Future Backcourt Gems from Iowa Up Next Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally, we're giving the spotlight to the liberos.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last weekend's Iowa Up Next Showcase gave us plenty of angles to cover. We've visited some <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/08/high-flying-attackers-take-command-at-iowa-up-next-showcase/">high-flying attackers</a>, <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/08/dynamic-setters-lead-the-way-at-iowa-up-next-showcase/">savvy setters</a>, and even a handful of <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/08/nebraska-visitors-shine-at-iowa-up-next-showcase/">Nebraska visitors</a> at our Des Moines outing. Our Iowa showcase visits have always included some standout defenders, too, so we have another group of future prep stars to feature.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's do it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["875733"],"_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-68af0646cee40"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[program_tooltip program_id='555793' first='RVA' last='Roots'] gets in on the action with one of its trendsetting liberos from the Class of 2030. Li was all over the floor during team scrimmages and was a confident passer when left on an island. Her enthusiasm and positivity also embodied the spirit of these showcases, especially among athletes just beginning their volleyball journey. Li will eventually join a Waukee High School program that knows how to pass and defend at an elite level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["880999"],"_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-68af0646ceea2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Get a libero who can do a little of everything. Needham has already compiled reps as a defender and an outside hitter, giving her teams plenty of lineup options. This versatility is a perfect fit for events like the Up Next Showcase, where distinctions between positions and responsibilities are often blurred. No matter where Needham found herself on the court, she provided a spark that made her a persistent standout in Des Moines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["877849"],"_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-68af0646ceeeb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We know all about the growing volleyball powerhouse at Dowling Catholic, and our showcase revealed the team's bright future through the rest of the decade. Vowels will join the Maroons next fall and has more unfinished business with Iowa PowerPlex on the club side. She enjoyed a strong spring campaign and displayed her poise and maturity at Saturday's showcase. We put defensive specialists through a gauntlet of tough serves in Des Moines, but Vowels was eager to handle this passing volume. Central Iowa talent is still on the rise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["853692"],"_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-68af0646cef32"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Add to the future talent at Dowling Catholic. Joseph carried the banner for the Class of 2031 and exhibited her precise, technical game at the Up Next Showcase. She did not hesitate to call off seams in serve-receive drills and provided first-contact stability during six-on-six action. We also got to see Joseph's secondary setting skills during scramble plays, adding to her diverse repertoire along the end line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["878413"],"_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-68af0646cef78"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">How's this for some high-level impact? Hergenrader is fresh off a 13 Spirit championship with [program_tooltip program_id='431961' first='AVBA' last=''] Jammers and took home additional hardware as the division's MVP. Liberos are often overlooked for such an honor, so Hergenrader's on-court influence cannot be denied. She was an intense competitor at last weekend's showcase and will spend more time in the Iowa PowerPlex gym next spring. Hergenrader's upward trajectory is already something to behold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["878752"],"_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-68af0646cefbc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Premier Nebraska has had plenty of success with players crossing the Missouri River from Council Bluffs. Gibson looks to be another example after she anchored Premier Nebraska 12 Gold's defense this spring. Her eastward trek to Des Moines allowed Gibson to grow her highlight tape of sprawling saves and pinpoint passes. As the "Nebraska guy" in the Prep Network sphere, I imagine I'll see plenty more from Gibson in the near future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->