The Wild West of Iowa – Who’s Making an Impact?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're going to zoom in on Western Iowa, where we have some teams rising up the polls.&nbsp; With regional brackets being released in the next couple of weeks, we'll see how Sioux County gets split.&nbsp; Where do the top Western Iowa 3A teams get split?&nbsp; Who are the players we need to know?&nbsp; We have some familiar names as well as some new ones to get to know. Take a look at who is making an impact in Western Iowa.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["753919"],"_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-68dd5ddd6667b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior Elsa Teifenthaler has been quite the catalyst for the 25-2 Knights as they are generating plenty of momentum heading into October.  With 600 assists on the year, her top two targets are sophomores Kolbi Peter and Mariah Heuton.  This squad will be looking to get back to the state tournament and beyond where they finished their 2024 season in the state quarterfinals.  First, they will look to battle at the top of the Hawkeye Ten where they are currently 7-1 with Lewis Central and Red Oak both sitting at 6-0. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["493975"],"_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-68dd5ddd666f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='493975' first='Stella' last='Largent'] is back for ACGC where she has been a mainstay for the Chargers where she has eclipsed the 1,000 kill mark as only a junior.  She is currently averaging over five kills and over two digs per set.  With an overall record of 13-4, they will be looking for a favorable seed come regional play.  Alongside Largent, senior [player_tooltip player_id='830785' first='Camdyn' last='Richter'] has 126 kills on the season and over 100 digs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["753891"],"_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-68dd5ddd6675a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Red Oak is blazing quite the trail this season where they are 21-2 and undefeated in the Hawkeye Ten.  They have earned a top five ranking in Class 3A where their only losses have come to ranked in 4A Sioux Center and Pella.  [player_tooltip player_id='753891' first='Jocelyn' last='O'Neal'] has been averaging nearly four kills per set and hitting .365, talk about a dynamite senior season.  Another senior stepping up in a big way is [player_tooltip player_id='814847' first='Karly' last='Jenkins'].  She is averaging over two kills per set and hitting .385.  The Tigers still have some big tests coming up this season where they will take on Lewis Central in Conference play as well as tournaments at Tri Center and Winterset. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["781456"],"_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-68dd5ddd667be"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We can't talk about Western Iowa without talking about Western Christian.  The Wolfpack have only lost to one Iowa team in Sioux County rival Sioux Center. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='781456' first='Morgan' last='Kooiman'] is a Class of 2028 prospect to have on the radar.  Her athleticism and physicality at the net sets her apart and is showing this season. She is averaging nearly four kills per set and is hitting a mind blowing .405.  They will have quite a test this weekend when they head to Urbandale to take on some top 4A and 5A teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["575152"],"_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-68dd5ddd66820"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This duo from Sioux Center have been deadly all season for the Warriors who are 20-1 that includes a win over the top ranked team in Class 3A, Western Christian.  They have some big matches coming up where they will look to avenge their only loss of the season to MOC-Floyd Valley.  [player_tooltip player_id='575152' first='Courteney' last='Schmidt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='816843' first='Maryn' last='Franken'] combine for nearly six kills per set and have nearly 250 digs together.  Their stats mirror each other.  The biggest strength of this team is their balance, ball control, physicality, and athleticism.  They will be ones to watch as they generate momentum towards the postseason with pairings to be released in the next week or two. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["493982"],"_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-68dd5ddd66880"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='493982' first='Deidra' last='Doeden'] was just a freshman when she made her state tournament debut.  Now she is an upperclassmen leading the way for Cherokee who is quite the presence for her squad who is 18-2, ranked third in Class 3A.  She is averaging three kills per set and hitting an astounding .430.  The middle blocker will make the opposing side think twice about their shot.  She also has nearly 60 blocks on the season. She will be one to watch for the next level with how she can change the game.  The road to Xtream Arena will be an interesting one to watch in Western Iowa with the likes of Cherokee, Red Oak, Humboldt, Kuemper, and Western Christian. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["389079"],"_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-68dd5ddd668dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This feels great to write about [player_tooltip player_id='389079' first='Bailey' last='Boeve'] again!  The senior commit to Creighton was unable to finish her junior season due to a knee injury and is now back on the court and making a huge impact for Hinton.  She is averaging over four kills per set and hitting .430.  Her impact is felt everywhere where she also averages over two digs per set and over 40 blocks.  Hinton will be looking to get back to the state this season after getting knocked out in regional play in 2024.  They have some freshmen and sophomores making key contributions in Macie Charlson, [player_tooltip player_id='772136' first='Ellie' last='Friessen'], Addison Dunkel, Adalyn Otegran, and Brynlee Boeve. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->