Rockin’ Right-Sides from 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 right-side hitters:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["730098"],"_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-69989550b7154"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I was first exposed to Crane's volleyball talents when she competed at a Prep Dig showcase in Clive last spring. I watched her again with Dowling Catholic throughout the 2025 prep season. It was good to see her again in-person at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. To say she was dominant would an understatement. Crane's heavy hammer from the opposite pin pounded opponents all weekend during United 16-1 Elite Timmerman's run to the open division gold bracket championship match. Crane has just steadily improved from that first scouting opportunity at the Horizon's Center. She's an explosive athlete with strength and agility. With ever-improving volleyball skills and technique, it all appears to be coming together for Crane on her journey to reaching a considerable ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["913696"],"_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-69989930d7872"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Iowa Impact 15-1 Elite was appointment viewing for me at the 2026 President's Day Classic in St. Louis. It was time well spent, as the squad went on to a fifth-place finish among 32 teams in the Premier Red division. Freeman played an instrumental role in the team finding success in the Gateway City. She stood out most for her versatility. I watched her put the ball down effectively from both pins. She generates power by leaping well and getting on top of the ball. Freeman reads the defense well and adjusts the attack accordingly. Long arms, a strong vertical and sharp timing help her in throwing up the block. She led Carlisle in kills as a sophomore in 2025 and is one to watching moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["758849"],"_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-69989c958debe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Meidlinger just keeps steadily improving as a volleyball player. With that said, there's potential for plenty more, an exciting prospect. The Liberty High junior is a powerful performer at the opposite pin. Her swing is heavy and dangerous, especially when getting a clean attack. Meidlinger is getting better at reading the blocks and directing her hits accordingly. Height, long arms and timing help in defending the net. All of her strengths shined through when watching her at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. There'd been progress made since scouting her multiple times during the prep season, when she 124 kills (.159) and 28.0 blocks in 63 sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["773333"],"_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-69989f1071e3b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Most of my scouting time focuses on Iowa student-athletes. I exclusively watch in-state high school ball. In covering clubs programs within the borders, however, there's opportunity to watch out-of-state performers on those teams. Wilkin reminded how rewarding that can be playing with Select Mizuno 16 Mizuno at the 2026 President's Day Classic in St. Louis. The athletic Fulton (IL) High stand outs most swinging away from the opposite pin, but her value increases when considering her all-around game, motor and determination. Wilkin can jump out of the gym and generates a ton of power on the attack. A high volleyball IQ combining with explosive athleticism makes Wilkin a prospect of note no matter what state she's representing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["760983"],"_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-69989f1071ef8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Batchelder is one of our daughter's teammates on Rockets 15R this season. As such, I've watched just about every one of her game reps. The Alburnett freshman has made notable progress with her consistency, which was on display at the 2026 President's Day Classic in St. Louis. Batchelder's performance was a key in helping the team finish fifth out of 32 teams in the Open Division. When given a chance to put the ball down, she came through, especially when the squad won a trio of three-set matches on day one to clinch a gold bracket berth. Batchelder explodes off of the court into a strong vertical leap, generating power. Those traits assist in throwing up an effective block, too. Batchelder started as an Alburnett freshman this past fall, ranking second among the Pirates in kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["490006"],"_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-6998a35c826f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Askelsen was a key member of a Ballard squad that reached the Class 4A regional finals this past prep campaign. The junior delivered 124 kills (.209) 47.0 blocks and 156 digs in highlighting her all-around volleyball skills. Those talents were on display during a live scouting opportunity at the 2026 Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. Askelsen was lining up at the opposite pin when I watched her operating for Impact 17-1 Elite. A heavy swing stood out as a strength as did athletic explosiveness and agility. Askelsen also has a strong feel for the game and flows well with points, leading to her being in good position to take advantage when opportunities come her way. Long arms and timing are present in effective blocking. </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><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/02/monsters-in-middle-at-stl-presidents-day-classic/">Monsters in Middle at STL President's Day Classic</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/02/setters-shine-at-stl-presidents-day-classic/">Setters Shine at STL President's Day Classic</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->