Road to June 15th: Iowa’s Memorable 2027 Showcase Alums (Pt. 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on a few more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've been covering elite 2027s across the map as we inch closer to June 15th, the first date of open contact between college recruiters and rising juniors in the prep ranks. Of course, I've spent a lot of time discussing my native Nebraska athletes, but we've widened our Iowa scope considerably through years of showcase coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, we're dipping further into our showcase memory bank after releasing Part 1 of this Iowa spotlight yesterday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["360642"],"_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-6845f8252013b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">How about a visit with No. 1? Austen, an Iowa United standout who has excelled at the Open level, sits atop Iowa's 2027 rankings and has infinite potential at the next level. We were taken aback by Austen's athleticism at last year's Des Moines showcase, but she also brings a complete game as a six-rotation asset. She led Iowa City West with over 300 kills last year and will be aiming for more this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["490015"],"_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-6845f82520194"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Iowa Select gets in on the action with another Top 5 prospect in the state's 2027 class. Sweers amassed a triple-digit kill total with Pleasant Valley last fall and also boosted the team's ball control in the back row. These six-rotation skills always surface in showcase environments, and Sweers has logged some of her best moments on the Prep Dig Circuit. Pleasant Valley will now look to back up last year's championship triumph with Sweers remaining a major part of the effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["490016"],"_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-6845f825201dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're bringing another Ankeny star into the mix. Risk earned some valuable reps with the Hawks last fall after she scored at will during our Top 250 Expo. This Iowa PowerPlex standout was a consistent force during team drills and brought some of the best wing blocking of the event. Risk is due for an expanded role at Ankeny High School after gaining more momentum on the club side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["489997"],"_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-6845f82520220"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've been fortunate enough to cover Zaloudek around the Nebraska scene through her work with River City Jrs. She represents Lewis Central High School, positioned right across the river in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro. Zaloudek is a dynamic defender who has generated highlight moments in all zones across the back row. We've also been impressed with her out-of-system setting--always a coveted skill at River City Jrs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["443085"],"_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-6845f82520263"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pin depth is clearly a strength at Iowa PowerPlex. Edgington is another PowerPlex outside hitter who stood out at last year's Expo, and Edgington can operate on both pins and find success. She is also joining a stacked Dallas Center Grimes lineup that has brought several more showcase standouts to the spotlight in Des Moines. We'll see which position takes precedence as Edgington continues to develop as a frontcourt weapon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["490006"],"_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-6845f825202a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='428911' first='Six' last='Pack VBC'] always seems to deliver at middle blocker and opposite. Askelsen is a versatile athlete who can play either position and elevate her team's physicality at the net. Her underclassman influence was felt at Ballard High School last fall, as Askelsen tallied over 150 kills and continued improving throughout the season. That development could set the stage for a breakout junior campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["584675"],"_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-6845f825202e9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Finally, we get a shoutout for [program_tooltip program_id='428914' first='Adrenaline' last='Volleyball Academy'] and its vast cast of frontcourt talent. Linder was an Expo star who wasn't afraid to flex into multiple positions during six-on-six action. She has ample length to thrive in the middle but has also seen time as a pin hitter. This adaptability yielded nearly 200 kills last year on an equally impressive 0.329 hitting clip. As Linder's efficiency keeps rising, her attacking volume will increase, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->