Previewing 15U Iowa Regional Qualifier

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weekend Two for the Iowa Regional Qualifer is upon us. Teams in the 11U-15U Divisions will compete for bids into this summer's USAV Nationals in Dallas. The action will take place at the RecPlex in West Des Moines and Ignit Sports and Fitness in Grimes. Admission is free.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've witnessed a lot of action in the 15U Divisions this season. These mostly are student-athletes that have competed at the prep level or will next season. It's the next wave of in-state standouts, if you will.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at how the 15U field shapes up in a quest for National, American and Freedom Division bids at Nationals. There's one of each up for grabs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This battle will be fun. It appears to be wide open with a couple of lesser-known clubs in the running for gold. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Iowa Premier Volleyball Club</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roster</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='545946' first='Addison' last='Waldorf'], [player_tooltip player_id='702737' first='Alena' last='Schaack'], Madison Messerly, [player_tooltip player_id='730419' first='Hailey' last='Wiederin'], [player_tooltip player_id='560368' first='Elle' last='Hatlevig'], Meryl Sandholm, [player_tooltip player_id='493974' first='Hadley' last='Michael'], [player_tooltip player_id='498069' first='Kaelyn' last='Rinehart'], Reese Heim, [player_tooltip player_id='545971' first='Avery' last='Cordes'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Skinny: </strong>This is the team from a smaller organization. Make no mistake, however, it can win this event. Premier 15-1 is loaded with talent that's that plays well toegther. Hatlevig was then only freshman in the state to earn all-state laurels in Class 5A and 4A last season. Cordes helped Waukee Northwest back to the 5A state title game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Select</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roster</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='771625' first='Chloe' last='Wilkin'], Kaitlyn Amman, [player_tooltip player_id='775133' first='Leilani' last='Wilson'], Ava Lampe, Kennedy Livengood, [player_tooltip player_id='742600' first='Piper' last='Hodge'], [player_tooltip player_id='694203' first='Belle' last='Cotton'], [player_tooltip player_id='775138' first='Laney' last='Slattery'], Rachel McCaulley, [player_tooltip player_id='775141' first='Maddy' last='Hughes'], Macee Pickering. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Skinny:</strong> I saw this team compete at the beginning of the season at the Quad Cities Showdown. Cotton ranked third in kills (168) as a freshman on a state-tournament qualifier last season. She's joined by a mix of top talent from across the Mississippi River and young standouts at successful prep programs in Iowa. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PowerPlex Jackson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roster</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='730468' first='Lyla' last='Nelson'], [player_tooltip player_id='546566' first='Tabitha' last='Molden'], Gianna Stanfel, [player_tooltip player_id='729146' first='Anna' last='Jackson'], [player_tooltip player_id='730423' first='Harper' last='Rus'], [player_tooltip player_id='775048' first='Ella' last='Subbert'], [player_tooltip player_id='775051' first='Ingrid' last='Secory'], Berkley Weiland, [player_tooltip player_id='732859' first='Elle' last='Isaacson'], [player_tooltip player_id='730392' first='Aylin' last='Adamson']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Skinny:</strong> I watched this squad win the American Division at last week's Northern Lights Qualifier in Minneapolis. With that bid wrapped up, PowerPlex will be aiming for bid in the National Division. It also presents potential for a trickle-down bid. Weiland can set and swing opposite pin, Nelson shines at setter, Rus plays six rotations, Isaacson has a mighty right arm and Jackson is one of the state's top liberos. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CIA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roster</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='775057' first='Anna' last='Embretson'], Brylie Henze, [player_tooltip player_id='775066' first='Emmery' last='Dodd'], Elsie Gerdes, Lola Quagliano, Jenna Blythe, [player_tooltip player_id='755663' first='Adeana' last='Murch'], [player_tooltip player_id='785730' first='Landry' last='Aikey'], [player_tooltip player_id='545984' first='Kamdyn' last='Moore'], [player_tooltip player_id='775094' first='Lauren' last='Meaney'], Kenley Mather. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Skinny:</strong> I scouted this team during that early-January QC Showdown. It's capable of competing well at this regional. [player_tooltip player_id='755663' first='Adeana' last='Murch'] helped Denver win a state championship during her ninth-grade season in 2024. [player_tooltip player_id='775066' first='Emmery' last='Dodd'] was a starting setter as an Osage freshman last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='431961' first='AVBA' last=''] Force</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roster</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='877006' first='Breeze' last='Bentz'], Sarah Munger, Olivia Nehring, Tenley Heidemann, Callie De Bruin, Emerson Hutchins, Morgan Fisher, Reagan Hogan. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Skinny:</strong> The Ankeny Volleyball Association is a smaller club compared to the others listed here with the exception of Premier. It's a squad comprised of multi-sports standouts, such as Bentz, Hogan, Heidemann, De Bruin, Hutchins and Munger in softball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rockets </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roster</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='730426' first='Hazel' last='Schluckebier'], [player_tooltip player_id='547963' first='Grace' last='Kremer'], [player_tooltip player_id='759979' first='Julianna' last='Montez'], [player_tooltip player_id='730449' first='Kylee' last='Suhr'], [player_tooltip player_id='775146' first='Reagan' last='Miller'], Charleigh Whitford, Lauren Heying, [player_tooltip player_id='534719' first='Allyson' last='Gibbs'], Julia Settles, [player_tooltip player_id='751549' first='Katherine' last='Barickman']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Skinny:</strong> I've watched this squad throughout this season. When it's clicking, it can be very good. Schluckebier paced Class 5A freshman in assists last season. She doubles as an opposite pin here. Whitford contributes through six rotations. Suhr is a factor in the middle of the net. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Impact</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Roster</strong>: [player_tooltip player_id='775096' first='Avery' last='Baker'], [player_tooltip player_id='754848' first='Annabell' last='Niggemeyer'], Taylor GIlbreaith, [player_tooltip player_id='754780' first='Ella' last='Fineran'], [player_tooltip player_id='754572' first='Mia' last='German'], Emersyn Ott, [player_tooltip player_id='762174' first='Addison' last='Matlock'], [player_tooltip player_id='775103' first='Molly' last='Bilyeu'], [player_tooltip player_id='536274' first='Ryan' last='Connolly'], [player_tooltip player_id='612179' first='Olivia' last='Grubbs']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Skinny:</strong> I've seen Impact on a few occasions this season, including at least week's Northern Lights Qualifier. Connolly and German produce through six rotations, Niggemeyer and Fineran form a sound 1-2 punch in the middle of the net, Matlock is a take-charge libero and Grubbs is a precise setter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->