Day 1 at President's Day St. Louis Notes & Observations

ST. LOUIS - The Nike President's Day Class got underway with a flourish Saturday here at the Americas Center. Iowa Clubs put their best work on display against a strong field from around the country.   I saw Rockets 16R for the first time this season. It featured high-end talent, some of which helped the club's 15s make a deep run last year.   Libero [player_tooltip player_id='316419' first='Edie' last='Miller'] returned to the back row. She's someone I've scouted for a few years and has never disappointed. Watching a player dig up pace might be more enjoyable than seeing a colossal kill.   During the high school season, her opportunities were limited compared to her freshman season. Miller earned a reputation as a wall in 2023, resulting in opponents hitting away from her.   That's why it's enjoyable seeing her tested during the club season. Miller's quick-twitch reflexes and lateral quickness shined through on Saturday. Being able to show that is super important for colleges to see this year.   Her twin sister, [player_tooltip player_id='316380' first='Hadley' last='Miller'], took a sizable step forward during the high school season, improving her swing and defense at the net. She'd already established herself as a consistent setter and back-row defender. That process has continued during the last few months as evidence by her strong play here on Saturday.   The same can be said for multi-sport standout [player_tooltip player_id='493658' first='Hattie' last='Galloway']. The sophomore middle hitter from Iowa City High continues turning heads of college coaches in volleyball while navigating the prep basketball season, playing hoops on Friday before trekking here. Her combination of length, agility and explosive is uncommon.   That trio helped Rockets compete in one of the better matches I saw on Saturday. Although they fell in three sets to Alabama Performance, it was a toss-up match with the final set being decided by a 16-14 score. The scouts flocking around the court all day came away impressed with the Galloway and the Miller twins.   The stars have help as well. Layla Green springs off of the floor, while [player_tooltip player_id='758812' first='Kaylee' last='Hagstrom'] and [player_tooltip player_id='758808' first='Dani' last='Piper'] provide needed versatility. All three are athletic.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   There's certainly no shortage of athleticism on Select 17 Mizuno. It's a group loaded with standouts that's starting to gel.   This 17 Mizuno squad impressed me last month at their home tournament, although it looked disconnected at times. That wasn't the case on Saturday when it took down Circle City in a three-set thriller.   The combination of [player_tooltip player_id='389006' first='Carsyn' last='Kelley'] setting [player_tooltip player_id='230661' first='Ellah' last='Derrer'] is as deadly as it gets in the state. And by that I mean the kills are a plenty.   [player_tooltip player_id='455710' first='Kiley' last='Devery'], who joined this outfit for the season, has settled nicely into six rotations and teams up with Derrer to be a wall on the right side. Devery also is improving her swing proficiency.   McKenzie Moeller ranks has one of the more entertaining players in the state. The junior is a powerful package of strength and athleticism through six rotations.   [player_tooltip player_id='389818' first='Hanley' last='Schmidt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='630696' first='Erin' last='Robbins'] showed again on Saturday why they're two of the rising 11th-graders that college scouts should be tracking. Likewise, [player_tooltip player_id='261052' first='Ainsley' last='Haedt'] added to her reputation as one of Iowa's best in the back row.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Adrenaline 17-Marty proved formidable in my first live scout of it this season. It also played without standout setter [player_tooltip player_id='389012' first='Channing' last='Johnson'] and Lucy Maasen, one of Iowa City Liberty's top performers.   [player_tooltip player_id='215390' first='Jovi' last='Evans'] did it all in helping Mid-Prairie reach the state tournament in the fall. Saturday, she locked down the back row at libero. Her Golden Hawks teammate, [player_tooltip player_id='389071' first='Harper' last='Pacha'], once again provided six-rotations of sound play.   [player_tooltip player_id='389016' first='Mya' last='McCoy'], [player_tooltip player_id='389068' first='Miley' last='Manternach'], Sophia Sander, [player_tooltip player_id='517585' first='Sariah' last='Sherman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='754002' first='Braelin' last='Wieseler'] took turns shining as two-way contributors at the net. [player_tooltip player_id='447581' first='Grace' last='Knock'] fit nicely into this group as a consistently good libero, and [player_tooltip player_id='753986' first='Grace' last='Whalen'] kept the show rolling at setter.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   I only saw a bit of Rockets 15R on Saturday but will seek them out more this season after being impressed during theat glimpse. [player_tooltip player_id='730426' first='Hazel' last='Schluckebier'], already one of the best young setters in Iowa, is adding explosion to her game, which is leading to bigger swings as her game expands.   Julia Settles and Charleigh Whitford have developed into a six-rotation staple for this squad. [player_tooltip player_id='547963' first='Grace' last='Kremer'] and Brooklynn Kelley team up to cause opponents trouble in the middle of the net, and Kathrine Barickman turned heads up front with power in her right arm.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Iowa United boasted a pair of teams I saw for the second time this season. Its 17-1 Elite team posted a 2-1 mark on Day 1 with [player_tooltip player_id='389854' first='Kampbell' last='Bryte'] and [player_tooltip player_id='261093' first='Reagan' last='Schulte'] continuing to impress with versatility and consistency. Tyra Jones did it all for this team on Saturday, and [player_tooltip player_id='753959' first='Briley' last='Kaalberg'] has taken big steps forward at middle hitter.   United 16-1 Premier played well in Kansas City last month and did the same on Day 1. Kaitlin Loria and [player_tooltip player_id='493985' first='Sydney' last='Van Heukelom'] stood out Saturday as they did during the prep season as two underrated athletes that will make more noise for the next few years.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Rockets 17R was missing its top player with six-rotation dynamo Reese Naeve sidelined by injury. It battled through the absence in the Open Division courtesy of a deep and talented roster beyond her.   Maren Ouellette often is overshadowed on her state-champion Pleasant Valley outfit but keen college scouts that saw her Saturday perform through six rotations that she can help them somewhere. Macie Lupkes, Emily Henderson, Payton Nagle and Kennedey Whitford all are among the best juniors at their positions, that talent on readily apparent in Day 1.

ST. LOUIS - The Nike President's Day Class got underway with a flourish Saturday here at the Americas Center. Iowa Clubs put their best work on display against a strong field from around the country.