Surging Middles from ‘26 Windy City NQ

<!-- 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><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/04/best-day-1-photos-from-2026-windy-city-nq/">Best Day 1 Photos from 2026 Windy City NQ</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/04/more-day-1-photos-from-2026-windy-city-national-qualifier/">More Day 1 Photos from 2026 Windy City National Qualifier</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/04/photo-gallery-i-adidas-windy-city-national-qualifier/">Photo Gallery I: Adidas Windy City National Qualifier</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/04/photo-gallery-ii-adidas-windy-city-national-qualifier/">Photo Gallery II: Adidas Windy City National Qualifier</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/04/photo-gallery-iii-adidas-windy-city-national-qualifier/">Photo Gallery III: Adidas Windy City National Qualifier</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chicago played host to the 2026 Windy City National Qualifier last weekend at McCormick Place. Clubs from Iowa took on some of the nation's top teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at rising middle hitters at the event: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["571219"],"_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-69d8f1d1256c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Waters was an important piece of the Clear Creek Amana puzzle in 2025. The sophomore middle hitter's 108 sets played represented the second most on the team behind the regular starters. In that time, she proved efficient in contributing 44 kills (.345) and 25.0 blocks. Waters should be asked to take on a bigger role in the fall following production lost to graduation. After taking a significant step forward as a prep and with how well she's performing this club campaign, Waters appears up for the challenge. She displayed that ability during the Windy City National Qualifier over Easter weekend in Chicago. A legit 6-foot-3, long arms and leaping ability have her playing taller than that. Waters is agile and athletic, moving well laterally, and getting off the court quickly. Defense is ahead of offense right now, but the attack is improving. More power will arrive with more strength. She already reads the block and second level of the defense well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["760323"],"_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-69d8f1d125721"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Scouting individual volleyball players inevitably comes with the familiarity of their teams. In club ball, that means varying levels of connectivity. The most fun squads to watch are highly connected. It's why I've sought out this current Ohana 17 National group the last few years. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts, which are really good. Olsen is a great example of a player that's worked hard on the non-varsity levels at prep powerhouse Waukee Northwest and in an underrated developmental program in Ohana. She showed that growth when watching her at the Impact Invite and again during the Adidas Windy City National Qualifier during Easter weekend in Chicago. The latter was versus the strong competition at one of the sport's marquee events. Undersized for the middle, she, like her Ohana teammates, overcome a lack of cookie-cutter physical traits with athleticism and high volleyball IQs. She, like them, understands her capabilities and plays within them. Olsen explodes off of the court, skies into the air and hangs up there. She sees the court well, leading to blocks aided by positioning and an effective attack, where she generates plenty of power. Olsen would be starring for plenty of high schools not as deep as the Wolves, and could help programs at the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["934822"],"_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-69d8fc7950ce8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Burds has steadily improved as an overall volleyball player and added versatility when scouting her during the last year. She flashed potential on the club circuit in 15U last year and contributed on the Western Dubuque varsity as a sophomore this past fall. Burds had taken another step forward based on her performance at the 2026 Adidas Windy City National Qualifier over Easter weekend in Chicago. Facing quality competition at one of the season's premier events, she produced as a two-way presence in the middle of the net. The swing is heavy with a chance to add significant velocity as she becomes stronger. Burds reads the block well and finds holes in the defense. An improving block is aided by good bounce and timing against the opposing attack. Burds is one to watch the rest of the club campaign and could break out for the Bobcat varsity in the fall, when she's capable of contributing from any of the front-row positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["746258"],"_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-69d8fe3cf2ac6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Goodell began emerging during last year's club campaign. Then, she broke out in the prep season last fall. It started with her shining during the Prep Dig Sizzle last fall and ended with a spot in the Class 3A state championship match for the first time in school history. Goodell has the tools needed at the position - bouncy off the court, a quick jumper, high vertical and growing confidence. It's that last part that has really grown, allowing her to attack consistently with a heavy swing that will become heavier as strength is added. Quicks are a part of her game, too. She gets a good feel for the flow of the match, and what the defense is giving up. Goodell throws up an effective block utilizing keen timing and clean reads of the opposing attack. She finished her sophomore season leading the Wildcats with 307 kills (.333) and 81.0 blocks. Goodell might have already broken out, but she remains an ascending prospect packed with potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["555746"],"_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-69d920bf6025d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Yeggy looked like a player with a chance to be really good last club season and on the showcase circuit. It was a matter of gaining consistency and becoming more aggressive. Well, she began realizing some of her upside as a Pleasant Valley junior in the fall, when she helped the defending Class 5A champs return to the state tournament with 207 kills (.347) and a team-best 75.0 blocks. The consistency and aggressiveness were present with the production. She increased those strengths this club year, including a excellent performance at the 2026 Adidas Windy City National Qualifier Easter Weekend in Chicago. Competing in the Open Division, Yeggy looked explosive and locked in as a two-way middle. Her swing keeps getting heavier and the attack more efficient. She reads the block and defense well. Yeggy bounces quickly off the court in throwing up the block and has a good feel for the opponent's plan. She still has room to go before reaching her upside, making her a recruit that could help a lot of programs on the next level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->