Scouting Reports: Ankeny Hawks 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-3-class-team-rankings/">Iowa Prep Dig Week 3 Team Rankings</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IOWA CITY, Iowa - </strong>Ankeny traveled a few hours east Saturday for the Live Like Line Tournament at Iowa City West. The Hawks won their pool and finished 4-1 in the event. They've had to replace a lot of talent lost to graduation, including a pair of Power 4 recruits, but looked to be gelling well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at six Ankeny student-athletes who played well: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["389074"],"_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-68cadd45a7e55"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Flanders stood out as one of the top liberos at Iowa City West's Live Like Line Tournament early in the 2025 season. It continued what has been a breakout season for a student-athlete replacing a Power 4 athlete at her position. Flanders showed everything you want to see out of a performer in the back row. She is quick-twitch athletic that moves well laterally, a great foundation for success. The Ferris State commitment complements the natural ability with sound fundamentals and excellent communication skills. Flanders does well in helping keep her team connected on the court. She was credited with 221 digs through the team's first 20 matches of her senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["555797"],"_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-68cadf73bb9cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ellison shined during the Live Like Line Tournament early on in the 2025 season. It was a continuation of the great start to her junior season. Ellison piled up 130 kills through her team's first 21 matches, nine more than she had during all of her sophomore campaign. I caught her playing at the LOVB Iowa Showcase in early June. Ellison had taken another step forward before arriving at Iowa City West for this event. Ellison isn't the tallest pin, but she impacts matches with athletic explosion, hang time and a consistent operation. She's good at playing within herself and not trying to do too much with her attack. When the conditions are right, she will terminate points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["730419"],"_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-68cadf73bba6d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wiederin stood out when I scouted her during the club campaign. She looked like a rising star with a high ceiling. When watching her again at the Live Like Line Tournament during the early part of the 2025 season, she confirmed herself as a factor with whom opponents must contend. On a loaded Ankeny roster, she was settled in on the right side for this event. Wiederin looked comfortable and impactful in that role. The attack from there impressed just as much as when she was hitting outside in club. Truthfully, Wiederin could succeed anywhere across the front of the net. She's tall with long arms and athleticism. Through her team's first 21 matches, she led it in kills and ranked second in blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["490016"],"_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-68cadf73bbaf5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A part of talented rosters, Risk can get lost in the shuffle sometimes. She shouldn't. Risk is an impactful performer on the club circuit and has carried that over into school ball this fall. She played well during the Live Like Line Tournament in early September at Iowa City West. It was a field with a strong group of middle hitters, and she held her own against all of them. I've seen Risk play that position a lot but also have watched her get the job done from the pins. Her power and athleticism create positional versatility. Risk ranked fourth on the Hawks in kills through the team's first 21 matches. She also was third in blocks. Risk keeps improving and is one college coaches certainly should be monitoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["827425"],"_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-68cadf73bbb7e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Steinkamp has been the lead setter for the Hawks during the last two seasons. I saw her play in person a few times at the end of the last prep campaign, and scouted her again in person at the Live Like Line Tournament early in 2025. Every time I've seen her compete, consistency stands out. Steinkamp has worked with a collection of talented attackers and has a keen understanding of where they all want the set. She's a big reason why the Hawks are flying high again after losing a lot of firepower to graduation following last season. Steinkamp maximizes her talents with a high volleyball IQ and connection with her teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["732859"],"_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-68cb0406ee021"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I scouted Isaacson several times during this past club season and had a feeling she'd impact the Ankeny varsity this campaign based on what I saw. The sophomore has proven me prophetic with 113 kills through 21 matches, the third most among a talented group of Hawks. Isaacson generates a lot of power on the attack. It's achieved with a combination of high-end athleticism and a fundamentally sound approach. Isaacson gets height on her vertical, hangs well and drives through the ball. She's improving her reading of defenses and finding ways to defeat the block. Isaacson is a 10th-grader with present production and plenty of room to go before reaching her considerable potential. That should be exciting for college coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->