What Iowa Freshmen Are Making An Early Impact?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The freshman year is always exciting, sometimes a little scary, but to make an impact at a varsity sport is no easy feat. With one month of school and a varsity season under their belt, there are some freshmen making their impact felt in the 2024 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["560368"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66e8835ebed58"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='560368' first='Elle' last='Hatlevig'] has length, athleticism, and a pop to her swing that makes her one of the top attackers out of the Class of 2028.  She first made a splash at the Midwest Live Showcase in Des Moines last spring, and now she is doing big things on the varsity court for Norwalk.  Norwalk is off to an 11-6 start where they have played a grueling schedule.  Hatlevig leads the state for freshman in total kills with 142 kills, over three kills per set.  She has also racked up 23 aces from behind the service line.  The Warriors are back on the road next Saturday in another talent filled tournament at Waukee. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Morgan Kooiman ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Western Christian","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66e8835ebee16"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Western Christian had a huge weekend where they had ranked wins over Boyden-Hull, MOC-Floyd Valley, and Sioux Center.  One of the breakout stars for the Wolfpack this season is Morgan Kooiman who has tallied 108 kills so far this season and hitting over .300.  She is among the top five in the state for freshmen in kills, total blocks, and hitting efficiency.  The Wolfpack have won ten of their past 11 matches.  They will have a rematch coming up this week against Sergeant Bluff-Luton who is the only Iowa team to defeat Western this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block 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last='Evans']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Mid-Prairie","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66e8835ebee99"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another Evans is taking the court for Mid-Prairie and making an early impact for Mid-Prairie.  Jeorgia's older sister [player_tooltip player_id='215390' first='Jovi' last='Evans'] is an all around player as well where she is a high level setter and attacker at the high school level and a libero for her club team.  [player_tooltip player_id='775157' first='Jeorgia' last='Evans'] has 100 assists, 75 kills, and 180 digs.  She is a total swiss army knife type of player who has an impact in all facets of the game.  Mid-Prairie has a big upcoming conference match against undefeated Wilton where both teams are in the hunt for the River Valley South Conference. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='523160' first='Lily' last=''] Sell","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"North Tama","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66e8835ebef11"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">North Tama has been a Class 1A power where they are going head to head with some bigger schools on Saturday tournaments.  They have a new athlete making an impact in freshman [player_tooltip player_id='523160' first='Lily' last=''] Sell.  Sell is second in the state for all freshman with 130 total kills on the season.  She makes for a great 1-2 punch with junior attacker [player_tooltip player_id='389013' first='Kruiz' last='Ewoldt'] who has 166 kills on the season.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["545971"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66e8835ebef55"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Waukee Northwest is the defending state champion of Class 5A and this year's team has no seniors currently in the lineup.  Contributing as a freshman at a program like NW is no joke, and Cordes is making the most of her first month of high school.  She has 56 kills and hitting .277.  She is one of the top freshman blockers in the state with 26 total blocks.  Cordes can run multiple tempos and has a major spring in her jump that allows her to get up quickly and find the openings.  She is connecting really well with junior setter [player_tooltip player_id='389019' first='Avery' last='Vogt'] who has nearly 300 assists so far this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Belle Cotton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Davenport Assumption","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Iowa Select","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66e8835ebefc9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Davenport Assumption has had some big time athletes who have had an impact as freshmen and Belle Cotton in next in line. Assumption is one of the top teams in Class 3A where Cotton has already tallied 54 kills, 52 digs, and leads her team in aces with 26. The Knights have a big week coming up with a conference match with Muscatine and a highly talented tournament in Clinton. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>A Few More To Know…</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lola Qualiano</strong> of Western Dubuque is leading all freshman in total assists for the Bobcats. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='604510' first='Aleigha' last='Cahoy']</strong> has been an impact player for New Hampton with 100 total kills so far this season, she is also one of the top freshmen defenders with 118 digs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dallas Center-Grimes had freshman breakout stars last year in [player_tooltip player_id='493973' first='Gwen' last='Farley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='394331' first='Maggie' last='Leifker']. This year, they are led defensively by freshman<strong> Anna Jackson </strong>who has over 150 digs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carroll-Kuemper is off to a blistering start with a 19-0 record.  They have two freshman making their presence known in <strong>Mariah Heuton and Kolbi Peter,</strong> these two have combined for over 150 kills so far this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->