2028 Watch List: Scouting Top Sophomores-To-Be

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you haven't had a chance yet, now's a great time to check out Prep Dig Iowa's recently released <a href="https://prepdig.com/iowa/rankings/2028-watch-list/">Class of 2028 Watch List</a>. It's stocked with talented student-athletes packed with potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at five on the list and a bonus pick from my personal notebook:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["533845"],"_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-682e58cc3f232"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Otte announced her presence as a Williamsburg freshman last fall. The ninth-grader pounded out 158 kills (.290) and came up with 37.0 blocks. Otte has carried over that impactful play into her club campaign with a United team competing in the AAU open division next month. I watched her an MLK event and again at the Windy City National Qualifier during club action. She's a powerful and athletic middle. Otte has the versatility and agility to succeed at the pins, too. She jumps well and generates impressive power in her swing. The upside here is high with three years of high school remaining.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["775051"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":763342,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-682e58cc3f2e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Secory is a part of a talented core at Waukee returnees in 2025 after the program reached the state tournament last year, perhaps ahead of schedule. I watched her compete at the Northern Lights Qualifier and Iowa Regional Qualifier during the club campaign. Secory looks like a student-athlete that can help the Warriors get back to state again. She's a fundamentally sound back-row performer. Reading the attack well, Secory gets in position with that asset and by the aid quickness. She communicates well and limits unforced errors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[768502],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":751256,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-682f18b49e7a2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've scouted Whitford in person a lot this club season. Each time she impressed with her well-rounded skill set. Whitford is probably at her best hitting from the pin, but she's also quick and reliable in the back row. She compensates for not being as tall as other outside hitters with impressive explosion off of the court and a big vertical leap. With room to add strength, Whitford already generates power with a technically-sound swing. She sees the court well and adjusts to what she reads from the defense as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["697463"],"_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-682f1c0e3726a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Small's development is one I've witnessed the last three club seasons. I also watched her perform as a West High freshman last year, when she delivered 100 kills (.289) and 81.0 blocks in the state's largest classification. Small has worked hard to sharpen her volleyball skills so they would complement her natural gifts. Her long arms are a big obstacle for opposing attacks. Small times her blocks well and her agility helps her move into position to deliver. The consistency of her attack has steadily improved as has the power in her swing. Her slide attack is leading the way there. Small has one of the highest upsides of anyone in Iowa's 2028 Class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["769693"],"_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-682f1ca43911a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've watched Zmolek develop her game during the last two club campaigns. She's made tremendous progress with plenty of room to go before hitting her ceiling as a player. That's exciting considering her advanced game at present. While some student-athletes shy away from hitting opposite pin, Zmolek embraces it. Her skillset works wonderfully at that pin. She's an explosive athlete with power in her swing and long arms to shine with the block. Agile and athletic, Zmolek could succeed on the outside and also work out in the middle, too. Expect her to step into a primary varsity role with the Trojans' graduation losses.</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":" Keira Mueller","_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":"5'8u0022","_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":"Cedar Rapids Kennedy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Adrenaline ","_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-682f2069cc4cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mueller is part of a talented young nucleus at Kennedy that could have the Cougars making noise once against the MVC. As a freshman last season, she saw time in the rotation and started four matches. She finished with 36 digs, seven kills and five blocks, and ranked second on the squad with 36 ace serves. That early success as ninth-grader in the state's largest classification has given her confidence this club season with Adrenaline. Mueller has continued honing her versatile game and should see her role increase with Kennedy this coming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->