Closer Look at Club Season Athletes on the Rise

<!-- 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>If you didn't think the club season was flying by, consider that the Iowa Regional Tournaments begin this weekend in Central Iowa. Best of luck to everyone competing. If you're a volleyball enthusiast that hasn't experienced it, find a time <a href="https://www.iowavbregion.org/junior-regionals" id="https://www.iowavbregion.org/junior-regionals"><strong>HERE</strong></a>. The sport is healthy in this state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've seen a lot of teams and players already this year. Here are student-athletes that have stood out:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["758799"],"_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-69aeec02e17f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Holst has worked hard on her game and steadily improved working the way up through the Platform Elite program. The time put in showed when I was watching her hammer away from the outside pin at the 2026 Impact Invite in Ankeny this club campaign. Holst played an important role in helping Platform Elite 17 Adidas roll to the Gold Bracket title in the 17/18 Division. Holst had taken a step forward with her explosiveness and power from my previous time seeing her compete in person at last year's Windy City qualifier. North Scott graduated a lot of key performers from its Class 4A state championship team last fall. Holst has the look of a prospect that could help the [program_tooltip program_id='431978' first='Lancers' last=''] compete at a high level again in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["555703"],"_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-69aeedabc1449"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I remember watching Hoffman compete for Iowa Select in previous seasons and felt she had a chance to rise up the rankings. It was good to get an opportunity to watch her in person again for the first time during the current club campaign at the 2026 Impact Invite in Ankeny. Hoffman flashed her versatility, standing out at her main position of middle hitter, but also finding success at the opposite pin. Hoffman's slide attack from the middle already is effective and has a chance to continue progressing. She's a legit six-footer with long arms and the potential for more power as she matures in the game. Hoffman really took a step forward between her sophomore and junior years at Moline (IL) High. She averaged 3.0 kills a set in 58 played with 41.0 blocks during the 2025 prep season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["791383"],"_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-69aef2237b8a6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Burkle stood out when scouting her during the last club season and again when watching her compete for Beckman Catholic at the state tournament in the fall. I saw her again at the Rochester (MN) M1 Elite Scrimmages at the beginning of January before another in-person scouting opportunity at the 2026 Impact Invite in Ankeny. Burkle continues growing as an all-around volleyball player. She was operating through six rotations both times I saw her this year, making the most progress in the back row. Burkle is a good athlete with quick reflexes aiding in that endeavor. She brings power to the pin, generating a strong vertical leap and heavy swing. Burkle's jumping ability and timing help her throw up an effective block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["776905"],"_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-69aef5b641817"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An always formidable Ankeny program reached the Class 5A state semifinals in the fall with a senior duo at libero and defensive specialist. That will open up the competition in the back row next season, and Heidemann looks like a serious candidate for playing time after watching her at the 2026 Impact Invite. Playing libero, the sophomore helped power the host club's 16-1 Premier squad to the Gold Bracket championship match. Heidemann operates with athleticism and lateral quickness that also aid her in being a college prospect in softball. You can tell Heidemann dedicates time to both sports by observing her being technically sound with a strong feel for game flow on the volleyball court. She covers a lot of the court, usually is in proper position and delivers usable passes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["954049"],"_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-69aef97210346"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The core group of Ohana's 17U National Team has been on my radar since watching it reach the Iowa Regional Qualifier 16U Gold Bracket last spring. The athletes maximize their individual abilities and play connected as a team in finding success. I saw the 17U National outfit at the Impact Invite in Ankeny when it finished third in the 17/18U Gold Bracket. Procyk was a new name that caught my attention. While her game still has some rawness to it, that just means she has a greater chance of reaching her sizable potential considering the natural gifts. She's a legit 6-1 with long arms and agility. They allowed her to find success swinging from the middle and at the opposite pin. Procyk moves well laterally and casts a large shadow as a blocker. She looks like a player that could contribute to what could very well be a Dallas Center-Grimes team making a run at a 4A title in the fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->