2026 Club Team Preview: PowerPlex 16-1 Nelson

<!-- 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/2025/12/2026-club-team-preview-powerplex-17-mendoza/">2026 Club Team Preview: PowerPlex 17 Mendoza</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're rolling along with our 2026 Club Team Preview series here on Prep Dig Iowa. The goal is highlighting as many teams as possible before we get the season underway next month. Then we'll shift to scouting reports and reports from real matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The preseason process works best when directors get us rosters or direct us to where they're posted on line. Requests for those are out. If you did not receive one (sometimes our contact information is old), you can send them to RobHoweHN@gmail.com. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As luck would have it, I took in scrimmages hosted by the Rockets program Sunday in Iowa City. It allowed me to check out a few of the state's top teams in their respective age groups, including PowerPlex 16-1 Nelson, which faced three of the host's squads at the gathering.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PowerPlex 16-1 Nelson returns a lot of the talent from a team I watched compete at the Northern Lights and Iowa Regional qualifiers last season as 15 year olds. That outfit was among the top teams in that age group and should be very formidable again in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Punch at the pin won't be a problem for PowerPlex 16s. [player_tooltip player_id='732859' first='Elle' last='Isaacson'] is Prep Dig Iowa's 13th-ranked overall player in the state's '28 Class after helping Ankeny get to the 5A state semifinals last month. The sophomore posted 203 kills (.200), the third most among Hawks. She added 29.0 blocks and 55 digs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='763850' first='Gianna' last='Stanfel'] make it tough on opposing defenses with her prowess at the opposite pin. The Dowling Catholic 10th-grader played a key role in helping the young Maroons reach the state tournament in 2025, cranking 107 kills in a balanced attack. A two-way performer, Stanfel came up with 34.0 blocks, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PowerPlex also is strong in the middle of the net with ADM's Elle Subbert, the No. 21-ranked prospect, [player_tooltip player_id='546566' first='Tabitha' last='Molden'] (31) and [player_tooltip player_id='754649' first='Peyton' last='Dirks'] (34). Subbert posted 146 kills (.243) and 58.0 blocks in starting all 32 matches as a sophomore. Molden produced 150 kills, 39.0 blocks and 91 digs this season for Johnston, while Dirks registered 71 kills and 66.0 blocks at North Polk.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The setting is in good hands for PowerPlex with the duo of [player_tooltip player_id='763901' first='Berkley' last='Weiland'], the No. 20 overall player in the class and fourth-ranked setter, and [player_tooltip player_id='730468' first='Lyla' last='Nelson'] (33/5). Weiland broke out as a sophomore for Southeast Polk this season, when she piled up 242 assists and 174 digs. She kicked in 44 kills and 10.0 blocks. Nelson developed on the junior varsity for a loaded Waukee Northwest program that dominated 5A in winning its second state championship in three seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weiland's ability to end points on the ride side works well in tandem with Nelson. [player_tooltip player_id='730423' first='Harper' last='Rus'] also provides power at the opposite pin and the versatility to be effective in the outside, too. Like Nelson, she was developing on the Waukee Northwest junior varsity in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If that weren't enough up front, Ankeny's [player_tooltip player_id='730392' first='Aylin' last='Adamson'] brings more firepower to the cause. The sophomore developed on the junior varsity in a Hawk program that reached the Class 5A state semifinals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The back row for this team is especially strong. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dallas Center-Grimes got back to the state tournament with [player_tooltip player_id='729146' first='Anna' last='Jackson'] coming up with 445 digs while wearing the libero jersey. Her 44 assists spoke to her work with the two ball in setting up teammates. [player_tooltip player_id='775051' first='Ingrid' last='Secory'] got her feet wet on the varsity for a veteran Waukee squad this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->