Players and Storylines We’re Following at Iowa Exposure Tour

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next stop: Des Moines!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our new Prep Dig Exposure Tour series is in full swing. We've been hosting winter showcases nationwide as a way to bridge the gap between the high school and club seasons. I'm fresh off a visit to last weekend's Nebraska Exposure Tour event, giving me a glimpse at future stars in my home territory. Now, it's time to branch out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Sunday's Iowa Exposure Tour outing will not be my first foray into the Hawkeye State. The Des Moines area has always brought out tremendous talent for our showcases, and Sunday morning's gathering will be no different. We've had a sneak peek at the entry list, where certain trends and storylines have emerged. So, it's only fair that we dish out a quick primer before the volleyballs start flying.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":547898,"width":"358px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.5014779551323936","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/74-Ryan-Connolly.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-547898" style="aspect-ratio:1.5014779551323936;width:358px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Connolly</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We can't wait to watch it all unfold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Club Cohesion</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Many of the Iowa Region's most prominent club powerhouses will be represented at the Exposure Tour. Which ones rise to the top?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa PowerPlex immediately comes to mind, especially with Sunday's event taking place in PowerPlex's home gym. We see several familiar names from this club on the entry list, including [player_tooltip player_id='730423' first='Harper' last='Rus'], [player_tooltip player_id='729146' first='Anna' last='Jackson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='536274' first='Ryan' last='Connolly']. These persistent showcase standouts are back on the Prep Dig Circuit to demonstrate their development over the past several months. Be ready to update those scouting reports.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, the club footprint goes far beyond PowerPlex. We're also impressed by the volume of [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] entrants on our list. Pin-hitting prowess will come from Rockets stars like [player_tooltip player_id='490004' first='Girona' last='Fengler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='760844' first='Maryn' last='Sherman']. The middle blocker spot is also a focal point of [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] success, so we're excited to see how [player_tooltip player_id='730449' first='Kylee' last='Suhr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='760983' first='Finley' last='Batchelder'] perform.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What about Iowa Select? This club brings athletes from across the age spectrum. Wilton High School setter [player_tooltip player_id='490009' first='Leah' last='Caffery'] should be a standout among the 2027s. [player_tooltip player_id='783286' first='Taylor' last='Evans'] brings physicality at the net from the Class of 2028, and [player_tooltip player_id='829942' first='Ava' last='Carlson'] carries the banner for the 2029s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perhaps the most fascinating group of all will be Iowa Impact. We'll have a lot of Impact duos, trios, and quartets joining us for Sunday's event. The serve-receive cohesion of [player_tooltip player_id='728886' first='Lilly' last='Huntrods'] and [player_tooltip player_id='789386' first='Hanna' last='Fouch'] will be a fun storyline. Look out for the 2029s with [player_tooltip player_id='913696' first='Layton' last='Freeman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='856337' first='Bri' last='Johnson'] leading the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":751228,"width":"362px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.4242721245315653","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/02/137A2217-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-751228" style="aspect-ratio:1.4242721245315653;width:362px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Suhr</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Defensive Dominance?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Showcases tend to bring out the best in one particular age group. Does the entry list suggest a defensive masterclass this weekend?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Simply put, we have a lot of liberos to watch at the Horizon Events Center. We could build on our previous point by noting that several club teams are bringing more than one of their defensive specialists to the Exposure Tour.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa's emerging, under-the-radar clubs have thrived through backcourt talent. SWI Third Degree will be represented by defensive gems like [player_tooltip player_id='796894' first='Mariel' last='Ramirez'] from the Class of 2027. [program_tooltip program_id='555793' first='RVA' last='Roots'] gets into the conversation with [player_tooltip player_id='498752' first='Allie' last='Ruddy'] joining the end line platoon. We're also looking for Ireland Kennedy to show out on behalf of [program_tooltip program_id='428961' first='NWI' last='Premier'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will also be a valuable opportunity to scope out future libero trendsetters in the 15s age group. [player_tooltip player_id='880642' first='Sidney' last='Bryan'], [player_tooltip player_id='780596' first='Audrey' last='Howe'], and [player_tooltip player_id='893645' first='Mallory' last='Ickowitz'] are just some of the names to know among the 2029s entrants in this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Outside Influence</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even with Des Moines sitting right in the heart of the Hawkeye State, Sunday's showcase will bring some out-of-state visitors into the spotlight--even some from my Nebraska stomping grounds!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sienna Borer will cross the Missouri River from Boone Central/Newman Grove to join the Iowa crowd. She's preparing for a high-profile club season with AVC Nebraska and brings a ton of ball-control skills to the fray.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The small-town Nebraska influence expands with Julia Flaming making the Des Moines trek. Flaming's Paxton squad enjoyed a winning season this fall and has been gaining steam on the rural circuit. This positive momentum should carry into our showcase, even if it's in unfamiliar territory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bartley Southwest freshmen-to-be Lily McAfee and Olivia Thies join a select group of 2030s in Sunday's event. The future is here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Also, let's give a shoutout to Minnesota's Keira Stier. The Mizuno Northern Lights outside hitter should be a multi-dimensional threat in six-on-six scrimmages, whether it's along the net or in the backcourt. We'd expect nothing less from a Northern Lights visitor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->