Takeaways from Day 2 of Iowa Prep Dig Sizzle ’24

CORALVILLE, Iowa - Top Class 3A programs tangled here on Wednesday during Day 2 of the Iowa Prep Dig Sizzle.. To nobody's surprise, Mount Vernon showed it's the favorite, at least on this side of the state. Meanwhile, Mid-Prairie and Davenport Assumption provided evidence that they could be back here at Xtream Arena for the state tournament.   The Golden Hawks and Knights squared off to start the morning. The best-of-three match went the distance with Assumption taking the third set, 16-14, after Mid-Prairie claimed the second, 30-28. Both teams looked connected, especially considering they just started practicing.   These teams feature proven, all-state level talent surrounded by sound complementary pieces. [player_tooltip player_id='230661' first='Ellah' last='Derrer'], [player_tooltip player_id='215761' first='Ellie' last='Schubert'] and [player_tooltip player_id='215757' first='Alyssa' last='O'Neal'] form an impressive trio for the Knights, while [player_tooltip player_id='215395' first='Dakota' last='Mitchell'], [player_tooltip player_id='389071' first='Harper' last='Pacha'] and [player_tooltip player_id='215390' first='Jovi' last='Evans'] are mirror it for the Golden Hawks. And, again, both squads boast plenty of good players beyond those six.   Right after facing Mid-Prairie, the Knights moved over one court to take on Mount Vernon. The opening set was a wild ride.   The Mustangs led 7-0 before Assumption clawed back to claim a 19-17 lead. Derrer's block of [player_tooltip player_id='215385' first='Chloe' last='Meester'] highlighted the comeback, but the Mount Vernon star and her teammates rallied in closing out the set, 25-22. They used that momentum in capturing the second set, too.   Mount Vernon then slid over one court for a contest against Iowa City Liberty, a team expected to make noise in 5A. It lasted three sets with the Lightning ending it 15-9 in the third.   I wrote some about Liberty and Assumption in my <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/08/takeaways-from-day-1-of-iowa-prep-dig-sizzle-24/">Takeaways from Day 1</a>, but this was my first look at the Mustangs. Their goal should be, and I'm sure is, a state championship.   Meester, a Louisville commitment, dominated the action Wednesday, showing improvement in her serve and back-row play. She also was locked in and leading her teammates throughout the morning, always a good sign.   [player_tooltip player_id='215389' first='Sydney' last='Maue'] came over from Center Point-Urbana High, where she was an all-stater in '23. The Arkansas commit brought her powerful lefty swing here on Wednesday and wore out opponents.   [player_tooltip player_id='215387' first='Sydney' last='Huber'] expertly set up Meester and Maue Wednesday. Her game has grown since last season. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='508657' first='Paige' last='Schurbon'] and Eryn Jackson can be relied upon at their respective positions, and sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='555712' first='Sophia' last='Meester'] and [player_tooltip player_id='488579' first='Mavrik' last='Schweer'] showed they're ready for bigger roles after getting their feet wet on the varsity last season.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   As I mentioned Tuesday, the coaches prioritized development, building chemistry and forming rotations ahead of winning during the Sizzle. That seemed like a wise approach with the season just weeks away.   That said, you could definitely get a feel for teams' potential heading into a new campaign. The schools that showed up here all have a chance for memorable seasons.   That certainly includes Iowa City Regina, which hadn't won a match yet when it took on Mount Vernon in the last round of the event. The Regals showed growth from Tuesday to Wednesday, pushing the Mustangs in the opening set. [player_tooltip player_id='261094' first='Reese' last='Naeve'], [player_tooltip player_id='403543' first='Addie' last='Bollier'], Ella McLaughlin, Caitlin Martin and company will evolve more and have a chance for success in 2A.   Mid-Prairie also found wins tough to come by this week but will be a factor with Regina in the River Valley Conference. [player_tooltip player_id='215395' first='Dakota' last='Mitchell'], [player_tooltip player_id='389071' first='Harper' last='Pacha'] and [player_tooltip player_id='215390' first='Jovi' last='Evans'] have plenty of help in Lanee Duwa, [player_tooltip player_id='730801' first='Callie' last='Huber'], [player_tooltip player_id='753942' first='Avery' last='Helmuth'], [player_tooltip player_id='389067' first='Katelyn' last='Harland'], Brylee Gearhart and others.   I got to see a little bit of Denver and Edgewood Colesburg during their first Sizzle competition on Wednesday. The former will be a factor in 2A, while the latter can do damage in 1A.   Denver's [player_tooltip player_id='389012' first='Channing' last='Johnson'] can set with the best of them, while sisters [player_tooltip player_id='389017' first='Bailey' last='Mullihan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='389009' first='Grace' last='Mullihan'] can control matches from the front row. Ed-Co is led by a strong group of juniors, including [player_tooltip player_id='476860' first='Lilee' last='Boriskey'], Samantha Wessel, McKenna Hoefer and Savannah Drips.

CORALVILLE, Iowa - Top Class 3A programs tangled here on Wednesday during Day 2 of the Iowa Prep Dig Sizzle.. To nobody's surprise, Mount Vernon showed it's the favorite, at least on this side of the state. Meanwhile, Mid-Prairie and Davenport Assumption provided evidence that they could be back here at Xtream Arena for the state tournament.