Going Gauntlet Team Preview – Iowa Select 16 Mizuno

<!-- 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></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm looking forward to checking out my first Prep Dig Gauntlet June 6-7 in suburban Milwaukee. Nine Iowa teams across the 15-17 age groups will be representing the state at the competitive, pre-USAV Nationals event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've been fortunate enough to have seen seven of the nine teams in person. One of the ones I did not catch, Iowa Premier 16-1,&nbsp;<a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/05/going-gauntlet-iowa-premier-16-1-claims-open-bid/?itm_source=parsely-api">was written about by Prep Dig's Chris Fitzgerald</a>&nbsp;in our "Going Gauntlet" series leading up to the show.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'll be putting together previews for the rest of our state's teams. Here's a look at&nbsp;Iowa Select 16 Mizuno, a team with a roster I've watched several times this season and has a roster with which I'm pretty familiar. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I first caught Iowa Select 16 Mizuno this season when it was competing at the Nike President's Day Classic in St. Louis. The squad flashed plenty of potential competing against a strong field in the Open Division. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Select continued coming together throughout the campaign. A third-place finish at the USAV Iowa Regional secured an American Division bid for this summer's Nationals in Indianapolis. A National Division bid that trickled back to the region with Premier hopping up to Open has since gone to Select.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team benefits greatly from boasting one of the state's best in the back row. [player_tooltip player_id='742600' first='Piper' last='Hodge'] is coming off of a tremendous sophomore season with 448 digs and 79 assists in helping Assumption win the Class 3A State Championship. She combines a lot of physical ability will excellent volleyball instincts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='694203' first='Belle' last='Cotton'] also played a starring role in the Knights winning the crown. The six-rotation stalwart contributed 248 kills (.255) and 249 digs to the cause. She's continued improving all aspects of her game this club season, setting up would could be a giant junior year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='946877' first='Natalie' last='DePoorter'] is a third Assumption product on Select 16 Mizuno. The long-armed setter is one of my top breakout prospects during this club season and is ready to break out in school ball in the fall. She has a sizable ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='783286' first='Taylor' last='Evans'] ranks up there with DePoorter as a player on the rise. The 6-foot-3 middle hitter from Prince of Peace has a solid foundation on which to build after producing 145 kills, 46.0 blocks and 119 digs as a sophomore in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northeast's [player_tooltip player_id='750391' first='Amber' last='Mullin']<a href="https://prepdig.com/player/amber-mullin/"></a>&nbsp;and [player_tooltip player_id='813413' first='Falyn' last='Mussmann']<a href="https://prepdig.com/player/falyn-mussmann/"></a>&nbsp;from Davenport Central have built on strong 10th-grade seasons with Select. Mullin, who can play at a pin or in the middle, had 139 kills and 23.0 blocks last fall. Mussmann, also a versatile presence in the front row, contributed 29.0 blocks and 62 kills to the Wildcat cause. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Illinois products impact the action for Select. Fulton's&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='771625' first='Chloe' last='Wilkin'], Milledgeville's [player_tooltip player_id='774499' first='Kennedy' last='Livengood'] and Lola Wainwright from Port Byron Riverdale High each brings a little something different to the fray. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 55 sets, Wilkin averaged 2.5 kills last fall after averaging 2.6 as a freshman in 2024, hitting over .200 both years. Her 38.0 blocks highlight her talents as a two-way contributor, which she's continued for Select.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Livengood, who averaged 3.6 kills and totaled 31.0 bocks in 77 sets, brings versatility to the court as evidenced by her 222 digs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lola Wainwright, who put up 5.7 assists in 89 sets and came up with 134 digs as Riverdale's starting setter, provides Select with depth at the position and also someone that can help out in other ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->