Takeaways from Day 2 of Iowa Prep Dig Sizzle ’24

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CORALVILLE, Iowa - </strong>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right after facing Mid-Prairie, the Knights moved over one court to take on Mount Vernon. The opening set was a wild ride. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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,&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='730801' first='Callie' last='Huber'], [player_tooltip player_id='753942' first='Avery' last='Helmuth'],&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='389067' first='Katelyn' last='Harland'], Brylee Gearhart and others. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->