Film Room: Checking In With Top Iowa 2028s

<!-- 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 a super important time for members of Iowa's 2028 Class. These prep sophomores are performing with purpose in club ball this winter and spring leading up to June, when colleges coaches can first contact them directly, per NCAA rules. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I decided to check in on the group by locating new video from club ball. The following updated scouting reports were generated on those findings: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["545946"],"_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-698e1003c347b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I first scouted Waldorf during last year's Iowa Regional Qualifier when she guided Premier to the title in dominant fashion. It didn't take long to realize the potential was through the roof. I saw her at the Prep Dig Sizzle in August and again when she was leading underdog Humboldt to the Class 3A state title match. Waldorf has continued that climb toward her sizable ceiling. I hadn't caught Premier yet in 2026, so it was worth searching for video of her progress. We can witness that when watching a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVjNlHcetlI&amp;t=1s"><strong>early-season highlight video</strong></a> recently posted. Waldorf should make sure she's ready for plenty of calls from colleges in June. She's smooth moving around the court, delivering crisp sets when the passes are precise or when chasing them down. Her back and middle sets have improved dramatically in the last year. Waldorf is tall with long arms, aiding her when ending points or blocking the opposing attack. Serve receive and back-row defense also are trending up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["781456"],"_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-698e19f5aa0c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kooiman announced her presence for me when watching her perform during the 2024 Iowa State High School Tournament as a freshman. She led Western Christian with 11 kills in the 3A championship match against Mount Vernon. Kooiman showed great improvement when scouting her again at the 2025 state tournament. She delivered 20 kills in a crushing semifinal setback against Humboldt. Kooiman is an explosive athlete with long arms and leaping ability. She shows a natural feel when on the attack or throwing up the block. What makes Kooiman such an exciting college prospect is that there's a high floor and ceiling. She reports a 10-foot approach and looks the part during her <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/24252461/698bc99faf5ee49d5eb80d04"><strong>recently-posted highlight video</strong></a> from the MLK Nebraska Premier Invite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["516002"],"_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-698e1b27dc158"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Schlarbaum was one of the in-state 2028 Class' fastest rising prospects last season. It started with contributions to a state tournament team as a freshman at Clear Creek Amana, and was followed up by an outstanding club campaign and performance on the showcase circuit. Schlarbaum kept that momentum going during the 2025 prep year, earning third-team all-state laurels in helping the Clippers get back to state. She's back at it again for United 16-1 Elite as we can see from the recent videos posted on her <a href="https://sportsrecruits.com/athlete/julia_schlarbaum2"><strong>Sports Recruits page</strong></a>. Schlarbaum combines athleticism and explosion with sharp skills and court sense. She's versatile with an ability to end points from the pin or deliver a precise pass leading to a kill. Schlarbaum has experienced noticeable strides with consistency, which is what college coaches like to see. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["540833"],"_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-698e24374f553"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McDonald has improved a great deal since I first scouted her as a Cedar Rapids Xavier freshman in 2024. Then, she was a defensive specialist and effective server. Now, she's coming off a prep campaign that saw her command the back row while wearing the jersey for Iowa City West in its return to the state tournament in the past fall. From the start of the season at the Prep Dig Sizzle to the a return to Xtreme Arena for state, McDonald noticeably sharpened her game. She switched from United to Premier for club ball. A spot on the state's top team for her age group will expose McDonald to high-level national competition. That continues this weekend when Premier lines up at the Triple Crown invite in Kansas City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["729146"],"_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-698e2677a8d52"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's been fun watching Jackson raise her level of play throughout the last few years. From holding it down in the back row for PowerPlex's mighty squads to helping Dallas Center-Grimes reach the state tournament this past fall, she's a proven winner and a key contributor to that success. Jackson is technically sound and sees the court well, which leads to consistently good performance. Her reflexes are sharp and lateral movement is quick. I last scouted her in person at the state tournament, so it made sense to check in on her club campaign. Jackson posted <a href="https://www.fieldlevel.com/app/profile/anna.jackson.2467568/volleyballwomen/videos/3393381"><strong>highlights from the MLK tournament</strong></a> and more clips from the early season <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/23414055/696ae71d0d12eeadf80269f3"><strong>HERE</strong></a>. It's clear her ascent is continuing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["763850"],"_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-698e28086f7fc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Stanfel emerged as a prospect for us during the last year's club season and with her showcase performances. She flashed that high upside again when I scouted Dowling at the Westside Invite in Cedar Rapids and again at the state tournament. As well as she performs now, one of the more exciting aspects of Stanfel as a prospect is that it feels like there's a ways to go before reaching a considerable ceiling. Stanfel is powerful with a heavy swing. Long arms and leaping ability also aid in defending at the net. She's effective at both pins, giving her the versatility college coaches covet. Stanfel still appears to be climbing the ladder when we watch her <a href="https://www.fieldlevel.com/app/profile/gianna.stanfel/volleyballwomen/videos"><strong>early-season club highlights</strong></a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->