Fabulous Freshmen Making Noise in 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/09/iowa-prep-dig-week-4-class-team-rankings/">Iowa Prep Dig Week 4 Class Team Rankings</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've written about freshmen standing out this season, including <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/08/freshmen-on-radar-heading-into-2025/">a rundown</a> before the campaign got underway. It's been a really strong year for ninth-graders making an impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at six newcomers that haven't received a lot of attention here on Prep Dig Iowa to date: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["781517"],"_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-68d56a224ecda"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've scouted Smith on the club circuit for the last few years. She stood out the first time I watched her and has worked hard at continuing to reach her very high ceiling. Smith combines natural gifts with a competitive spirit and a technically sound game. She brings a big swing to the middle of the net, attacking off regular sets, quick sets and slides. Smith is improving her ability to read the defense and find holes in it. Defensively, she's an imposing presence. He explosion off of the court, long arms and feel for the block allows her to take over matches as a two-way force.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kate Limbaugh","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029 ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Algona","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Six Pack","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68d56b527b6ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Limbaugh operates on one of the state's top club teams for her age group and stands out on that outfit. I've scouted her for the last few years and the progress is notable. That shouldn't be surprising when you consider her parents were student-athletes at Nebraska, and her brother is a freshman on the Iowa State football team. Limbaugh is a good athlete, as well, with explosiveness and developing volleyball skills. She's versatile enough to play at the pin or in the middle of the net. Through Algona's first 16 matches, she led it with 192 (.265) kills, which also were the most among all ninth-graders in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["759977"],"_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-68d56ce293245"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's been fun watching Kirk grow as a volleyball player since she lined up with our daughter for the 12U Rockets. She's worked hard at developing her volleyball skills and also increasing in understanding the game. It's led to a great deal of success during her freshman campaign with the Wolves. Her 141 kills (.243) through the matches of Sept. 24 led the the team and ranked fifth among all freshmen in the state. Kirk is a well-rounded volleyball player that shines brightest at the pin but also helps her squad through six rotations. She ranked among the Marion leaders in digs and blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["785394"],"_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-68d56e0be8cc2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Buhman has started her freshman campaign with a bang. Midway through the season, the ninth-grader ranked fourth in her class with 153 kills (.263) and added 96 assists working as the second setter behind her talented older sister. She also recorded 56 digs and 17.0 blocks, providing evidence that she's a well-rounded volleyball player. I've scouted Buhman for a few years on the club circuit. Setter is where she brings the most value because it allows her team to utilize all the skills in her toolbox. But like she's shown as a freshman, her versatility might be her best asset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["760328"],"_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-68d56f5a76ba9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Reisner was leading all Class 5A freshmen with 171 digs heading into the last week of September. She played a key part in the Mustangs upsetting Iowa City High, which was important for a team that lost a lot of production to graduation after last season. Reisner shows a good feel for the back row, moving well with the play and getting in position to do work. Her reflexes help her react quickly to pace and in serve-receive. Reisner tracks the ball well and recognizes when she must cover. Serving also is an area where she offers the potential for impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["754537"],"_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-68d570896a2c8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing on the state's top club team for her age group for several years, Guinn can get overlooked. She shouldn't. Her potential is as great as the best freshmen in the state. Guinn is flashing it this season as a Spartan ninth-grader. Her 132 kills (.215) rank second on the team despite her starting only half of the its first 22 matches. She also contributed 17.0 blocks and 35 digs. Guinn is an explosive athlete with advanced power and strength for her age. She's worked hard on developing her all-around game, and it's showing. If Guinn can keep making the progress she has during the last few years, the sky is the limit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->