2025 Club Assessments: Top 10 Most Improved

As we cascade towards nationals and the end of the 2025 club season, it's a wonderful time to look back on what has been a memorable campaign. I feel fortunate to have witnessed a lot of the high-level performances from student-athletes across the state. I only wish I could have scouted more of you.   It's what makes compiling player rankings and all-state teams difficult. Nobody is an expert on every volleyballer in Iowa. It's impossible. That doesn't mean we should avoid amplifying notable efforts as long as we add context.   With that in mind, this piece begins a series of posts doing so in different categories. They're my observations from in-person evaluations.   First up, student-athletes I noticed making big gains during club:   [player_tooltip player_id='389818' first='Hanley' last='Schmidt'], OH, Select Mizuno 17   Schmidt played an important role during Pleasant Valley's dominant run to the 2024 Class 5A state title with 67 kills. She's built on that experience this club campaign, standing out as one of the top attackers on a Select outfit with a loaded roster. With the natural gifts of leaping ability and long arms, Schmidt is maximizing those talents by becoming more technically sound and consistent through repetitions. I fully expect a big senior year for her during the Spartans' pursuit of another championship.   [player_tooltip player_id='273001' first='Ellie' last='Wilson'], OH/DS, United 16-1 Elite   Wilson's inclusion here is due to several factors. First, she works hard improving every aspect of her game. Two, she's finding success as a six-rotation performer for the Iowa regional champs. Experienced as an impactful attacker for several years, Wilson has steadily increased her back-row game. She's covering more ground these days and consistently delivering precise passes off of those digs. Her development makes it much more likely Liberty will get back at the state tournament in 2025.   [player_tooltip player_id='316380' first='Hadley' last='Miller'], S, [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] 16R   Miller is Wilson's teammate at Liberty. That's a good sign for the Lightning this coming season as it attempts to get back to state. For her part, Miller has continued developing as a setter. There's the precision, awareness and consistency you like to see continually trending up at the position. Then, Miller has turned into a dangerous attacker with an improved vertical leap and more power in her swing. She's more consistent with it as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='490014' first='Maliya' last='Cobb'], RS, Impact 17-1 Elite   Cobb caught my attention early in the club season, and I was fortunate enough to track her progress throughout the campaign, the last time being at the Windy City Qualifier in late April. An explosive athlete at the opposite pin, Cobb has a power-driven attack. The operation includes a nice vertical, hang time and torque in her left swing. Cobb should step into a bigger roll for Ankeny in 2025, when its coaches will be looking to replace production lost to graduation.   [player_tooltip player_id='753974' first='Brynn' last='Roozeboom'], OH, Impact 17-1 Elite   Cobb's club teammate, Roozeboom shines through six rotations, consistently producing through all of them thanks to a broad-based skill set. She's a powerful attacker at the pin with a repeatable operation ending with a mighty swing. The block is another strength for Roozeboom thanks to timing and getting clean reads on the opponent's plan. She defends effectively in the back row, too, via quick reflexes and lateral movement.   [player_tooltip player_id='455732' first='Tessa' last='Holtorf'], S, PowerPlex   Holtorf helped PowerPlex to the Iowa Regional championship and a lot of other success this club campaign. She's fought for her chance to shine playing for a pair of the state's best programs. With graduation losses at Dowling, Holtorf is sharpening her game leading up to her opportunity this prep season. She's capable of being a key player for the Maroons as a setter that can do it all. With a good feel for where her hitters like the ball and the ability to get it there on time. Holtorf's stock is rising.   [player_tooltip player_id='517585' first='Sariah' last='Sherman'], MB/OH, Adrenaline   The club season has been another significant step forward for Sherman, who played a key role in Clear Creek Amana's return trip to the state tournament with 171 kills (.232) and a team-best 79.0 blocks. In watching her performing with Adrenaline, she'd improved all aspects of her game from when I scouted her during the prep campaign. Sherman's agility and athleticism in the middle makes her a two-way threat as an attacker and blocker.   [player_tooltip player_id='555775' first='Alexis' last='Stilwell'], DS/L, Platform Elite   Stilwell has spent time developing in the Pleasant Valley program, and her progress is showing this club season. Watching her at the Windy City Qualifier in late April, Stilwell shined as the Platform Elite libero. She appeared to possess natural gifts needed at the position, like quick movements and reflexes. I noticed her knack for reading the attack and path of the serve. Stilwell usually was positioned to make a good pass and, more often than not, did so.   [player_tooltip player_id='769693' first='Stella' last='Zmolek'], RS, CIA   Zmolek has grown physically and developed her volleyball skills in a noticeable way during the last year plus. Her height and long arms make her effective on the right side. Zmolek has an advanced swing for her age with plenty of room to grow more consistency. With a good feel for the incoming attack, she adds in jumping ability and agility to defend well at the net. Zmolek has room to go before hitting her ceiling, and she should be considered a school-ball breakout candidate for 2025.   <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/myla-rude-2/">[player_tooltip player_id='763526' first='Myla' last='Rude']</a>, DS/L, Ohana   Rude could have rested on her laurels following a freshman season at Valley that saw her come up with 249 digs. Spoiler Alert: She didn't. Rude showed out during Ohana's run to the gold bracket at the Iowa Regional. In addition to being technically sound with good instincts, Rude plays hard all the time. She's grinding to make a play until she hears the whistle. It's a big reason why she's taken a step forward this club season and should be a key factor in 5A for three more seasons.

As we cascade towards nationals and the end of the 2025 club season, it's a wonderful time to look back on what has been a memorable campaign. I feel fortunate to have witnessed a lot of the high-level performances from student-athletes across the state. I only wish I could have scouted more of you.