Going Gauntlet – Iowa Premier 16-1 Claims Open Bid

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're getting closer to Prep Dig's top event with the Prep Dig Gauntlet.&nbsp; This event started in 2019 and is now one of the top pre-national events in the country taking place in the Milwaukee area.&nbsp; The 15-17 Elite and Open Divisions will be played at the [program_tooltip program_id='428672' first='Milwaukee' last='Sting'] Center with some of the top prospects going toe to toe.&nbsp; Let's take a look at Iowa Premier 16-1 who will be in the 16 Elite Division after qualifying for the 16 Open division at the Salt Lake City Qualifier.&nbsp; They will be among the top 48 teams in the country that will compete at the highest 16s level at USAV Nationals in Indianapolis.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were plenty of expectations for this team heading into the season.  They have the top outside in [player_tooltip player_id='560368' first='Elle' last='Hatlevig'] in the Iowa Class of 2027 as well as the top setter in [player_tooltip player_id='545946' first='Addison' last='Waldorf'] and right side with [player_tooltip player_id='545971' first='Avery' last='Cordes']. This group has plenty of experience playing together which is always an advantage.  However, they would be faced with a daunting schedule that included Triple Crown NIT and qualifiers with Sunshine, MEQ, Show Me, and Salt Lake City. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a guaranteed National division bid after winning the Iowa Region Qualifier, it came down to the Salt Lake Qualifier the weekend of April 25-27 to grab an open bid.  This was one of the top qualifiers in the country with the top team in the country in A5 out of Atlanta being the clear favorite and plenty of open qualifiers in this field.  They would survive a day two three way tie going 2-1 with wins over Alamo out of San Antonio and NORCO out of Colorado it put them in position to win a bid on day three.  They were able to defeat Colorado Juniors to soar into tie for 5th overall, getting their open bid to Indy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":766106,"width":"496px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.5014953078271631","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/04/RG1A2779.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-766106" style="aspect-ratio:1.5014953078271631;width:496px;height:auto"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Pins</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elle Hatelvig and [player_tooltip player_id='730419' first='Hailey' last='Wiederin'] have been quite the one-two punch for this team.  Hatlevig was quick to jump on the radar right away as a freshman at Norwalk and her 15s season.  She has a full six rotation game where she can serve receive, pass, swing for power while also being able to mix in a variety of shots.  She is also a lethal scoring threat out of the backrow.  Wiederin has come on strong in her sophomore campaign.  Her performance at the state tournament for traditional power Ankeny really elevated her after an 18 kill outing against Dowling in a five set quarterfinal win.  Her length and athleticism is exciting and as her backcourt game evolves she will be able to score anywhere on the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":766101,"width":"485px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.5014953078271631","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/04/RG1A2770.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-766101" style="aspect-ratio:1.5014953078271631;width:485px;height:auto"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Commander</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Addie Waldorf is another one who really made a statement her sophomore year, leading Humboldt High School to a state runner-up finish in Class 3A which included an upset win over Western Christian in the semifinals.&nbsp; She brings an athletic and physical style to the setter position where she receives the ball high and neutral.&nbsp; She knows how to set all the tempos and the connection on the outside with a shoot set has been impressive.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":986835,"width":"488px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/02/RG1A0465-crop-3188x2093-1778524808.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-986835" style="width:488px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='702737' first='Alena' last='Schaack']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Enforcers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The middles and right sides for Iowa Premier are a blend of speed and power where they an be used in multiple ways. [player_tooltip player_id='702737' first='Alena' last='Schaack'] and [player_tooltip player_id='533845' first='Taylor' last='Otte'] have been playing out of the middle where they can run in front and behind the setter.&nbsp; Schaack jumps like a deer, she gets in the air real quick and is so dynamic as an attacker and a force to know as a blocker.&nbsp; Otte makes her way to the Des Moines area from Iowa City West where she had a solid high school season for West.&nbsp; She has a s heavy swing where she's not afraid to be aggressive to find the deep corner. [player_tooltip player_id='545971' first='Avery' last='Cordes'] is the right side who won a state title this past fall for Waukee Northwest as a middle blocker.&nbsp; Her game has evolved where she can truly score anywhere along the front line.&nbsp; She has a fast arm and knows the open spots where she can score points.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":986833,"width":"436px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/05/RG1A6908-crop-3188x2093-1778524728.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-986833" style="width:436px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='540833' first='Izzie' last='McDonald']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Backline</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Everything for this team starts with the first contact and they have plenty of depth at that.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='809159' first='Reese' last='Heim'], [player_tooltip player_id='540833' first='Izzie' last='McDonald'], and [player_tooltip player_id='766068' first='Madison' last='Messerly'] hold it down.&nbsp; Heim is one of the top uncommitted liberos from the Class of 2027 and would be a great steal at the next level.&nbsp; She's been holding down the libero position the past two seasons for this team.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='540833' first='Izzie' last='McDonald'] had a huge high school season for Iowa City West enroute to a state tournament and has an athletic style of play with a point scoring serve.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='766068' first='Madison' last='Messerly'] has been utilized mostly as a defensive specialist in right back, but she is also the type of athlete who can score points on the high school courts for Dallas Center-Grimes.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->