Monsters in Middle at STL President’s Day 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><strong>President's Day Pictures</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/02/photo-gallery-i-st-louis-nike-presidents-class-2026/">Photo Gallery I</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/02/photo-gallery-ii-st-louis-nike-presidents-class-2026/">Photo Gallery II</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/02/photo-gallery-iii-st-louis-nike-presidents-class-2026/">Photo Gallery III</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ST. LOUIS -&nbsp;</strong>Iowa clubs represented themselves well during this past weekend's Nike President's Day Classic at the Americas Center. Most, if not all, age groups saw teams from the state competing in Gold Bracket play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That success occurs when talented individuals stand out on well-connected squads. Those athletes can't do it alone, but their teams need them to deliver big plays in important moments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's look back at those performances, position by position. Here's a noteworthy collection of middle hitters/blockers:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["933239"],"_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-6997359ce7b95"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">From what I witnessed at the 2026 Nike President's Class in St. Louis, Impact 15-1 Elite can make some noise at this year's Iowa Regional Qualifier and beyond. Niggemeyer is a key reason for that. The freshman from Dowling Catholic helped the squad finish 5th among 32 teams in the Premier Red Division. Niggemeyer is physically advanced for her age. She's strong and powerful with explosion to her game. Long arms aid in throwing up an intimidating block and in getting on top of the ball at the peak of her jump. Niggemeyer appears athletic, moving well laterally and working around the setter while the ball is in play. It will be interesting to track her progress throughout the rest of the club campaign and into the fall with the Maroons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["749529"],"_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-6997367de34bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I don't follow Illinois prep volleyball but quite a few Land of Lincoln residents compete for Iowa clubs. I enjoy the exposure to talent from our neighbors to the the east. That happened at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis when watching Adrenaline 17 Marty. Bauer brings a loud game to the middle of the net. She makes up for being undersized by jumping out of the gym. Bauer generates serious power with her right arm, rearing back and dropping the hammer. Her explosion and timing lead to producing an effective block. Bauer is athletic and moves well laterally. She's uncommitted and could help plenty of college programs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["783286"],"_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-699741753735f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Evans has been rising up the Prep Dig rankings for good reason, as I found out when watching her perform for Select 16 Mizuno in the Open Division at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic. The Prince of Peace sophomore is coming off a prep season that saw her produce 145 kills (.151), 46.0 blocks and 119 digs in 72 sets. Evans possesses all of the tools needed for success in the middle of the net. She's tall with long arms, can jump and moves well. Those traits lead to effective play against current competition and also give her a high ceiling with further development. It feels like Evans is just scratching the surface of what she can be, and that's an exciting prospect for prospective colleges looking for help at the net. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["745362"],"_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-6997442d052d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I first caught Reed in action during last year's MLK Day tournament in Kansas City. I scouted her through the club campaign and always left the court feeling good about her future. That view was confirmed when watching her compete at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. Reed is a true two-way contributor in the middle of the net. Long arms and leaping ability lead to her playing taller than her listed height of six feet. Those natural abilities pair with strong volleyball instincts in throwing up an effective block. Reed is a good athlete that moves smoothly around the court, making herself available for a swing or selling a fake for a teammate. She helped Winterset reach the Class 4A regional semifinals by leading the Huskies in kills (211, .204) and picking up 147 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["765334"],"_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-699745d9bda83"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My first exposure to Sandholm was watching her help Premier 15-1 to an Iowa Regional Championship. That team earned at Open Division bid at the USAV National. She's put herself in position to get back to that level this season with United 16 Elite Timmerman, who I watched compete at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. She'd grown and added power to her game since watching her last club season. Sandholm is a good athlete and a technically sound volleyball player. Those traits help her limit mistakes and take advantage when opponents leave an opening. It's a heavy swing and a good feel for the block. Sandholm has plenty of room to go before reaching her potential. She's positioned to help a Centennial varsity hit by graduation after a run to the 5A state title match last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["890305"],"_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-69974e043c8b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Shaffer is my daughter's teammate, so I've been fortunate enough to watch her growth just since we started the club season. My latest exposure occurred at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. Shaffer was instrumental in helping Rockets 15R win a trio of three-set matches on Day 1 as it clinched a Gold Bracket spot. The team would finish fifth against a strong field. Shaffer has improved her consistency during the last few months. Reading the opponents' block better on the attack and timing her own defense has led to the gains. Shaffer also is finding success on the slide attack to the opposite pin. It all works because of her long arms and leaping ability. There's room for greater production with more reps as Shaffer reaches for her sizable ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Previous Position Breakdowns</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/02/liberos-lightning-up-nike-presidents-day-classic/">Liberos Lightning Up Nike President's Day Classic</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/02/high-production-pins-from-stl-presidents-day-classic/">High-Production Pins from STL President's Day Classic</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->