Standout Teams From Iowa Prep Dig Sizzle 2025

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/08/prep-dig-iowa-sizzle-day-1-photo-gallery/">Day 1 Photo Gallery</a>   <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/08/prep-dig-iowa-sizzle-2025-day-2-photo-gallery/">Day 2 Photo Gallery</a>   <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/08/iowa-prep-dig-sizzle-2025-day-1-recap/">Day 1 Writeup</a>   <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/08/wrapping-up-prep-dig-iowa-sizzle-2025/">Day 2 Writeup</a>   <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/08/setters-who-thrived-at-prep-dig-iowa-sizzle-2025/">Setters That Sizzled</a>   CORALVILLE, Iowa - Another Prep Dig Iowa Sizzle turned out to be a success with teams from around the state earning important reps this week here at The GreenState Family FieldHouse. Final scores were less important than building chemistry and working on rotations.   The best way to scout these events is by picturing the potential of teams. If this group of players connect, how good can this outfit be?   Keep than in mind when reading these thoughts on teams standing out at the 2025 Sizzle (and thank you for doing so):   CLEAR CREEK AMANA   The Clippers left little doubt this week that they can make a run at a state title. The roster is packed with talented student-athletes, particularly in the front row.   Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='361168' first='Averie' last='Lower'] and [player_tooltip player_id='243457' first='Emily' last='Henderson'], who have played a whole of high-level volleyball throughout their careers, are a wonderful foundation. They're always on the court, providing production and leadership. Their classmate, [player_tooltip player_id='517585' first='Sariah' last='Sherman'], has expanded her game from the middle of the net to hit pin and take back-row reps. [player_tooltip player_id='493660' first='Bailey' last='Simpson'], also a middle by trade, looked comfortable hitting pin this week and shows promise defending the back. [player_tooltip player_id='516002' first='Julia' last='Schlarbaum'] solidified her case for being one of Iowa's best sophomores with a strong argument for No. 1.   DAVENPORT ASSUMPTION   As I've written already, the Knights impressed me more than any other team relative to their classification. Meaning, if you asked me a team that can give Western Christian a run for its money this season, it would be Assumption.   [player_tooltip player_id='230661' first='Ellah' last='Derrer'] is as good as any player in the state, period. [player_tooltip player_id='389006' first='Carsyn' last='Kelley'] has a claim of being its top setter, and [player_tooltip player_id='694203' first='Belle' last='Cotton'] is one of Iowa's best sophomores. Most programs would envy having Derrer and [player_tooltip player_id='630696' first='Erin' last='Robbins'] covering the middle of the net.   PLEASANT VALLEY   The defending 5A state champs took part in Day 1 of the two-day Sizzle. Their matchup against Iowa City West, which won in three sets, had a lot of eyeballs on it. The outcome didn't change the opinion that they can repeat.   [player_tooltip player_id='243182' first='Isabelle' last='Kremer'] always has been a weapon at the pin, but continued showing an ever-improving all-around game here. Having one of the state's top players always is a good place to start. Attackers [player_tooltip player_id='261085' first='Maren' last='Ouellette'] and [player_tooltip player_id='389818' first='Hanley' last='Schmidt'] are positioned for all-conference recognition, and potentially all-state laurels as seniors this season. [player_tooltip player_id='490015' first='Mazie' last='Sweers'] is a coach's dream in that she can impact matches through six rotations. She might add more responsibilities this season as well. [player_tooltip player_id='493657' first='Addison' last='Allaman'] looked ready for a bigger role.   IOWA CITY WEST   They have high hopes on Melrose Avenue. After their one-day performance at the Sizzle, it appeared justified.   [player_tooltip player_id='360642' first='Sophia' last='Austen'] displayed the game that has her among the best players in the state. She's sharpened the attack and skills away from the pin. Play here indicated that Lila Eastvold and [player_tooltip player_id='697463' first='Audrey' last='Small'] were ready to build on their breakout campaigns of '24. Williamsburg transfer [player_tooltip player_id='533845' first='Taylor' last='Otte'] teamed with Small to give the Trojans strength in the middle, and Xavier transfer [player_tooltip player_id='540833' first='Izzie' last='McDonald'] will help significantly in the back row. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='754657' first='Cyan' last='Blommer'] is a phenom who flashed potential to stay on the court through six rotations.   IOWA CITY LIBERTY   Following a four-year run to the state tournament with a combined record of 125-19, the Lightning have been under .500 the last two seasons. A new coach, returning production, improved players and newcomers give Liberty a chance to get back to state. I felt that way coming into the Sizzle and left feeling the same.   Twins, [player_tooltip player_id='316419' first='Edie' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='316380' first='Hadley' last='Miller'], showed again that they are among the state's best at libero and setter, respectively. [player_tooltip player_id='273001' first='Ellie' last='Wilson'] brought a little more pop to her attack and looked sharp through six rotations. Middle hitter [player_tooltip player_id='493985' first='Sydney' last='Van Heukelom'] appeared ready to build on her all-conference honors. After the established returnees, the Lightning can reach its potential if student-athletes like [player_tooltip player_id='845222' first='Ava' last='Meidlinger'], [player_tooltip player_id='851646' first='Ashlyn' last='Nordell'], [player_tooltip player_id='809038' first='Maya' last='Sojka'], [player_tooltip player_id='765628' first='Lyla' last='Chandler'] and others continue gaining consistency. The return of the injured [player_tooltip player_id='497594' first='Lucy' last='Maassen'] would be a big boost.   CEDAR RAPIDS KENNEDY   The Cougars have a new coach and emerging talent to be much better than a year ago. They faced tough competition for two days here and competed well throughout.   Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='525829' first='Addison' last='Phillips'] and [player_tooltip player_id='808100' first='Skyylan' last='Ousley'] displayed all-conference ability. If you don't know it already, Charley Lovell is a setter of note. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='621326' first='Dylan' last='Amling'] does a lot of things well on the court. [player_tooltip player_id='730456' first='Lextyn' last='Pankey'] helped strengthen the back row. Kennedy appeared to have quality depth for a sound rotation throughout.   HUMBOLDT   The Wildcats provided signs of a bright future in making the regional finals last season before falling to 3A power Western Christian. They return a lot of production from 2024 and showed this week that a trip back here for the state tournament was a realistic goal.   [player_tooltip player_id='261087' first='Mia' last='Schluter'] is a hammer at the pin and one of the better attackers in 3A. She'll impact matches through six rotations. Fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='758779' first='Kendall' last='Works'] also stands out around the court, including at setter. Works can help elsewhere thanks to [player_tooltip player_id='545946' first='Addison' last='Waldorf']'s development as a top setter. Sophomores like Waldorf, [player_tooltip player_id='746258' first='Adelynn' last='Goodell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='833174' first='Jazzie' last='Dodd'] also are ready to break out. [player_tooltip player_id='801455' first='Claire' last='Dieleman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='794177' first='Gracie' last='Johnson'] can be strong in the back row.   NORWALK   Class 4A is rugged, but Norwalk looked like a state tournament contender this week. It's a group that will need growth in connecting, but, no doubt, the potential is there for a big season.   [player_tooltip player_id='560368' first='Elle' last='Hatlevig'] ranks among Iowa's best sophomores and is constantly improving. When she rotated off the pin, [player_tooltip player_id='829942' first='Ava' last='Carlson'] stepped in with a heavy attack. [player_tooltip player_id='814104' first='Jacelyn' last='Crane'] and [player_tooltip player_id='827468' first='Myla' last='Brown'] were sound in the middle, and [player_tooltip player_id='443091' first='Jillian' last='Hammond']'s expected return from injury early in the season will help the front row tremendously. [player_tooltip player_id='493974' first='Hadley' last='Michael'] missed the second day of competition here but has proven that the team's setter responsibilities are in good hands. [player_tooltip player_id='809159' first='Reese' last='Heim'] has grown a lot as a libero in the last year.   DENVER   The defending 2A state champions competed on the second day of the event. Even without standout [player_tooltip player_id='389009' first='Grace' last='Mullihan'], who's expected back later this month, they played at a high level that should have them in the hunt for a repeat.   [player_tooltip player_id='389012' first='Channing' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='389017' first='Bailey' last='Mullihan'] performed like the stars that they are. [player_tooltip player_id='827473' first='Mylee' last='Thurm'] was a difference-maker in the middle of the net, [player_tooltip player_id='835359' first='Madeline' last='Hildebrandt'], [player_tooltip player_id='739138' first='Mackenzie' last='McEwan'], [player_tooltip player_id='755663' first='Adeana' last='Murch'] and others appeared ready to contribute more in 2025.   BETTENDORF   The Bulldogs reached the regional finals last season and looked this week like an outfit that can take the next step to be back here for state. It was one of the more connected teams I watched.   [player_tooltip player_id='806603' first='Makenna' last='Miller'] deserves a lot more attention for what she can do on the court. She's dangerous on the attack but contributes through six rotations. The same can be said of [player_tooltip player_id='575805' first='Dyllan' last='Harn']. [player_tooltip player_id='474884' first='Peyton' last='Nagle'] has improved a lot since last season, making her one of the best 5A middles. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='569671' first='Logan' last='Ramstack'] appeared to have sharpened her skills since the end of last season.

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