Five Teams We’re Anxious to See at Midwest National Tune-Up

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Des Moines beckons yet again!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though I mostly cover my Nebraska homeland on the Prep Dig site, I've been making a habit of logging treks to the heart of the Hawkeye State. Our circuit of Prep Dig events has deep roots in Des Moines, and I've been fortunate enough to cover several of these Iowa showdowns. This year's Iowa Clash set a high bar, but we're ready to clear it this weekend!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Midwest National Tune-Up will feature several familiar faces from the Clash, but we're layering in some new competitors, too. This outing will be a perfect venue to check in on player development while also discovering additional athletes for our recruiting radar. It's all going down at the Horizon Events Center.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are five teams that have my early attention before the summer circuit ramps up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">South Central NE 18 Black</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You knew I couldn't pass up this Nebraska opportunity, right?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a last hurrah for the South Central crew. This stacked Great Plains lineup features several new additions to a core unit that has seen plenty of postseason volleyball. Game-changing 2026s like Jalyn Branson, Myla Emery, Kyla Griess, Taytum Perdew, and Payton Sullivan have forever changed the trajectory of South Central NE's development. Bella Sjuts and Sydney Hengelfelt joined the crew this spring for an extra layer of championship-winning excellence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Preparations are underway for AAU Nationals. Look for Sjuts to dish out a smooth, dynamic offense with Branson and Sullivan emerging as leading terminators.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're so lucky to have more time with this all-star cast. Let's make it a memorable summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/2015429012013928859?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/2015429012013928859?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Iowa Premier 16-1</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yes, a 16s team is our top seed in this weekend's 17/18s division. Iowa Premier 16-1 has earned it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 16 Open competitor has brought the heat beyond the Iowa Region. Premier is embarking on a busy summer that will take it from the Midwest Tune-Up to the vaunted Prep Dig Gauntlet. No challenge will be too great for this group after a recent top-five placement at the Salt Lake City Showdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frontcourt stars like [player_tooltip player_id='781381' first='Gabrielle' last='Hatlevig'], [player_tooltip player_id='702737' first='Alena' last='Schaack'], and [player_tooltip player_id='533845' first='Taylor' last='Otte'] will undoubtedly draw some attention this weekend. However, don't overlook the massive ball control contributions from [player_tooltip player_id='545946' first='Addison' last='Waldorf'] and [player_tooltip player_id='540833' first='Izzie' last='McDonald']. Qualifying in 16 Open demands a full team effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":735953,"width":"248px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.0281441308188504","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/91-Taylor-Otte-e1735048860845.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-735953" style="aspect-ratio:1.0281441308188504;width:248px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Otte</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep close tabs on this Tune-Up title contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Wisconsin Ice 16 National</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bring on the Badger Region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Out-of-state challengers are always dangerous at our Des Moines events. Wisconsin Ice 16 National could be the next in line, especially given the team's extensive experience at Prep Dig tournaments. 16 National has taken on this year's Prep Dig Resolution, Minnesota Slam, and Madness in Milltown, among other high-profile stages.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll be closely following Wisconsin Ice's hard-hitting athletes, led by Gwen Klasinski and Addyson Nowak. Setter depth is also a strength with NoraLee Pohl and Ava Ngo patrolling the right-back area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Iowa PowerPlex 16U Chapman</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's one of those familiar Clash competitors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa PowerPlex 16U Chapman has racked up plenty of tournament hardware on the Prep Dig Circuit. The team earned a runner-up finish at our Iowa Clash, narrowly falling to its PowerPlex counterparts from 16U Nelson. That was followed by a "redemption" championship at the Quad Cities Quest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The qualifier scene has brought out the best in 16U Chapman, which earned a top-ten finish in the 16 USA race at Windy City. [player_tooltip player_id='754848' first='Annabell' last='Niggemeyer'], [player_tooltip player_id='987629' first='Ryan' last='Connolly'], and [player_tooltip player_id='730397' first='Claire' last='Kenny'] have dazzled us with their lightning-fast arms along the net. We've also been treated to emergent performances from [player_tooltip player_id='752514' first='Brooklynn' last='Kelley'], who can operate in the middle or at opposite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another podium climb is the expectation this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/2025335735100813490?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KingsleyATK/status/2025335735100813490?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">[program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] 15-1</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Welcome to the fray, [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets']!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's only fitting that we'll see that familiar Hawkeye Black and Gold at this weekend's Tune-Up. [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] has been a mainstay on the Prep Dig Circuit, and this 15-1 crew should carry on the club's rich championship tradition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rockets posted a strong performance at last month's Show Me Qualifier and maintained that momentum at the Mizuno Midwest Challenge. This sets the table for an AAU Nationals trip, where Iowa's 15s teams should loom large.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're eager for this chance to scout some of Iowa's up-and-coming 2029s. [player_tooltip player_id='775626' first='Georgia' last='Sutherland'], Eloise Guhl, and [player_tooltip player_id='990580' first='Alexis' last='Freese'] have formed an exceptional physical anchor for [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets']. Meanwhile, all-around gems [player_tooltip player_id='990577' first='Leah' last='Lloyd'] and [player_tooltip player_id='942780' first='Lola' last='Gardner'] will handle first contacts and allow these terminators to flourish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expect this operation to find a groove in home territory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->