Poll: Who’s the Early-Season Favorite for Top Freshman?
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The 2025 volleyball season is off to a fabulous start. Matches are coming at us fast as we barrel towards Coraville for the state tournament in early November.
A collection of talented freshmen have shined in the early going. It's always great to get a look at the sport's future with the stars of tomorrow and, in some cases, today.
With that in mind, we have the ability to run polls now at Prep Dig Iowa. I'd be interested to get your feedback on the best ninth-graders you've watched to date.
Let's take a look at freshmen I've seen this season or in club ball that are off to a fast start. Then we'll vote.
Cyan Blommer
Cyan
Blommer
5'10" | OH/DS/L
Iowa City West | 2029
IA
, OH, Iowa City West
Blommer is standing out in the state's largest classification. She ranks second among ninth-graders in kills (100) and digs (101) heading into Thursday's action. If you've seen her play, these statistics are not surprising. She's legit.
Hadassah Smith
Hadassah
Smith
6'0" | MB/OH
Cedar Falls | 2029
IA
, MH, Cedar Falls
Smith is a presence in the middle of the net on the club circuit and has brought that impactful play into her first year of school ball. Smith leads all freshmen with 22.0 blocks and her 62 kills are only seven behind her team's leader. She's hitting .331.
Julia Settles, S/RS, Pella
The daughter of former University of Iowa basketball star Jess Settles, Julia is running the show for one of the state's top 4A squads. Her 197 assists are the second most among ninth-graders and 67 digs are the third most in her team.
Zane Ehler
Zane
Ehler
6'1" | S/RS
Tipton | 2029
IA
, S, Tipton
Ehler checks in fourth among freshmen in assists (184) and her 72 digs are the second on the team. She's chipped in 32 kills (.433), and her 12.0 blocks are tied for the second most among Tigers.
Paige Davis, OH, Hudson
Davis has performed at a high-level as an all-around standout on one of the state's top club teams for her age group. It's translated over to high school, where she leads all freshmen with 114 kills. She's chipped in 57 digs and 15.0 blocks.
