Which 2026s Made Gains at #PDTop250ExpoIA?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seasoned veterans paved the way at Iowa's Top 250 Expo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My second stop during last weekend's showcase doubleheader was Des Moines, Iowa, for our Top 250 Expo in the Hawkeye State. This venue has drawn extraordinary numbers in past years, but this latest group cleared every bar with over 120 athletes participating in the event. We are so privileged to see such a stacked group of players--and that means we have a lot to talk about, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The conversation starts with the 2026s. This class will soon be the senior leaders in Iowa and beyond, and several names stood out among the upperclassmen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402663"],"_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-675792c9b5893"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're starting with one of many strong all-around ball-control players at Sunday's expo. Grennan primarily competed as a setter and showed more of her natural distribution skills during team drills. However, this Center Point-Urbana standout can also play exceptional floor defense, particularly in the right-back area. Her steady platform yielded some impressive serve-receive reps, so Grennan's positional range continues to expand.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["490017"],"_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-675792c9b58f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">RVA is on the board with one of their strongest defenders from the Class of 2026. Schlief brought an infectious energy to Sunday's defensive drills and was also an effective communicator in the passing pattern. The junior defensive specialist did a lot more than rack up digs for Southeast Valley in 2024. Schlief also logged some setter reps and dropped in triple-digit kills for good measure. Versatility is a huge plus with this 2026 prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[443091],"_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-675792c9b5939"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Norwalk High School has given us so many dynamic athletes to watch on the Prep Dig Circuit. Hammond ranks among the best and was a physical force at the outside hitter spot. She demonstrated some exceptional vision by going around and through opposing blockers during the expo's team drills. Hammond was also comfortable with swapping pins and playing out-of-position if needed. The junior attacker hit nearly 0.300 this year while also pacing Norwalk in blocks--a solid foundation for a senior surge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["552892"],"_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-675792c9b597d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">St. Ansgar's 2024 tournament appearance was anchored by some steely veterans along the net. Kruse was a key cog in that group with nearly 200 kills on a 0.289 clip this fall. The Six Pack standout was a do-everything athlete at our expo and was equally proficient on the pin and in the middle. This multi-positional impact defines what has made Six Pack so successful on Iowa's club circuit, and we're looking forward to seeing that again next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["552898"],"_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-675792c9b59bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kovarna's physicality set her apart among her pin-hitting peers. She was a constant scoring threat in last weekend's six-on-six drills and did not relent in the back row, either. These traits put Kovarna at the top of Hinton's kill chart this year with over 300 on a 0.350 clip. When injuries transformed the Blackhawk lineup, Kovarna's leadership kept the team's positive momentum rolling into the postseason. This experience is already paying off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["500120"],"_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-675792c9b5a02"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We can't forget about one of Iowa's most high-profile scorers. Borwick piled up over 400 kills for Nevada this fall, bringing the Cubs to the cusp of a state tournament appearance. Last weekend's expo showed more of the effortless elevation that made her nearly unstoppable on Iowa's prep stage. Expect a few more eye-popping moments with IPVA to kick off 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["497594"],"_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-675792c9b5a48"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Maassen is a six-rotation weapon who has shined in her past couple of seasons with Iowa City Liberty. She racked up triple-digit kills for the Lightning this fall while also bolstering the team's defense and serve-receive. Maassen's highlight tape reveals her willingness to swing from anywhere along the net, especially on the 2-tempo set in the middle. Her versatility flourished again at the Top 250 Expo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->