Road to June 15th: Iowa’s Memorable 2027 Showcase Alums

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're still thinking about our Iowa neighbors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We ended May in Des Moines for this year's edition of the Midwest Live Showcase. Although I primarily cover my home territory in Nebraska, this event was an exciting foray into the Hawkeye State to see the next wave of Midwest talent. This wasn't my first trip to an Iowa showcase, either.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, with the Iowa Region still fresh in our minds, we're bringing our Road to June 15th series across the Missouri River. I've crossed paths with several elite Iowa 2027s through my multi-year coverage of Iowa showcases, and it's a good time to bring back a few more of those memories. We're less than a week away from starting a new recruiting journey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["443092"],"_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-6845334dc53d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rogers is one of the most impressive athletes we've ever seen on the Prep Dig Circuit. She brings unmatched physicality to the net and combines it with enough range to hit indefensible angles. Our encounters with Rogers on the qualifier circuit have also revealed her game-changing presence as a six-rotation athlete who can thrive in the back row. Our in-person glimpse at Rogers in one of last year's showcases left a lasting impression--even as a Nebraska scout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["493601"],"_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-6845334dc5439"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Waukee Northwest has churned out an endless supply of spectacular volleyball athletes, and our Iowa showcases have always served as a reminder of the program's dominance. Ladwig took over at last summer's showcase and could score over the top of well-positioned blockers. Her strong, technical approach serves her well on both pins, making Ladwig an ideal L1 in a starting rotation. She hit nearly 0.300 as a sophomore and has more to gain with last year's Class 5A runner-up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["412719"],"_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-6845334dc54a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Here's another Iowa PowerPlex star for the list. Harbour looked incredibly comfortable as she competed in her home gym during the 2024 showcase circuit. Of course, this libero has also translated her savvy defense to high-stakes venues and regional qualifiers. Harbour's quick first step puts her in the right spot to control tips and roll shots to the center of the court. She can also dig plenty of heat in the crosscourt, especially as she competes against the nation's best with PowerPlex.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["493982"],"_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-6845334dc54ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If you're looking for the most intimidating athletes from Iowa's past showcases, Doeden is an excellent choice. Her physicality and power were immediately apparent as we began positional drills during last year's Des Moines showcase. Doeden is impressively nimble for a middle blocker of her length, and she works hard to be an available attacker in transition. Cherokee Washington will be glad to have their show-stopping middle back in the lineup after Doeden hit 0.330 as a sophomore.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["316380"],"_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-6845334dc5530"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're always excited to see Iowa City athletes make the westward trek to Des Moines showcases. Miller was a tremendous addition to last summer's showcase and brought a full array of ball-control prowess to the court. This versatile athlete has been an all-state honoree with Iowa City Liberty and racked up a team-leading assist total at the setter spot. However, Miller was also a frequent frontcourt weapon who could put away tough balls on the right side. [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] has harnessed these skills during the club season, allowing Miller's stock to ascend further.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["555773"],"_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-6845334dc5592"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Platform Elite has given us no shortage of Iowa showcase standouts over the years. Barudin was a 2024 showcase gem who excelled in the energetic, fast-paced environment of the Prep Dig Circuit. The Pleasant Valley standout turned heads with her explosiveness off the floor and her ability to turn out-of-system swings into terminal moments. And, like many of the pins we've seen at Iowa events, Barudin is flexible enough to play on either side of the setter. She does it all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["729559"],"_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-6845334dc55d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Let's include a 2027 athlete who participated in our most recent Midwest Live Showcase. Garnder joined the fray for last month's event and was a reliable backcourt contributor during team scrimmages. Her defensive instincts were also on display as she dimed digs during early positional work. Gardner represents Ballard High School, where she was a consistent starter last fall and racked up nearly 200 digs in her sophomore campaign. Expect another uptick in production later this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->