Wrapping Up Prep Dig Iowa Sizzle 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/08/iowa-prep-dig-sizzle-2025-day-1-recap/">Day 1 Writeup</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/08/prep-dig-iowa-sizzle-day-1-photo-gallery/">Day 1 Photo Gallery</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CORALVILLE, Iowa - </strong>The second annual Iowa Prep Dig Sizzle wrapped up Wednesday here at GreenState Family Fieldhouse. Nearly 20 different teams from around the state measured themselves against top competition with the season right around the corner. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Day 2 of the event featured some compelling matchups that lived up to expectations. Here are scouting reports on teams I didn't cover yesterday:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DENVER</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I caught the defending 2A state champions first thing Wednesday in an intriguing matchup with 3A contender, Davenport Assumption, which <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/08/iowa-prep-dig-sizzle-2025-day-1-recap/">I wrote about</a> Tuesday. The Knights controlled this match, which wasn't surprising. They were one of the more impressive outfits in relation to their classification in this event, and Denver was without a top player. Another 3A team to watch, Humboldt, topped Denver in three sets in another match I watched. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long story short, the Cyclones will be fine. [player_tooltip player_id='389009' first='Grace' last='Mullihan'] is due back from injury later this month, and her twin sister, [player_tooltip player_id='389017' first='Bailey' last='Mullihan'], performed very well on Wednesday. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='389012' first='Channing' last='Johnson'] also shined after guiding the attack on last year's title team. [player_tooltip player_id='827473' first='Mylee' last='Thurm'] remains a factor in the middle of the net, [player_tooltip player_id='835359' first='Madeline' last='Hildebrandt'] is back impacting matches around the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HUMBOLDT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After watching this outfit over two days, I feel comfortable predicting it will be one of the most improved teams in the state. The Wildcats have a legit chance to be back in this building come the end of October, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='261087' first='Mia' last='Schluter'], who produced 256 kills last year, stood out in every match I saw this week. She can hit effectively from either pin or at the line. She shares a great connection with setter, [player_tooltip player_id='545946' first='Addison' last='Waldorf'], who was one of the better players at her position during the Sizzle. [player_tooltip player_id='746258' first='Adelynn' last='Goodell'], [player_tooltip player_id='833174' first='Jazzie' last='Dodd'] and [player_tooltip player_id='758779' first='Kendall' last='Works'] also shine on the attack. Works' versatility will be very valuable. [player_tooltip player_id='801455' first='Claire' last='Dieleman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='794177' first='Gracie' last='Johnson'] are reliable in the back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NORWALK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another squad that impressed for two days, Norwalk has an excellent chance to be back here for the state tournament. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='560368' first='Elle' last='Hatlevig'] performed among the best hitters here. [player_tooltip player_id='493974' first='Hadley' last='Michael'] missed Wednesday's matches but ran a smooth operation on Day 1. [player_tooltip player_id='829942' first='Ava' last='Carlson'] has developed her game through six-rotations, and [player_tooltip player_id='809159' first='Reese' last='Heim'] has improved in the back row. [player_tooltip player_id='443091' first='Jillian' last='Hammond'] and [player_tooltip player_id='814104' first='Jacelyn' last='Crane'] take care of the middle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BETTENDORF</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're searching for a 5A sleeper, the Bulldogs looked the part during two days competing in the Sizzle. [player_tooltip player_id='806603' first='Makenna' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='474884' first='Peyton' last='Nagle'] impressed throughout the event. [player_tooltip player_id='575805' first='Dyllan' last='Harn'] impacted matches through six rotations as she did last season. As she did a year ago, [player_tooltip player_id='569671' first='Logan' last='Ramstack'] held it down in the back row. Bettendorf already looked connected despite it being the preseason, which should bode well in its quest for a postseason return to Coralville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UNION COMMUNITY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Knights used both days of this event as important practice for the upcoming season. They advanced to the 3A regional finals after attending it a year ago. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='830328' first='Bianca' last='Grimm'] is a fun player to watch. She does everything well, including communicate. [player_tooltip player_id='754886' first='Taylen' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='730396' first='Caitlyn' last='Schneider'] are among the best middle duos in 3A. [player_tooltip player_id='790109' first='Abbie' last='Estling'] joins Grimm in being an impact performer at the pin. Union has the pieces to reach state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IOWA CITY LIBERTY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've watched most of the kids on this team grow up in the sport. They competed hard during the two days here, showing potential for a state run if it all comes together. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='316419' first='Edie' last='Miller'], and her twin sister, [player_tooltip player_id='316380' first='Hadley' last='Miller'], a six-rotation setter, are relentless competitors. [player_tooltip player_id='273001' first='Ellie' last='Wilson'] stood out through six rotations with more explosion on the attack. [player_tooltip player_id='493985' first='Sydney' last='Van Heukelom'] looks improved each time I watch her. [player_tooltip player_id='845222' first='Ava' last='Meidlinger'] and [player_tooltip player_id='851646' first='Ashlyn' last='Nordell'] have gained consistency in their games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLEAR CREEK AMANA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Clippers are establishing themselves as a perennial title contender in 4A. They certainly flashed that potential while competing here during the last two days. [player_tooltip player_id='361168' first='Averie' last='Lower'] was locked in through six rotations. [player_tooltip player_id='243457' first='Emily' last='Henderson'] was rock solid at setter, and [player_tooltip player_id='516002' first='Julia' last='Schlarbaum'] provided more evidence that she has all-state potential. [player_tooltip player_id='517585' first='Sariah' last='Sherman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='493660' first='Bailey' last='Simpson'], who were excellent two-way middles last year, have expanded their games to hit outside, while showing potential in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WATERLOO WEST</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wahawks only competed on Tuesday. I watched parts of all three matches they played. They'll be a tough out in 2025. [player_tooltip player_id='495803' first='Ava' last='Jones'] is a hammer on the outside and has expanded her skills to cover six rotations well. As she did last season, setter Allyson Landers keeps the operation running smoothly. [player_tooltip player_id='822692' first='Baylee' last='Bravender'] looked ready for a bigger role this season as did [player_tooltip player_id='840581' first='Lila' last='Homolar']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->