2028 Watchlist: Arrows Up for These Ballers

<!-- 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>Prep Dig Iowa recently unveiled its <a href="https://prepdig.com/iowa/rankings/2028-watch-list/">2028 Watchlist</a>. It included student-athletes having already impacted action at the prep and club levels, and others expected to do the same soon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've had a chance to scout quite a few performers in this class since the start of the last high school season. It's proven to be one with a lot of promise. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'll try to write up as many evaluations as I can for players in the group. Here's the first batch:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["775096"],"_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":762031,"_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-682cd681add67"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I scouted Baker several times during the 2025 club campaign. She's an intriguing prospect because of her versatility and skill. Baker played opposite pin when I watched Impact at the Northern Lights and Iowa Regional Qualifying tournaments. She also rotated in at setter on occasion. Athleticism and agility are the main traits that allow her to play multiple positions. She's explosive and gets off of the court quickly. The Indianola student also stands out on the softball diamond. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["765307"],"_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":764959,"_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-682cd681addd8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Blythe stood out right away when I watched her operating on the CIA 15U squad this club season. That outfit finished fourth at the Iowa Regional Qualifier. Blythe shows promise at the pin with her leaping ability, powerful swing and good sense for where to direct the attack. She's an asset as a defender, too, with her quick jumping and timing on the block. Blythe produced 102 kills and 72 digs as a Grundy Center freshman last season and is poised to increase those numbers significantly in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["754649"],"_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-682cd8f0cb7a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I scouted Dirks during the Northern Lights National Qualifier and again at the Iowa Regional Qualifier. She stood out among the talent on Plex's second 15U team, a testament to the deep pool of talent in the club. Dirks would be on the top team for a lot of organizations. Her long arms, anticipation and agility help her defend at the net. Dirks jumps well and brings a powerful attack with her to the top of her leap. She should be ready to impact a North Polk varsity that graduated a lot of production after she shined for the freshman team in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["775057"],"_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":693182,"_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-682cdae8bb0b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Embretson caught my attention last season during an in-person scout at Benton's home tournament. She's picked her game up even more this club season, helping CIA to a fourth-place finish at the Iowa Regional Qualifier. Embretson is just scratching the surface of her sizable upside as a volleyballer. It will be a matter of honing her skills to complement her athleticism. She contributed 105 kills and 167 digs as a Bobcat freshman in 2024. Embretson should take on a bigger role and increase her statistics as a 10th-grader. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["775157"],"_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":770489,"_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-682cdc8bc2c1e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I watched Evans compete at last August's Prep Dig Sizzle, at the state tournament and several times this club season. One thing is for sure, she's a tremendous athlete. Evans flies around the court and displays quick actions. She moves well laterally and anticipates the attack well. While she will operate through six rotations with the Golden Hawks, she's a standout back-row performer for United. Evans produced 155 kills, 116 assists, 431 digs and 35.0 blocks as a freshman on a state-tournament qualifier in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["767026"],"_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":764958,"_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-682cdf12a981f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">CIA finished fourth among a deep field at the 2025 Iowa Regional Qualifier with Gerdes holding down the libero spot. She covers a lot of the court with her quickness and athletic ability. Gerdes benefits from sharp reflexes and by getting strong reads on the attack. She holds up well in serve-receive and communicates clearly with her teammates. She should have a chance to compete for playing time on the Cedar Falls varsity this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->