Highlighting High-Level Performances from Iowa Clubs

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 playing at a high level this winter:    Waukee has fielded one of the better teams in the state the last few years. It's made it hard for younger players to break through on the varsity. Spots are opening up through graduation losses, however, and Johnson has the look of a prospect you could take advantage of an opportunity. I caught her in action at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. She was competing with Impact 15-1 Elite after developing on the Waukee freshman squad in the fall. Johnson worked well in a 6-2 system, which could be a path to prep playing time this year. She's a sound setter that can make all the plays at the position while running the show. Johnson also shows a pretty good swing and defense at the net, which could have her helping out from the opposite pin.     Green-Huffman put together a solid junior year at Moline in the fall. The junior middle collected 109 kills (.336) and 49.0 blocks in 74 sets. I scouted her while she was competing with Select 17 Mizuno at the 2026 President's Day Classic in St. Louis. She proved to be an interesting prospect. Green-Huffman lists herself at 6-feet, but she looks taller than that. Perhaps it's her long arms and leaping ability that make it seem that way. Regardless, she is a two-way presence in the middle of the net. Green-Huffman generates power in her swing, putting it down with authority. She also flashes an excellent feel for throwing up the block with good timing and anticipation. Green-Huffman could help plenty of programs on the next level with room in the middle.     Bazal was a production machine as a junior at Wilton in 2025. She collected 316 kills (.234) and 342 digs for a Beaver team that reached the regional final, where it fell to eventual state champion Assumption. The versatility Bazal displayed as a prep also makes her a valuable member of her club team. I saw her playing for Select 17 Mizuno at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. Bazal was lining up as a defensive specialist and showing out. She moves well laterally, reacts quickly and is technically sound. Her role was a key one in the team finishing fifth in the open division. I did not see her swing, but her high school numbers would indicate that she can.     Blaum has established herself as a reliable player in the back row. She was outstanding as a Galena junior, picking up 320 digs, averaging 3.9 across 82 sets. Blaum added 24 ace serves and 28 assists to the cause as well. I saw her competing with Adrenaline 17 Marty during the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. Her ability to read the attack and move into good positioning to deliver an accurate pass is what stood out the most. Blaum rarely ends up out of position. Her reflexes are sharp, allowing her to react to a fast-paced attack. Blaum also holds up well in serve-receive and communicates clearly with teammates.     Wainwright was a stalwart for Port Byron Riverdale as a sophomore this past fall. She handed out 504 assists (5.7 per set) and came up with 134 digs (1.5 per set) in 89 sets. Wainwright also was credited 88 ace serves. I had a chance to watch her compete during the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. She was operating as a defensive specialist for Select 16 Mizuno. Wainwright stands out for her consistency and execution on serve-receive. She tracks the ball well and is technically sound in delivering crisp passes. Wainwright moves well laterally and looks like a good athlete in the back row. She's smart and covers well.     I remember watching Johnson compete as a freshman on the Marion varsity and saw a bright future. That's come to fruition from what I witnessed at the state tournament this past fall and again during an in-person scout at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. Johnson came up with team-best 368 digs for the Wolves. She handed out 75 assists, proving adept at putting the two-ball in a good spot at the pin. Those abilities were present again in the Gateway City when she was competing with United 17-1 Premier. Johnson communicates well and commands the back row. A high volleyball IQ and athleticism aid her in covering a lot of the court.

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