Scouting Reports for '27s Standing Out in Club Season

It's a good thing I watched a lot of 16U volleyball this club season. It's helping me write evaluations for student-athletes in a deep and talented Iowa 2027 Class.   Here's a look at a half dozen prospects that impressed this winter and spring:    Part of a powerful setter duo with PowerPlex, Vanden Hull helps make sure there's steady play at the position throughout the match. She's technically sound there, which leads to consistently reliable play. Vanden Hull is athletic and agile, which aids her on-court movements and allows her to work at the opposite pin when she's not at her main position. It's a deep and talented Jaguars program, but it feels like Vanden Hull can play an important role in 2025.     Janulewicz plays for two programs loaded with talent. It leads to her sharing more reps than she would with most other outfits. No matter. She still delivers when she's on the court. Whether she's wearing the jersey or not, Janulewicz is among the state's top defensive specialists with one of the highest ceilings in that group. Janulewicz moves well in the back row, showing required quickness and sharp reflexes to stand out at the position. She's more than a one-trick pony, as well, contributing 141 kills to go with her 338 digs during the Wolves run to the 5A state championship match. Expect those numbers to rise in 2025.     Kruse can get overlooked working with a deep and talented roster that claimed the Iowa Regional 16U title this season. She has a knack for delivering when she rotates in, however, because Kruse is a player in her own right. She showed that last season during Holy Trinity's run to the state tournament. Kruse ranked second on the team in kills (310) and digs (357). She added 25.0 blocks. Kruse brings versatility to the table, too, with an ability to hit from all three front-row spots and defend at the net.     Demmer proved she could play last season whe she led the Bobcats with 447 digs as a sophomore. She's carried her prep success over to the club campaign for Six Pack. While Demmer is chasing more consistency like every defensive specialist, she delivers at a high rate with room to grow her game with continued hard work. Demmer shows quick reactions and moves well laterally. She reads the attack and most often is in proper position to make plays.     Janesville reached the state semifinals last fall with Pollock dishing out 801 assists and adding 182 digs as a sophomore. She's transferred that success over to this club season with a sound CIA team. The group finished fifth in the Iowa Region's 16U Division. Pollock is a steady hand at the setter spot. She consistently puts the ball where her attackers can swing away. Pollock is a good athlete, which helps her defend in the back row or at the net. She can attack when the opportunity arises and sees the court well enough to expose holes in the defense.     Half of a quality setter tandem for Six Pack, Geise keeps the trains running on time whenever she's on the court. Roland Story won 30 of its 35 matches last season with Geise dishing out 789 assists and coming up with 184 digs. She shows a good feel for playing the position and brings versatility to it. Geise gets the job done when it comes to setting up her teammates, but she also defends well in the back row and at the net. Her 81 kills last season for the Norsemen illustrates that she can put the ball down when given the chance and also finds holes in the defense to exploit.

It's a good thing I watched a lot of 16U volleyball this club season. It's helping me write evaluations for student-athletes in a deep and talented Iowa 2027 Class.