15 Emerging Names From Day 1 of Iowa State Tournament

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state's brightest lights are in on Coralville with the state tournament in town.&nbsp; We're taking a close look at some of the new names who stepped up with their talent, their energy, or overall play making an impact in the Class 4A and 5A Quarterfinals.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='845755' first='Kennedy' last='Klein'] of West Des Moines Dowling moves around the court effortlessly. A six rotation outside hitter, she is able to transition off the net to pass to attack with ease. She knows how to score points with poise and control. She would finish with 11 kills on the night for Dowling in a loss, but there is plenty of firepower returning for the Maroons.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":901006,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/RG1A7072.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-901006"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='730419' first='Hailey' last='Wiederin'] of Ankeny was cashing in big time for the Hawks.&nbsp; This sophomore class for Ankeny made a statement today. Wiederin was terminal from the outside out of serve receive and was a scoring machine from the right side. She does this with efficiency, she knows where the open spots are and can really exploit a defense.&nbsp; She would finish with 18 kills in a five set win.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":900996,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/RG1A6984-crop-3188x2093-1762227333.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-900996"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='732859' first='Elle' last='Isaacson'] </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='732859' first='Elle' last='Isaacson'] of Ankeny is going to put a hurt on the ball. Only a sophomore, Isaacson was really smart with the block. She knows how to use her angles while also attacking high hands. She plays with a fire.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='490016' first='Raquel' last='Risk'], what an x-factor. There is an intensity about Risk that elevates the rest of her team. She is relentless in the middle with her block to transition to hyping up her teammates. She was so key in set five for the Hawks where they sealed the deal for a semifinal match against Waukee NW on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quinn Rousch is an undersized middle with a ton of fire for Ankeny.&nbsp; She had her name called on the final point converting one of her two kills - the biggest of the match. Being a 5A middle blocker at 5'8 is a tall task, but the intensity she brings is so impressive. You want this athlete on your side of the net.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='754002' first='Braelin' last='Wieseler'] of Marion reminds me of a&nbsp; left handed pitcher in baseball or softball. So crafty.&nbsp; The lefty right side found ways to score points using a variety of angles and mixing up speed providing an efficient scoring option for the Wolves, she finished with eight kills on the night.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":900998,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/RG1A7264-crop-3188x2093-1762227433.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-900998"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='759977' first='Abbey' last='Kirk'] is only a freshman who makes an impact everywhere on the court. A six rotation outside hitter, Kirk isn't afraid to take a big swing. She is creative with how she can utilize her shots and is a solid defender in the backrow. She was able to read the defense and have a huge defensive game as well.&nbsp; She would finish with 14 kills and 17 digs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":900999,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/RG1A7250.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-900999"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Courteney Schmidt of Sioux Center - what an athlete. Schmidt just bounces off the floor, so explosive. The six rotation outside hitter knows how to sky high and let it rip, but also finds a way to score points with her IQ. The Warriors found Schmidt when they needed points at the right time.  She would finish 21 kills and 15 digs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='816843' first='Maryn' last='Franken'] out of Sioux Center plays out of the middle, but does a little bit of everything for her team as a six rotation&nbsp; middle blocker.&nbsp; No libero needed for this one.&nbsp; She has the length and athleticism to terminate and is a block that the other side of the net has to always be aware of. That length travels to the backrow where she covers quite the territory.&nbsp; She had quite the stat line in their quarterfinal win over Marion tallying 17 kills and 19 digs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":901001,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/RG1A7271.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-901001"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='730390' first='Ava' last='Smid'] was bringing the heat in the Class 4A quarterfinals for Dallas Center-Grimes.&nbsp; The sophomore last length, athleticism, and physicality from the pin where she was going hard cross and high off the hands.&nbsp; She would finish with a double-double tallying 12 kills and 13 digs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='729146' first='Anna' last='Jackson'] plays with a certain maturity for Dallas Center-Grimes.&nbsp; This sophomore class is loaded for DCG where Jackson commands the backrow.&nbsp; She tallied 31 digs on the night against North Scott.&nbsp; Her platform is quiet and controlled.&nbsp; In serve receive she commands it all, She can handle a high volume and isn't afraid to take control.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='886198' first='Alyssa' last='Schroeder'] of North Scott played her role to perfection.&nbsp; The junior middle blocker had seven kills on 19 swings and zero errors.&nbsp; She also chipped in a solo block.&nbsp; The [program_tooltip program_id='431978' first='Lancers' last=''] bring a lot of firepower from outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='800048' first='Kenzie' last='Moeller'], but with the contributions from Schroeder she keeps the other side off balanced with a highly efficient game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":901002,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/RG1A7284.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-901002"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='781380' first='Madison' last='Messerly'] of Dallas Center-Grimes is a dangerous player for opponents.&nbsp; She is a six rotation right side hitter where she can score points in the front and backrow.&nbsp; Having an athlete like Messerly allows the offense to stay spread which creates one on one opportunities for attackers.&nbsp; DCG might have lost tonight, but the future for this program is extremely bright.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":901003,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/RG1A7160.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-901003"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leiana Eldridge is only a freshman and is making a big impact for Sergeant Bluff-Luton.&nbsp; She had 11 kills against top ranked Clear Creek-Amana showing no fear in her state tournament debut.&nbsp; Her ability to hit multiple shots going cross and line along with high hands allowed her to show plenty of range, scoring points all over the court.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='389942' first='Katie' last='Scheckel'] creates plenty of headlines for Pella, the senior has done it all.&nbsp; And lucky for Pella they have found her “Mini-Me” in freshman [player_tooltip player_id='891576' first='Julia' last='Settles']. Settles will set in the backrow while Scheckel swings in the front row and the two switch when Scheckel goes to the backrow and Settles in the front row.&nbsp; She would finish with 31 assists and seven digs.&nbsp; Pella made quite a statement against a very talented Norwalk squad and have a spot back in the 4A semifinals.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":901004,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/11/RG1A7382.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-901004"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='809159' first='Reese' last='Heim'] #19</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='809159' first='Reese' last='Heim'] of Norwalk has quite the presence.&nbsp; The junior libero was so impressive with how she put up a great first contact in serve receive and defensively.&nbsp; She connects well with her teammates with constant communicating and positive body language.&nbsp; She finished the match with 18 digs and a definite hunger to lead this Norwalk squad back to the state tournament in 2026.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->