State Tournament Teams Return To Iowa Sizzle

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Dig Iowa Sizzle is back and it will return multiple state tournament teams from Iowa and even one from Wisconsin this week at the Green State Fieldhouse in Coralville. Take a look at some big time teams and the athletes they are returning and what could be a prelude of the state tournament in November. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15wIyZzNJBDd4ADw6Q9PrIFP8PDXQaIEUB4UZVSSB8VM/edit?gid=793060284#gid=793060284">Prep Dig Iowa Sizzle Schedule</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":547882,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/65-Bailey-Simpso.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-547882"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='493660' first='Bailey' last='Simpson'], Clear Creek Amana</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Clear Creek Amana</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CCA is on a roll where they have found a way to finish their season in Coralville the past three seasons.&nbsp; They advanced last year to the Class 4A State Tournament where they dropped a heartbreaker to Pella in five sets.&nbsp; There will be plenty of fuel for the fire heading into 2025 where they return some key pieces. [player_tooltip player_id='243457' first='Emily' last='Henderson'] is a high motor setter who gets the offense going where she had just over 900 assists in 2024.&nbsp; She is a South Dakota State School of Mines commit.&nbsp; On the pin they will have one of the top athletes in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='361168' first='Averie' last='Lower'] who is on track to be a top basketball commit out of the Class of 2026.&nbsp; Out of the middle is [player_tooltip player_id='493660' first='Bailey' last='Simpson'] who had over 200 kills as a sophomore.&nbsp; She has a unique skill set that is a blend of finesse and power where she is a lockdown middle blocker who can transition to be available as a high efficient scorer.&nbsp; CCA always has a loaded schedule and will look to take on a battle tested conference schedule in the WaMac.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":719996,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/11/137A0057.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-719996"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Assumption '28 [player_tooltip player_id='694203' first='Belle' last='Cotton'] (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig)</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Davenport Assumption</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights are another team that has made it a tradition by playing their final match of the season on the biggest stage.&nbsp; They were state champions in 2023 and are another team who plays a challenging schedule.&nbsp; They return Kansas State commit middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='230661' first='Ellah' last='Derrer'].&nbsp; She has been a force offensively and defensively where she provides a big block and hits a heavy ball.&nbsp; There is also a maturity about her game where she can find the open spot when the opposing side is keying on shutting her down.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='694203' first='Belle' last='Cotton'] returns after a breakout freshman season and will be sure to turn more heads as a sophomore.&nbsp; She has an electric swing where you can look for her to put up plenty of points. The Knights will also welcome the addition of Pleasant Valley transfer [player_tooltip player_id='389006' first='Carsyn' last='Kelley'] who is committed to Evansville.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":850813,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/RG1A0601.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-850813"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='389012' first='Channing' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='827473' first='Mylee' last='Thurm'] of Denver.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Denver</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Denver is another team that rose to new heights by claiming a state title in Class 2A in 2024.&nbsp; They return a loaded senior class who have racked up plenty of wins across multiple sports.&nbsp; They will return four of their top five attackers led by [player_tooltip player_id='389017' first='Bailey' last='Mullihan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='389009' first='Grace' last='Mullihan'] who have given their verbal commitment to St. Cloud State.&nbsp; They bring a blend of IQ and power to the court where they find ways to score points.&nbsp; The one who runs the show is [player_tooltip player_id='389012' first='Channing' last='Johnson'], the senior setter who has over 3,000 assists in her career.&nbsp; She has length, athleticism, and physicality that makes her a threat to score on her own and find favorable matchups for her attackers.&nbsp; She will head to Wayne State in Nebraska.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":527590,"width":"671px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/DSC06792.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-527590" style="width:671px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='459898' first='Aubrey' last='Frey'] </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Luxemburg-Casco (WI)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Luxemburg-Casco returns to the Prep Dig Iowa Sizzle from Northeast Wisconsin where they were the D2 state runner up would be the equivalent to Class 3A/4A in Iowa.&nbsp; They return three key contacts in libero Rylan Kaminski, setter [player_tooltip player_id='284079' first='Alayna' last='Deprez'], and outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='459898' first='Aubrey' last='Frey'].&nbsp; These three will look to keep the Spartans at the top of their class as they take on a daunting schedule against some of the top teams in Wisconsin.&nbsp; Frey is the top ranked outside hitter in Wisconsin's Class of 2027 who brings a variety of shots from the pin and the backrow and is lockdown defender and can handle a high volume of serve receive pressure.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":850812,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/08/RG1A0453-crop-3188x2093-1754262763.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-850812"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='215390' first='Jovi' last='Evans'] of Mid-Prairie</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mid-Prairie</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mid-Prairie broke through to the Class 3A state tournament in 2024 where they drew the eventual state champion in Mount Vernon.&nbsp; In 2025 they return four of their top attackers for 2025 where they have quite the blend of ball control and offensive power.&nbsp; One player to note will be [player_tooltip player_id='215390' first='Jovi' last='Evans'] who does it all for the Hawks.&nbsp; In 2024, she had 359 kills, 584 assists, and 374 digs.&nbsp; Other attackers to know will be [player_tooltip player_id='808755' first='Jeorgia' last='Evans'], [player_tooltip player_id='807984' first='Katelyn' last='Harland'], and [player_tooltip player_id='389071' first='Harper' last='Pacha'].&nbsp; They will also return setter [player_tooltip player_id='753942' first='Avery' last='Helmuth'].&nbsp; This could be a big year for the Hawks.&nbsp; They got a piece of the pie last year and will be looking for more.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":728258,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/RG1A0346.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-728258"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='389818' first='Hanley' last='Schmidt'] of Pleasant Valley</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pleasant Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top team in the state in Class 5A state champions, Pleasant Valley.&nbsp; This school is accustomed to state tournaments and state titles.&nbsp; They return Class 5A Player of the Year in [player_tooltip player_id='243182' first='Isabelle' last='Kremer'] who recently gave her verbal commitment to Drake.&nbsp; The Bulldogs also picked up one of the setters in the Class of 2026 in [player_tooltip player_id='389019' first='Avery' last='Vogt'] out of Waukee Northwest.&nbsp; The Spartans also return pins in [player_tooltip player_id='389818' first='Hanley' last='Schmidt'], [player_tooltip player_id='261085' first='Maren' last='Ouellette'], and [player_tooltip player_id='490015' first='Mazie' last='Sweers'].&nbsp; There is no shortage of firepower in this lineup.&nbsp; They will have some fun matchups at the Prep Dig Sizzle with Norwalk, Iowa City West, and Clear Creek-Amana.&nbsp; Norwalk will be one to watch in Class 4A, Iowa City West is a team that I would pick to finish their season in Coralville, and CCA will be a favorite in Class 4A.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->