Early-Season Club Report: New Names to Know in Iowa

<!-- 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>It's still way early in the season, but I've managed to check out a couple of events in person. The M1 Rochester (MN) Elite Scrimmages and JVC Winter Classic in Milwaukee featured impressive performances from Iowa programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a collection of new(er) names to know: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["936330"],"_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-697294f1db48a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/01/recapping-iowa-clubs-at-ua-jvc-winter-classic/">wrote about</a> stumbling upon Walker and her teammates at the JVC Winter Classic during MLK weekend. She stood out among a strong collection of talented volleyball players. Walker is tall for her age. On top of that, long arms make her even more imposing as a two-way performer at the net. She's a good athlete with agility, moving well laterally and exploding off of the court. Walker flashes an impressive vertical leap and a heavy swing. Her block is very effective and her court sense keen. I'm just getting around to see 14 clubs for 2026, but it's hard to imagine there are many more impressive players than what I saw from Walker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["780202"],"_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-697296a58d55c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Like her teammate, [player_tooltip player_id='936330' first='Mia' last='Walker'], Pfab is a player advanced well beyond her years. That's from a physical standpoint but also in terms of volleyball skills. I scouted their DBQ Insanity 14-1 national team at the JVC Winter Classic in Milwaukee on MLK weekend. Pfab was a revelation as a long-armed lefty with a hammer for a swing. The right-side hitter proved she could go line and also hit bombs across the court. Long arms, leaping ability and timing make Pfab an intimidating presence as a blocker. There's a high volleyball IQ here as well as a high ceiling. Buy stock. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["936357"],"_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-6972986d82103"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Young defensive specialists exhibiting consistency and court sense against strong competition usually get my attention. That was what I saw when watching Burkle compete during the JVC Winter Classic in Milwaukee during MLK weekend. She commanded the back row, displaying an advanced feel for the position and limiting mistakes. Burkle reads the ball well and moves quick laterally. She's technically sound, which leads to accurate passing and a chance for DBQ Insanity 14-1 National to take advantage of its powerful attack. Burkle also can feed that with efficiency off of the two ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["789484"],"_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-69729a0a66630"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ohda is a kid just scratching the surface of what she can become. The ability is there for a high-end outcome with further development and the sharpening of skills. She's tracking to reach that sizable ceiling. At present, Ohda is a force at the pin. She gets there with explosion off of the court, extraordinary leaping ability and power generated from her right arm. Ohda mixes up her attack well, going line when it's there, finding openings to put it down elsewhere or hitting off of the block. Throwing up the block, her athleticism and long arms make her an effective defender at the net. Ohda is gaining more consistency in the back row and flashes the potential to be impactful through six rotations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["917911"],"_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-69729ad1a9fc1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Davis has been raised in the Rockets program, and it shows. She's a technically sound setter with a high volleyball IQ, often one of step ahead of the opponent. Davis can deliver accurate sets from anywhere on the court, mixing them up well and recognizing where her team may have an advantage. Her height and long arms help out when attacking or putting up the block. Davis is sound in serve receive. Leadership and making sure everyone on the team is rowing the same direction also stand out as assets. She can contribute on Iowa City Liberty's varsity in 2026, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["754872"],"_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-69729eb4d3198"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hudson featured a collection of talented underclassmen in 2025. Rausch was present among them, ranking second among Pirates with 196 kills. The freshman added 82 digs and 34.0 blocks, which were the third most on the team. Rausch was standing out through six rotations when I watched CIA 15s at the M1 Rochester Elite Scrimmages in early January. She was most impressive from the outside pin, displaying a strong vertical and powerful swing. Rausch times her blocking well and long arms help execute in that endeavor. She offers lateral quickness in the back row. Rausch is athletic and on a path to big things in the sport.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->