Freshmen Who Flourished at State Tournament

<!-- 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/2025/11/prep-dig-iowa-elite-all-state-tournament-team/">Prep Dig Iowa Elite All-State Tournament Team</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best parts of the state tournament every year is seeing which freshmen have stepped up during their first prep seasons. The stars of the future already shining today. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A strong group appeared in the 2025 tournament last week. They impacted the action through all of the classes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at some of the ninth-graders that stood out: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='754657' first='Cyan' last='Blommer'], Six-Rotation OH, Iowa City West - </strong>Arguably the top freshman in the state, Blommer delivered 11 kills (.212) and 17 digs during the Trojans' first-round loss to eventual state runner-up Ankeny Centennial. She's a Power 4 prospect with plenty of room to grow before reaching her potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='769009' first='Ellie' last='Friessen'], MH, Hinton - </strong>The rookie from Northwest Iowa showed the rest of the state she belonged during the Blackhawks' run to the title match. She earned all-tournament laurels after collecting 17 kills, 24 digs, two solo blocks and 10 blocking assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='891576' first='Julia' last='Settles'], S, Pella - </strong>The ninth-grader settled nicely into the Dutch's 6-2 system this season, and it continued into the state tournament. She helped Pella to the semifinals with 53 assists, 11 digs, 10 kills and three assisted blocks in seven sets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='902417' first='Julia' last='McGraw'], S/OH, Indianola - </strong>McGraw enjoyed an excellent freshman season capped off by a strong performance against eventual state champion Waukee Northwest. She looked calm and collected in coming up with 11 assists, eight digs, two kills and an ace serve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='759977' first='Abbey' last='Kirk'], Six-Rotation OH, Marion - </strong>Few freshmen around the state impacted their teams more than Kirk did at Marion. In a first-round loss to eventual state runner-up Sioux Center, she filled the stat sheet with 14 kills, 17 digs, two assisted blocks and a pair of service aces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='887022' first='Quinn' last='Sweeney'], MH, Janesville - </strong>Sweeney was one of the most productive ninth-graders in Iowa, and it continued during the Wildcats' run to the 1A title match. In 11 sets played, she contributed 35 kills, three digs, five solo blocks and six blocking assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='891599' first='Charlee' last='Kirkpatrick'], Six-Rotation OH, Grundy Center - </strong>The Spartans' march to the 2A state semifinals included a reverse sweep against Beckman Catholic in the opening round. Kirkpatrick continued a stellar freshman campaign with 18 kills, 31 digs and three blocking assists in nine sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='902980' first='Adalyn' last='Ortegren'], OH, Hinton - </strong>A second student-athlete on this list means Hinton has a bright future. For her part, Ortegren produced 34 kills and 38 digs during 13 sets. She's an explosive athlete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='891592' first='Macie' last='Charlson'], RS, Hinton - </strong>Wait, a third Blackhawk on this list? Yeah, watch out for Hinton in the coming years. Charlson registered 19 kills, eight blocking assists and four digs during 13 sets from her post at the opposite pin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='610472' first='Josie' last='Austen'], RS, Iowa City West - </strong>Austen was overshadowed by her older sister and another outstanding freshman on her team, but she was solid all season. In a first-round loss at state, she contributed two kills and came up with 11 digs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='776054' first='Espyn' last='Decker'], DS/L, Wapsie Valley - </strong>During a first-round setback to eventual champion Denver, Decker rose the the occasion with 12 digs, two kills and an assist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='847970' first='Elise' last='Foster'], DS/L, Mid-Prairie - </strong>Foster stepped in at libero this season for a team that reached state for a second year in a row. During a first-round loss to eventual champion Assumption, she came up with 11 digs in three sets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='891586' first='Alaney' last='Sienknecht'], Six-Rotation OH, North Tama - </strong>The Redhawks reached the 1A semifinals with Sienknecht delivering significant contributions. The ninth-grade produced 20 kills and 14 digs in six sets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->