More Iowa 2029s Making Their Mark

<!-- 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/2025/10/weigh-in-wednesday-which-mh-is-iowas-best/">Weigh-In Wednesday: Which MH is Iowa's Best?</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/09/iowa-prep-dig-team-rankings-for-week-5/">Iowa Prep Dig Team Rankings for Week 5</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Having been exposed to Iowa's 2029 Class more than most by virtue of having a daughter in it, I had a good feeling about this group impacting the prep scene early in their careers. They've done that and more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I recently wrote about some of the headliners, which you can read about <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/09/fabulous-freshmen-making-noise-in-2025/">HERE</a> and <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/09/scouting-iowa-freshmen-playing-fantastic/">HERE</a>. Other members have been chronicled throughout the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at six more freshmen off to great starts in their high school careers: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["891576"],"_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-68dfdccb2fc42"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Settles, the daughter of former Iowa Basketball star Jess Settles, has burst on the prep scene. The freshman has slid into the starting setter role for the Dutch and handed out 425 assists through her first 69 sets. She also accumulated 43 skills, 144 digs and 18.0 blocks, showing a complete skill set. I've watched her play at both pins in club ball, and she's capable of doing damage there, as well. Settles is athletic with good reactions and a feel for the game. With time to grow physically and technically, she has a chance to be one of the state's top players in time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["891586"],"_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-68dfe0043992e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">North Tama has faced a challenging schedule in 2025, and Sienknecht has helped the Redhawks hold up well against it. The freshman had piled up 158 kills and 166 digs through 68 sets, illustrating a complete volleyball skill set. At the net, Sienknecht stands out for her versatility. She can end points at either pin. Her attack features a usable vertical leap with a quick, whip-like swing that generates power. Sienknecht sees the court well and finds holes in the defense or when defenders are in compromised positions. She's one to watch during the rest of this season and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["891592"],"_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-68dfe8e5042b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Charlson has enjoyed an outstanding freshman season for a Hinton team packed with plenty of star power. She's embraced her chances at the opposite pin, producing 55 kills, hitting an impressive .341. Charlson also contributed 26.0 blocks, proving she's committed to being a two-way contributor at the net. There's a limited amount of video showing Charlson in action to date, but what can be found shows us a tall, long-arm lefty with explosion off of the court and power in the swing. Charlson looks advanced for her age with potential for a whole lot more production in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["891595"],"_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-68dfeb5559be6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sumner-Fredericksburg has flashed the upside to be a formidable outfit in 2025, and student-athletes like Rettinger stepping up is a big reason why. The freshman had racked up 51 kills (.302) and 25.0 blocks through 56 sets. Her height and long arms work to her advantage in the middle of the net, allowing her to be a two-way presence. Rettinger shows a knack for throwing up the block with timing and technical soundness. Her attack is coming together with a foundation of a strong vertical leap and power in the swing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["891599"],"_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-68dfef453da71"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In a program that regularly competes at a high level, Kirkpatrick has impacted the 2025 squad as a ninth-grader. She shined through the team's first 74 sets with 157 kills (.263), 150 digs and 25.0 blocks. Kirkpatrick has built on a successful club campaign, when I saw her stand out for a strong CIA outfit. She gets excellent elevation on her vertical leap after exploding off of the floor. She times her swing well and generates a lot of velocity with her attack. Kirkpatrick is a good athlete with sharp reflexes, helping her to defend efficiently up front and in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["891609"],"_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-68dff2364d7a2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fink has stepped in as the Rams' second middle hitter behind a senior that's headed to Creighton. The freshman has made sure play there remains steady for her team throughout the match. Playing in the state's largest classification, Fink started 17 of the first 27 matches, producing 35 kills and 18.0 blocks. She's improved as the season has advanced, becoming more comfortable with the level. Fink is just scratching the surface of her potential as a two-way player. She's already finding success thanks to long arms and natural instincts at the position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->