Austin’s 17/18 Open Dream Team from Prep Dig Iowa Clash

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oh, the choices for this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have so much to cover after a thrilling, unpredictable weekend at the Prep Dig Iowa Clash. This early-season tournament drew exceptional club competitors from the Hawkeye State and beyond, providing a barometer for the Midwest's qualifier hopefuls. The Clash's 17/18 Open division was particularly compelling, and we have a wealth of all-tournament-worthy talent to cover.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a list full of surprise standouts and familiar stars. It's what makes covering these events so exciting, especially as a Nebraska "outsider."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After much deliberation, I have my picks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["483908"],"_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-699ba44500acd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Meet the MVP. Busch was the most impactful player in the gym last weekend, lifting Manhattan Mayhem 17P to a stunning, improbable championship in enemy territory. When these Kansas visitors needed a kill in crunch time, Busch was usually the one to deliver. Her heavy heat was impossible to stop, particularly when she was given a window down the line. But, like any game-changing outside hitter, Busch's influence was not limited to frontcourt scoring. She was unflappable in the middle-back area and delivered dimes for Manhattan Mayhem's up-temp offense. I guarantee I'll be tracking down Busch and her team on the qualifier circuit later this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["480402"],"_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-699ba44500b6d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're moving into the middle. A balanced effort is required for the kind of triumph we saw from Manhattan Mayhem, and Bruna provided that impact when the team was in system. She quickly established herself as one of the best slide hitters at the Iowa Clash. Bruna's lateral quickness allowed her to get ahead of opposing wing blockers and crank through large windows at the tape. She combined this with the physicality needed to square up with any of the event's hard-hitting attackers. It's a perfect combination.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["885608"],"_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-699ba44500be6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Let's piece it all together in the back row. Liberos are often the unsung heroes of championship climbs. Ruliffson did the "dirty work" that may not show up in a box score, but her Manhattan Mayhem teammates understand the value she provides in the contrasting jersey. She stood in and dug heat in the crosscourt, but Ruliffson also dished out the accurate passes to aid overall team success. This Manhattan gem is a major stock riser in Kansas' Class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["555797"],"_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-699ba44500c36"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We knew we'd have a few Iowa PowerPlex stars to see in the club's home gym. Iowa PowerPlex 17U Mendoza lineup is loaded with firepower, but Ellison emerged as a surprise leader for her runner-up crew. She has demonstrated her ball control prowess at previous Prep Dig showcases. However, Ellison flourished as a full-time left-side hitter at last weekend's event and produced innumerable eye-popping swings. Her burst and explosiveness were ready-made for this dream team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["555796"],"_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-699ba44500c7d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">What an opportunity to catch up with this circuit regular. I was fortunate enough to cover Burrell at our last Iowa showcase, and the terminal opposite quickly became one of our top standouts at that event. She has replicated that feat in a tournament environment, dealing out indefensible swings on the right pin. 17U Mendoza took full advantage of Burrell's frontcourt rotations and mixed her in on combination plays, too. Find any way possible to give Burrell her share.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["493601"],"_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-699ba44500cc2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Iowa PowerPlex 17U Brogean's stacked lineup delivered on our sky-high expectations, and Ladwig engineered the team's success at the opposite position. Much like Burrell, Ladwig changes the dynamic at the net as soon as she rotates in. We saw 17U Brogean experiment with various lineups throughout the Iowa Clash, but Ladwig was the focal point of most of them. She matched her wicked right arm with a clinical, well-formed block on the wings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["521226"],"_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-699ba44500d05"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nebraska Elite 17-1 carried the Great Plains Region banner well last weekend, building on the team's tremendous run at the ASICS Presidents' Day Classic. Petersen has carved out her niche as the team's true 'M1' who can do a little of everything at the middle blocker spot. She reads opposing setters with ruthless efficiency, aligning herself with whichever attacker gets the swing. Petersen is a sure bet in one-on-one situations, and she has even added a wicked serve to her arsenal. This Elkhorn junior's emergence will be key to Nebraska Elite's future qualifier endeavors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["765196"],"_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-699ba44500d46"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We had to get the setters involved, and we're pulling from the Class of 2029 for this one. Meister exhibited the calm leadership you'd need as a 15s squad facing 17s and 18s teams. Nebraska Elite 15 Apex did not shy away from any challenge at the Iowa Clash, and we'd expect nothing less than a confident effort from Meister. She played against plenty of older peers while representing Omaha Westside last fall. Last weekend's event was just another chapter in the saga.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->