Top-Flight Pins from 2026 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/" id="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 high-end outside hitters, most of them six-rotation player: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["490013"],"_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-69d5a7fba44fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The last time I watched Vogt compete in person was when she led Waukee Northwest to its second Class 5A state championship in the last three seasons this past fall. She'd lifted her game since seeing her the previous club campaign. It was good to see her again at the Windy City National Qualifier during Easter weekend in Chicago. The long-limbed attacker had taken another step forward. With Vogt, it's a impressive combination of present production and a prospect packed with potential. She already generates a ton of power and jumps out of the gym. The high ceiling comes from her opportunity to become more physical with age. A coach's kid, Vogt is technically sound with a high volleyball IQ. She picks up information as the match goes on and uses it to her advantage, whether it's knowing where to attack the opponent or in defending at the net or back row. Vogt will try to lead the Wolves to a repeat in the fall and then head off to Iowa State, where the sky is the limit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["360642"],"_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-69d5b270a5768"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Action at the Windy City National Qualifier Easter weekend in Chicago was when I watched Austen perform in person for the first time since November's state tournament. She led Iowa City West to state for the first time since 2016. I've watched Austen raise her level of play steadily during the last three years. She keeps getting stronger, more explosive and more consistent. Austen showed another gear while competing against top competition in the Open Division at Windy City. She mounted a powerful attack against big blocks, blasting through them and working off of them for points. Austen is seeing the court and reading the block better, taking advantage when there's an opening down the line. She's also improved her block and is reliable in the back row. Austen is a Power 4 recruit for a lot of reasons and has a chance to shine on the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["443092"],"_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-69d5b436057cd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">So, I didn't get a chance to scout Rogers this past prep seaspon. I thought I might catch her again at the state tournament, but Valley knocked out Waukee in the regional final. That meant the opportunity to watch her compete at the Windy City National Qualifier during Easter weekend in Chicago would be a chance to see how much the Purdue recruit had improved since the last club campaign. Spoiler alert: Significantly. Rogers added power to her swing by becoming stronger and increasing her vertical leap to get on top of the ball. She was forcing the ball through blocks when not going around them. Rogers reads the opponent's movements well in working her way around the defense. She also beats the block with her quick bounce off of the court. Rogers' long arms lead her into playing bigger than her 6-2 height when she's defending at the net. As good as she is already, there's a really high ceiling here, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["500340"],"_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-69d5b69471c8b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Klein has stood out as one of the state's better 2027s for years. I saw that again when watching her a few times during the high school season for Dowling Catholic after seeing her in the previous club campaign. The Santa Clara commitment was at it again for the latest in-person scouting opportunity, which happened at the Windy City National Qualifier during Easter weekend in Chicago. A combination of skills and versatility make her an asset to any team for which she competes. Klein was potent on the attack with a heavy swing from both pins. She ended plenty of points for PowerPlex playing in the Open Division. Klein has improved as an all-around defender working through six rotations. An improved blocker, she may have made even more growth in holding it down in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["516002"],"_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-69d5b904f2726"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Schlarbaum broke out as a prospect during the last club campaign and on the showcase circuit. She returned in the fall to earn all-state laurels as a sophomore for a Clear Creek Amana squad that reached the state semifinals. After watching her ascent through those two periods of time, I wondered how much more of a jump she'd made before watching her at the Windy City National Qualifier during Easter weekend in Chicago. Schlarbaum proved to be a prospect continuing to rise, showing improvement in all phases of the game. She looked to have grown taller and become stronger. It translated into more power at the pin. Schlarbaum regularly puts the ball down on the court without the defense having much chance. She hits accurately across the court and down the line. Schlarbaum has become more consistent in throwing up the block and in defending the back row. Her serve-receive game has become steady and reliable. Colleges were at Schlarbaum's court quite a bit in Chicago, a trend that should continue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->