Recapping Iowa Clubs at UA JVC Winter Classic

<!-- 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/2026/01/photo-gallery-i-iowa-clubs-at-jvc-winter-classic/">Photo Gallery I: Iowa Clubs at JVC Winter Classic</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/01/photo-gallery-ii-iowa-clubs-at-jvc-winter-classic/">Photo Gallery II: Iowa Clubs at JVC Winter Classic</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MILWAUKEE -</strong> One of the most rewarding aspects of this job is happening upon talented volleyball players you've not seen before. Sometimes those are student-athletes in the 14U and 15U age groups. They're beginning to flash their ultimate upside. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here at the UA JVC Winter Classic this past weekend, I'd planned to watch DBQ Insanity's 15U-17U squads. They included mostly ninth-11th grades. In a moment when none of them were competing, I saw a team wearing the club's uniforms out of the corner of my eye. I figured it was probably the 14s even though the kids looked older than that. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It didn't take long to recognize that the squad could be a factor in its age group at the Iowa Regional. High-end talent along with connectivity had it humming against opponents here. It reached the Open Division Gold Bracket, pushing the mighty Milwaukee Sting in the opening round. DBQ Insanity 14-1 National ended up finishing sixth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='936330' first='Mia' last='Walker'] is someone you all will be hearing about frequently. I'm awful at guessing heights, but she looked to be at least 6-foot-2. Walker operates effectively through six-rotations as an outside hitter, putting the ball down with power, imposing the block and holding up strong in the back row. Big things are ahead for this kid. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='780202' first='Mallory' last='Pfab'] is a powerful, left-handed right-side hitter with a sizable ceiling as a player. She's intimidating as a blocker and ends points with a heavy swing. Pfab appears to be around the same height as Walker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Walker and Pfab were the headliners, Insanity 14s' roster included other intriguing players with bright futures.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Setter [player_tooltip player_id='936339' first='Tinley' last='Knopp'] consistently puts the ball where her attackers can make a play, performs well in serve-receive and can block. [player_tooltip player_id='936334' first='Karina' last='Bonnet'], who lines up at the opposite pin, flashed potential as a two-way factor at the position. Middle hitter [player_tooltip player_id='936342' first='Giana' last='Bishell'] throws up a strong block and possesses a right arm built for kills. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='936357' first='Jacey' last='Burkle'] leads the back row with quick actions and instincts resulting in consistently clean passes. Romy Dolan, Aubrey Lucas, Harper Proctor and Stella Thier solidify an impressive roster, top to bottom.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I did end up watching the Insanity 15-17s, too. A path to successful seasons was visible for all should the individual pieces gel together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 15-1 National squad finished 14th in the Premier Division at the JVC Winter Classic. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='936308' first='Addison' last='Koelker'] impressed with her consistency. On the taller side for the position, she exhibited a well-rounded skill set capable of contributing to her team's success in multiple aspects of the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='936315' first='Hayden' last='Proctor'] and [player_tooltip player_id='936311' first='Brooklynn' last='Nelson'] provide Insanity 15s with a pair of impactful middles. They're two-way performers at the spot with plenty of room for improvement, which is exciting. Kate Scherrman is one to watch at the opposite pin. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several kids stood out for the 16-1 National team, too. Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='936371' first='Charlett' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='936375' first='Emily' last='Leytem'], a right-side hitter, performed consistently well with room for growth. [player_tooltip player_id='936379' first='Cassidy' last='Eberling'] and Caitlyn Riley were a strong one-two punch in the middle of the net, [player_tooltip player_id='936373' first='Jalyn' last='Heim'] set with precision, and [player_tooltip player_id='936381' first='Reese' last='Reitzler'] offered athleticism at libero. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 17-1 National outfit includes multiple student-athletes on which to keep an eye. [player_tooltip player_id='936385' first='Cecelia' last='Freihoefer'] stands out as a versatile front-row presence capable of working in the middle or at the opposite pin. Middle [player_tooltip player_id='823131' first='Caroline' last='Freed'], setter [player_tooltip player_id='936387' first='Brooklyn' last='Klaas'], opposite Meg Kuepers, and outsides Claire Ludovissy and [player_tooltip player_id='897692' first='Anna' last='Schockemoehl'] all bring positive contributions to the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rockets 15R enjoyed the best outcome of the Iowa clubs competing at the JVC Winter Classic. The team finished third in the Open Division. It was its first competition that counted this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A deep roster receiving production from everyone on it includes [player_tooltip player_id='759977' first='Abbey' last='Kirk'], [player_tooltip player_id='789484' first='Avrielle' last='Ohda'], [player_tooltip player_id='918371' first='Kaylin' last='Davis'], [player_tooltip player_id='889863' first='Ainsley' last='Conrad'], [player_tooltip player_id='782157' first='Maggie' last='Jensen'], [player_tooltip player_id='780596' first='Audrey' last='Howe'], [player_tooltip player_id='918377' first='Maleah' last='Wedo']<a href="https://prepdig.com/player/maleah-wedo-2/"></a>, [player_tooltip player_id='931274' first='Emerson' last='Ehrke'], [player_tooltip player_id='890305' first='Johanna' last='Shaffer'], [player_tooltip player_id='760983' first='Finley' last='Batchelder']. You can read more about the team <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/01/2026-club-team-preview-iowa-rockets-15r/">HERE</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I caught Boost 18U Navy for a few minutes at JVC. Mid-Prairie's [player_tooltip player_id='847956' first='Laurin' last='Fay'] has continued to improve and could help colleges out there looking for a two-way middle with an effective jump serve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->