Closer Look at Prep Dig Iowa ’28 Rankings Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 50% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;<strong>BlackFriday2025</strong>&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In case you missed it, Prep Dig Iowa released its initial <a href="https://prepdig.com/iowa/rankings/2028-watch-list-2/">rankings for the Class of 2028</a> earlier this week. It was labeled as an "update" because Prep Network counts a "watch list" as a "ranking." Technically, the "watch list" is a listing of student-athletes recognized as the best in a class, but this week's release was the first time these players have been "ranked" numerically. That's significant.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As such, we should dive into these rankings are little farther. And by we, I mean me. It's just one person's opinion. I provide input in these rankings, but it's a collective effort with multiple scouts lending insight into what they saw. The more eyes, the better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When I put together rankings, I view them in tiers. It adds context to the numbers next to the names. Tiering the rundown groups like-talented prospects together. Sometimes, the difference between No. 1 and No. 10 is sizable. Other times, it's slight. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I admit to struggling for a clear-cut No. 1 in this initial '28 class ranking. One of the top players was hurt this season. There are different levels of competition and positional variance. The data sample remains relatively small. The picture will become clearer during their upcoming 16U club season, junior prep season and 17U campaign, all of which will track growth and development. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall, this is a strong class. I determine that by identifying top-end talent and the depth of talent in the group. I think it has both. That can be illustrated when breaking the lineup into tiers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TIER I</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='560368' first='Elle' last='Hatlevig'], OH, Norwalk/Premier</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='573313' first='Deviryn' last='McCarty'], L/OH, MOC-Floyd Valley/Kairos </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='545971' first='Avery' last='Cordes'], RS/MH/OH, Waukee Northwest/Premier</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's an intriguing Top 3 with a broad range of abilities and potential through the roof. Hatlevig is tracking to be the next in-state outside to attracting Power 4 opportunities. McCarty, who missed this prep season with injury, is a unique athlete that impacts matches in multiple ways. Cordes can control the competition as a two-way player from all three front row positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TIER II</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='545946' first='Addison' last='Waldorf'], S, Humbolt/Premier</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='781456' first='Morgan' last='Kooiman'], OH, Western Christian/Salty</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='516002' first='Julia' last='Schlarbaum'], OH, Clear Creek Amana/United</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='730419' first='Hailey' last='Wiederin'], OH/RS, Ankeny/Premier</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This tier is not far off from the top one with each player capable of moving up into it. Kooiman and Wiederin have high ceilings, while Waldorf and Schlarbaum are rock steady with plenty of room for further development themselves. The collection of prospects here begins providing evidence of the depth of talent in the class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TIER III</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='845755' first='Kennedy' last='Klein'], OH, Dowling Catholic/[program_tooltip program_id='555793' first='RVA' last='Roots']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='702737' first='Alena' last='Schaack'], MH/OH, Woodward-Granger/Premier</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='742600' first='Piper' last='Hodge'], L, Assumption/Select</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='694203' first='Belle' last='Cotton'], OH, Assumption/Select</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='730426' first='Hazel' last='Schluckebier'], S, Iowa City High/Rockets</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='732859' first='Elle' last='Isaacson'], OH, Ankeny/Plex</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third tier is comprised of players representing all of the positions on the court. It speaks to the strength of this class in terms of balance. Klein and Cotton are impactful attackers on the outside with well-rounded volleyball skills. Schaack can take over matches in the middle of the net, and Isaacson is packed with potential at the pin. Hodge is one of the state's most improved prospects with more room to grow, and Schluckebier's upside also is significant. Members of this tier aren't far off from the one above them and upward mobility is quite possible.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TIER IV</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='701976' first='Adelyn' last='Stien'], S/RS, Center Point-Urbana/United</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='540833' first='Izzie' last='McDonald'], L, Iowa City West/United</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='533845' first='Taylor' last='Otte'], MH, Iowa City West/United </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='730098' first='Caroline' last='Crane'], MH/RS, Dowling Catholic/[program_tooltip program_id='555793' first='RVA' last='Roots']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='729146' first='Anna' last='Jackson'], L, Dallas Center-Grimes/Plex</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='763850' first='Gianna' last='Stanfel'], RS/OH, Dowling Catholic/Plex</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='763901' first='Berkley' last='Weiland'], S/RS, Southeast Polk/Plex</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seven players make up this tier, again illustrating the overall strength of this recruiting cycle. Stien and Weiland are versatile setters with long arms, athletic ability and skills to contribute in areas beyond assisting teammates on the attack. McDonald and Jackson are ascending back-row performers, while Crane and Stanfel are versatile two-way players up front. Otte made great strides in the last year and has room left to grow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TIER V</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='825087' first='Ella' last='Subbert'], MH/RS, ADM/Plex</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='498752' first='Allie' last='Ruddy'], L, Waukee/[program_tooltip program_id='555793' first='RVA' last='Roots']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='746258' first='Adelynn' last='Goodell'], MH, Humboldt/Six Pack</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='730449' first='Kylee' last='Suhr'], MH, Williamsburg/Rockets </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='766068' first='Madison' last='Messerly'], OH, Dallas Center-Grimes/Premier</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This five-player tier takes up through the Top 25 in the class. It includes three high-upside middle hitters in Subbert, Goodell and Suhr. It would not be surprising to see any or all of them move up these rankings. Ruddy is solidifying herself as one of the better back-row performers in '28, and Messerly brings high-end athleticism and explosiveness to the pin. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rest of the rankings are filled with interesting volleyballers entering an important stretch of development time. College coaches will begin focusing more closely on this group leading up to the NCAA rules allowing them to contact recruits in the cycle directly starting in June.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Remember, these rankings are only a jumping off point for the Class of 2028. Development is not linear. You can bet to see movement, perhaps significant, in future updates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->