Breakout 2028s Emerge at Iowa Exposure Tour

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're all about the sophomores in this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next year is a big one for the Class of 2028. Most of these sophomores will embark on the 16s club season before starting their collegiate recruiting journey in the summer. Iowa 2028s are looking for a way to get an edge in their ever-competitive region, and last weekend's Exposure Tour helped get that ball rolling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, before the chaos of club season, Sunday's event offered an up-close look at some of the Iowa Region's most determined and motivated athletes from the Class of 2028. That gave us plenty of stock-risers to watch, so let's start the discussion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["546566"],"_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-693a06a470c91"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This year's winter showcase had a rare combination of quantity and quality at the middle blocker position. We've already highlighted plenty of dominant middles from our Exposure Tour, but the discussion isn't complete without Molden. The Johnston sophomore piled up over 150 kills for the Dragons this year and was a valuable anchor to the team's formidable block. Molden's one-on-one roofs turned heads during Sunday's scrimmages, injecting some instant energy into her team's huddle. She'll keep training in the Horizon Events Center ahead of another big season with Iowa PowerPlex.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["754649"],"_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-693a06a470ce8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Let's complete the Iowa PowerPlex 16U Nelson middle duo. Dirks provides many of the same assets as Modlen, so 16U Nelson should be stacked around the starting rotation. We watched Dirks dish out a ton of heat in front of the setter during positional drills. Moreover, her tremendous technique and reading skills produced an impressive block total for North Polk High School in 2025. Momentum is escalating for the new calendar year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["769693"],"_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-693a06a470d30"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's about time we brought a few more terminal opposites into the equation. Zmolek did plenty to demonstrate her scoring ability when she represented South Tama County in 2025. She soared up the efficiency charts with a 0.349 hitting clip and had the second-best kill total on her veteran-laden squad. Zmolek's efforts were just as notable on the Prep Dig Circuit, as she elevated over opposing blockers at Sunday's scrimmages. [program_tooltip program_id='429065' first='Club' last='Iowa Juniors'] has a surefire leader to build around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["758514"],"_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-693a06a470d74"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Why not stick with South Tama County? While Zmolek was locking down the front row for the Trojans, Arp was thriving in her multi-faceted role as a defensive specialist. She provided immediate sparks off the bench and was the catalyst for several key scoring runs throughout the 2025 campaign. Arp also brings some experience as a pin hitter, so she's a natural fit to play Zone 6 defense. No matter her positional designation, this standout 2028 is poised to make gains in the Iowa Juniors stable this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["784888"],"_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-693a06a470db7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Couty distinguished herself as one of the strongest pass-to-attack outside hitters at our Iowa Exposure Tour. She tallied the second-highest swing total with Cedar Ridge Christian this fall, demonstrating this sophomore's willingness to carry a heavy burden around the dial. Couty uses her refined footwork to transition off the net and make herself available in scramble situations. It's exactly what you'd want from a go-to attacker, and Couty should have a similar impact in the Iowa PowerPlex gym this spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["730392"],"_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-693a06a470dfa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There's something special about Iowa Region outside hitters who can do a little bit of everything. Adamson has spent much of her prep career on the left pin, churning out clutch kills in the frontcourt and forming a solid block at the net. However, Adamson also wields an exceptional platform as a primary passer and logged valuable defensive reps at last weekend's showcase. Iowa PowerPlex 16U Nelson will have no shortage of lineup options with Adamson in the mix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["498752"],"_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-693a06a470e3c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We can always count on [program_tooltip program_id='555793' first='RVA' last='Roots'] providing some defensive talent for our Iowa showcases. Ruddy kept the tradition alive with her brand of backcourt effort that uplifted everyone around her. Aside from all the eye-popping digs she made in six-on-six scrimmages, Ruddy also provided pinpoint passing to help her teammates run a smooth offense. Her six-dig-per-set campaign with Waukee High School this fall was just the beginning of Ruddy's ascent among Iowa's 2028s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->