Checking in With Iowa Middles Climbing During Club

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   It's crazy to think this coming weekend's two-day tournaments will usher in the month of March. This club season is cruising along as we barrel toward the Iowa Regional Qualifier and other big events on the way.   In covering competition during the first few months of the campaign, I've written about a lot of prospects. Many more were on my list, however.   This week, I'm going to play catch up. Here's a group of notable middle hitter playing at a high level this winter:    I was impressed with Harrell when watching her compete for Bettendorf this past season. The junior flashed versatility in being able to help the Bulldogs in the middle and at the opposite pin. It resulted in 57 kills and 46.0 blocks in 74 sets. When watching her again at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis, Harrell was rotating through the middle for a Select 17 Mizuno outfit that finished fifth out of 32 teams in the open division. She's a physical presence at the net with a powerful attack generated from a heavy swing. Long arms help her in that endeavor and in throwing up an effective block. Harrell shows good timing and sharp reads when trying to stop the opposing attack. She looks like a prospect with more potential that will continue reaching for it with more reps.     I've scouted Phillips throughout the last fews years with Adrenaline and Cedar Rapids Kennedy. She's steadily improved her game, maturing physically and developing her skills. The process has resulted in Phillips becoming more consistent and powerful. As a Cougar junior, she produced 245 kills (.302) and 66.0 blocks, proving efficient and impactful. That strong play has carried over to club season, where I watched her compete for Adrenaline 17 Marty at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. Phillips stands out for her athleticism, leaping ability and long arms. She's a prospect that could help a lot of college programs in the middle with the skills to slide to the right side as well.     Mussmann stood out as a pop-up prospect for me when watching Select 16 Mizuno compete at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. She's built on a sophomore season at Davenport Central that saw her contribute 62 kills and 29.0 blocks in 70 sets. Mussmann still has some rawness to her game that will be ironed out with more reps. That there's easily recognizable room for growth is exciting for her future. Mussmann's ceiling is sizable thanks to natural gifts in the form of long arms, athleticism and burgeoning power. She held up well playing against strong competition in the open division and more exposure to high-level opponents during club could set her up for a breakout with the Blue Devils this coming fall.     Van Heukelom is a student-athlete I've scouted frequently throughout the years with Iowa City Liberty and on the club circuit. She's proven to be one of the more consistent players I watch on a regular basis, often making the smart volleyball play and delivering for her team. Van Heukelom also brings excellent energy to the court and stands out for celebrating teammates' accomplishment as much as her own. I was reintroduced to that when watching her compete at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis with United 17-1 Premier. Van Heukelom leans on sharp skills and a keen sense for game flow to find success. She'd be a nice addition to plenty of programs on the next level.     I hadn't watched Rasmussen compete in person until I happened upon her helping United 16-1 Elite Timmerman at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. To say I was impressed would an understatement. Her contributions in the middle of the net helped the team finish second in the open division at a high-end event. Rasmussen is an explosive athlete that makes up for a lack of traditional height at the position by leaping out of the gym and generating power in her swing. She shows an excellent feel for game flow and reading the opponent. Agility and lateral quickness also aid her in producing in the middle. Rasmussen looked to be building off a sophomore season with North Polk that saw her record 258 kills (.215), 166 digs and 24.0 blocks.     Breaking through within the state's top programs can be challenging. The rosters are filled with talent and only so much playing time is available. Trettin is a student-athlete that had a smaller role for a strong Waukee outfit in 2025. The junior appeared in only 18 sets but flashed upside with 20 kills and 5.0 blocks. She's built on that experience and appeared ready for big senior season when I watched her competing at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. Trettin possesses a polished skill set in the middle of the net. She combines that with good athleticism and feel for the game. Trettin's long arms help her in throwing up the block, where timing also aids in the endeavor. Waukee graduated its top two middles after this past season, opening the door for the very capable Trettin. Her stock is rising.

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