Pin Hitters Gaining Momentum after #PDTop250ExpoIA

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa's pin hitters had a lot to prove at last weekend's showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our post-event coverage of Iowa's Top 250 Expo rolls on. We've already covered middle blockers and high-impact 2026s, but we still have a large void to fill at the outside hitter spot. Several pins captured our attention in Des Moines, so we're ready to shift the spotlight toward a few more up-and-coming athletes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Consider this an early watch list for 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["493601"],"_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-675efdc577fb6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ladwig was among the most intimidating opposites at last weekend's event. When we moved into six-on-six drills, Ladwig took over the frontcourt by going over the top of well-formed blocks. This allowed the Iowa PowerPlex standout to hit indefensible angles, giving backcourt players little time to read and react. Waukee Northwest took full advantage of these strengths and got nearly 250 kills out of their sophomore star this fall. Ladwig can reach even higher in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["555796"],"_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-675efdc578015"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Waukee Northwest is back in business. Burrell joins Ladwig on the list of high-impact Wolves to participate in Sunday's showcase. We saw Burrell's multi-pin influence as she brought plenty of heat no matter where she was swinging along the net. She will likely carry a right-side hitter role with [program_tooltip program_id='555793' first='RVA' last='Roots'], a club racking up a growing talent base in the Class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["514991"],"_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-675efdc57805c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This is our first chance to bring up the Fearless Volleyball Club, and this group has a future frontcourt leader to build around. Bro was a high-flying terminator at our Top 250 Expo, and her athleticism translated to positional drills and team competitions. The South Tama sophomore was also a willing defender who wasn't afraid to pass large chunks of the court during serve-receive reps. Look for Bro to expand the Iowa club landscape with Fearless this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["493977"],"_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-675efdc5780a0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While we're discussing that expanding Iowa club map, let's bring in a hard-hitting outside hitter representing Legit VBC this spring. Peters showcased her incredible six-rotation prowess at last weekend's event, and her numbers with BCLUW tell a similar story. She piled up nearly 300 kills for the Comets and finished just shy of a 0.300 hitting clip. Peters has also emerged as a reliable defender who should see more all-around reps on the club circuit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["730403"],"_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-675efdc5780e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Norwalk High School rises again. We've highlighted so many athletes from this school over multiple years of the Iowa Top 250 Expo series. We can now add Steele to this discussion after she put in a wealth of quality reps at last weekend's showcase. This sophomore has an aggressive crosscourt shot that can work through or around any hands in front of her. Steele is also comfortable with turning down the line to complete her full offensive repertoire. Her reign will continue with Ohana to kick off 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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-675efdc578123"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Did we mention that Norwalk has a ton of extraordinary athletes? Hatlevig is just a freshman, but she has already written a chapter of her growing legacy with the Warrior program. She led Norwalk with 400 kills this fall and helped the team accumulate an impressive 28-14 mark. This Iowa Premier outside hitter is a true backcourt scoring threat who hits with impeccable rhythm on the pipe. The Iowa Region will surely know Hatlevig's name as we get deep into the 2025 club season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["516002"],"_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-675efdc578164"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This feature is already full of club variety, so why not bring Iowa United into the mix? Schlarbaum appears ready for an exceptional club season after she almost reached triple-digit kills in her debut season with Clear Creek Amana. The Top 250 Expo revealed Schlarbaum's refined footwork and attention to detail in her pin-hitting approach. Expect a few more entries in her highlight film next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->