Show-Stopping Pin Hitters Dominate at #PDMidwestLive

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have a lot of standouts to cover.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before heading to Des Moines for Friday's showcase action, we wondered which <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/05/trends-and-storylines-were-following-at-pdmidwestlive/">position groups</a> would steal the spotlight. The entry list put nearly two dozen pin hitters on our radar, but we had to see if the group's quality would match its quantity. These players did not disappoint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our first spotlight from #PDMidwestLive focuses on a group of can't-miss outside hitters and opposites who ran the show in Des Moines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["555796"],"_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-683ba719b2cd5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Burrell knows what it takes to be a showcase standout. Friday's event wasn't her first appearance on the Prep Dig Circuit, and I was fortunate enough to cover her exceptional outing at last year's Top 250 Expo. The Waukee Northwest standout was an immediate standout as we worked through early warmups at Friday's event. Burrell adapted to hitting on both pins and formed connections with whichever setter she worked with in scrimmages. This pin hitter is ready-made for showcase environments and is ready for her upperclassman tenure at Northwest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["730403"],"_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-683ba719b2d4b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Norwalk High School athletes continue to deliver highlight moments at our Des Moines showcases. Steele distinguished herself as an all-around left-side hitter who thrived in wide variety of drills at Midwest Live. She wielded her quick right arm in the front row but was also a reliable asset in the serve-receive pattern. Passing next to some unfamiliar teammates is an extraordinary challenge, but Steele embraced the opportunity to lift others up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["536274"],"_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-683ba719b2dac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">West Des Moines Valley has been no stranger to high-impact outside hitters over the past several years. Connolly might be the next in line after her strong freshman showing with the Tigers last fall. Her influence could be seen on the left side or as a backcourt substitute and serving specialist. We shouldn't be surprised that Connolly excelled at our showcase after bringing so many attributes to the court in her first high school season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["730098"],"_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-683ba719b2e13"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We saw a little team cohesion at Friday's event with so many Dowling Catholic entries in the gym. Crane proved she could be a go-to asset on the right side, and she also brings some experience as a middle blocker. Her physicality and lateral quickness make her an ideal fit for either role, allowing Crane to move around the dial during Midwest Live's scrimmages. Roots Volleyball Club is making moves in the Iowa Region lately, and the Class of 2028 is already showing a lot of promise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["560368"],"_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-683ba719b2e6b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We were thrilled to see Hatlevig add her name to the entry list and bring another level of explosiveness to the Horizon Events Center. Hatlevig effortlessly elevates off the floor and can adjust to any tempo or location on the outside. She's another athlete who has made multiple stops at Iowa showcases, but Friday's event revealed Hatlevig's considerable growth and sky-high ceiling. This Iowa Premier athlete already looks like a top-tier prospect in the state's 2028 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["777812"],"_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-683ba719b2ed3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Welcome to the future. Dolbeare was among several 2029s at our showcase and displayed maturity beyond her years. This Ankeny Christian freshman-to-be has an impressive medley of shots in her arsenal, including some effective rolls shots in front of backcourt defenders. Dolbeare also wielded her impressive blocking technique to get ahead of opposing attackers in team drills. Her upward trajectory is just beginning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["612152"],"_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-683ba719b2f24"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's about time we brought some Iowa [program_tooltip program_id='490821' first='Power' last='Plex'] stars to the spotlight. Whitver was one of the most impressive all-around 2029s in the gym Friday night. She has generated eye-popping moments along the net but is equally effective when handling first contacts. Team scrimmages brought out Whitver's stabilizing presence in the middle-back area, and she's an outlet attacking threat there, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->