Weigh-In Wednesday: Who’s Iowa’s Top Libero?

<!-- 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>Last week, we introduced our "Weigh-In Wednesday" poll here on Prep Dig. You were asked to <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/09/weigh-in-wednesday-whos-the-top-outside-hitter-in-5a/">vote for the top outside hitter in Class 5A</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today we're wanting you to weigh in on who's the state's top libero. Here's a list of candidates with their 2025 credentials. As always, feel free to add any student-athlete we don't have listed: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261088' first='Mya' last='Lei-Butters'], SR, Centennial - </strong>The senior was credited with 205 digs through the Jaguars' first 20 matches this season. With her well established reputation as a wall in the back row, opponents avoid her when possible. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='389074' first='Hailey' last='Flanders'], SR, Ankeny</strong> - Limited by injury a year ago, Flanders has stepped into the starting libero role and held it down. She posted 255 digs through 25 matches this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='373682' first='Kennedey' last='Whitford'], SR, Solon - </strong>The South Dakota State commitment has 255 digs through the Spartans' first 22 matches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='804194' first='Ireland' last='Jackson'], SR, Bishop Heelan - </strong>Jackson helped the Crusaders win the Class 4A state title a year ago and has returned with 214 digs in 22 matches so far in '25. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809383' first='Grace' last='Knock'], SR, Prairie - </strong>A returning starter, Knock has led an inexperienced Prairie Hawk team to a solid start with 200 digs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Addy Schoepske, SR, Waterloo West - </strong>With 190 digs through 20 matches of 2025, Schoepske is building a strong legacy among Wahawks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elah Hiemstra, SR, Pella -</strong> Hiemstra helped the Dutch to the state championship match last season and followed up that run with 183 digs in her team's 28 matches this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='800437' first='Kaylie' last='Simons'], SR, Kuemper Catholic - </strong>The Knight senior was leading the state in digs with 391 heading into Wednesday's action. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='316419' first='Edie' last='Miller'], JR, Liberty - </strong>Already committed to Dayton, Miller has the Lightning thinking state tournament bid with her 199 digs in 19 matches in '25. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='555820' first='London' last='Taylor'], JR, Northwest - </strong>Taylor returns in 2025 after helping the Wolves reach the 5A state title match last season. She has 169 digs through the first 20 matches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='403543' first='Addie' last='Bollier'], JR, Regina Catholic - </strong>A Samford commitment, Bollier has 357 digs through 21 matches in '25 after helping the Regals to last year's state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='488579' first='Mavrik' last='Schweer'], JR, Mount Vernon - </strong>During a rebuild at Mount Vernon, Schweer has been a steadying force in the back row with 211 digs in the Mustangs' first 21 matches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569671' first='Logan' last='Ramstack'], JR, Bettendorf - </strong>A multi-year starter, Ramstack's reliability in the back row has led to 207 digs in 21 matches this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='741262' first='Breslyn' last='Kooima'], JR, Western Christian - </strong>The Wolfpack is the team to beat in 3A, and Kooima is a key reason why. She had 180 digs in 18 matches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Paige Johnson, JR, Marion - </strong>A fixture for the Wolves the last few seasons, Johnson has helped them absorb graduation losses with 172 digs in 20 matches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='809159' first='Reese' last='Heim'], JR, Norwalk -</strong> A stalwart for the state's top 15U club team this past season, Heim has carried it over into school ball with 182 digs in 23 matches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='498752' first='Allie' last='Ruddy'], SO, Waukee - </strong>The second-year starter had 278 digs through 22 matches for one of the state's top teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='808755' first='Jeorgia' last='Evans'], SO, Mid-Prairie - </strong>Operating for one of the top squads in 3A, Evans produced 234 digs through 18 matches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='803061' first='Myla' last='Rude'], SO, Valley - </strong>Steady as a freshman last season, Rude has returned with 221 digs in the first 25 matches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ruby Varney, SO, Dike-New Hartford - </strong>A starter her freshman year, Varney has solidified herself as a back-row factor with 213 digs in 25 matches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='729146' first='Anna' last='Jackson'], SO, Dallas Center-Grimes - </strong>The Mustangs have taken a step forward this season in conjunction with sound play from Jackson, who had 210 digs in 20 matches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='742600' first='Piper' last='Hodge'], SO, Assumption - </strong>Hodge has stepped into the Knights' starting lineup this season and solidified the back row with 186 digs in 19 matches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='540833' first='Izzie' last='McDonald'], SO, Iowa City West - </strong>The Trojans are much-improved this season with McDonald holding strong as a first-year starter with 182 digs in 18 matches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='572668' first='Jacey' last='Young'], SO, Lewis Central - </strong>A starter as a freshman in 2025, Young has continued taking care of business in the Titan back row with 168 digs in 15 matches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://poll.fm/16067562","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"crowdsignal","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-crowdsignal wp-block-embed-crowdsignal"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://poll.fm/16067562 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->