Who Made Big First Impressions at #PDMidwestLive?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last weekend's showcase was about reunions and first impressions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I traveled to Des Moines as Prep Dig's Nebraska scout, eager to learn more about Iowa's up-and-coming talent. Despite my Nebraska allegiance, I had covered past Des Moines showcases and recognized several names on this year's Midwest Live entry list. However, we were also bound to make a few discoveries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This feature embraces the unfamiliar. Here are a few players who excelled during my first in-person look in Des Moines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["754242"],"_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-683d11fb494e6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith was a leader among the Midwest Live's 2027s and seamlessly transitioned from one drill to the next. She has experience on both pins during her prep career, allowing her to shift around the dial during scrimmages. The Cedar Falls native has enjoyed a productive late-season stretch with Six Pack and produced some double-digit kill performances at the Show Me Qualifier. Smith's showcase outing is the perfect launching point to her upperclassman tenure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["754572"],"_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-683d11fb4954c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">German can do a little of everything on the court, so we were glad to see her enter the fray in Des Moines. Her backcourt prowess took precendence at Midwest Live, but German has also logged reps as a pin hitter for Urbandale High School. This experience makes German particularly comfortable in the middle-back area, where she can cover plenty of space along the end line. Stocks are rising at Iowa Impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["742600"],"_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-683d11fb4959a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Iowa's Assumption High School is always a safe bet for impressive volleyball talent. Hodge, like German, can turn heads whether she's anchoring the backcourt or hitting in the front. She embraced her defensive specialist roots at Midwest Live and built off a successful campaign with Iowa Select 15 Mizuno. Hodge gets her feet to the ball quickly, setting up her midline to produce pinpoint passes. Her floor defense is just as sharp and was an asset to her team during scrimmages. Look for more from Hodge and 15 Select at this weekend's Prep Dig Gauntlet in what could be one of our biggest circuit events ever.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["758163"],"_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-683d11fb495ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's about time we got some setters in on the action. Morrow competes with the Dowling Catholic volleyball juggernaut and has exhibited even more growth with [program_tooltip program_id='555793' first='RVA' last='Roots']. This savvy signal-caller is not afraid to push the tempo to the pins and has ample athleticism to play all six rotations. Midwest Live also put setters through various defensive drills, and Morrow was one of the best at locking down the right-back area. This was a setter you wanted on your side of the net for team scrimmages.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["771525"],"_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-683d11fb49644"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Add another dynamic setter to your list. Lampe carried the banner for the Class of 2028 and was an phenomenal pin-to-pin distributor in Des Moines. Showcases require setters to find a flow with several unfamiliar allies, and Lampe was primed to thrive under these circumstances. Most of all, this Linn-Mar freshman can bring a vocal presence and leadership qualities that are needed from your starting setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["773976"],"_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-683d11fb49698"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Yesterday's feature discussed a handful of standout middle blockers, but we still have more to add to that list. McCaulley was another Iowa Select 15 Mizuno standout who took advantage of Friday's showcase and demonstrated her complete arsenal. She can generate positive block touches at the net to help her team in transition, and McCaulley is apt to convert on some of those transition opportunities, too. This imposing athlete is raring to join the Pleasant Valley lineup after the Spartans hoisted last year's 5A title trophy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["775721"],"_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-683d11fb496ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I'm always decided to see the next wave of standouts at West Des Moines Valley. Clark brought a familiar medley of termination and ball control that has made Valley so stout in past seasons. This 2028 athlete looked right at home in Iowa [program_tooltip program_id='490821' first='Power' last='Plex']'s home gym and found success in various lineups in team drills. That adaptability will pay off as Clark competes with a stacked group of 15s across the Iowa Region. Postseason play awaits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->