning, come on down to Green State Fieldhouse for some great volleyball. Check out the schedule <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tddyGMvpGP3XZdXJ5OWYWzodeRI4ybV8NqDTkwJh5yo/edit?gid=815085116#gid=815085116">HERE</a>.

CORALVILLE, Iowa - High school teams from around Eastern Iowa (and a few from Wisconsin) converged on Green State Fieldhouse Tuesday afternoon for Day 1 of the first-ever Iowa Prep Dig Sizzle. The event was filled with fun matchups and some of the state's top players, all of whom hope to be back here in November for the state tournament.