More Names to Know from ’26 Mizuno Midwest JVA Challenge

<!-- 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/2026/05/photo-gallery-i-2026-mizuno-midwest-jva-challenge/">Photo Gallery I: 2026 Mizuno Midwest JVA Challenge</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/05/photo-gallery-ii-2026-mizuno-midwest-jva-challenge/">Photo Gallery II: 2026 Mizuno Midwest JVA Challenge</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/05/photo-gallery-iii-2026-mizuno-midwest-jva-challenge/">Photo Gallery III: 2026 Mizuno Midwest JVA Challenge</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/05/best-pictures-from-2026-mizuno-midwest-jva-challenge/">Best Pictures from 2026 Mizuno Midwest JVA Challenge</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/05/recapping-what-i-saw-at-26-mizuno-midwest-jva-challenge/?itm_source=parsely-api">Recapping What I Saw at '26 Mizuno Midwest JVA Challenge</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 Mizuno Midwest JVA Challenge went down during the first weekend of May in Central Iowa. Teams competed at the EMC Expo Center in downtown Des Moines and at the RecPlex in West Des Moines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'd previously written evaluations for a lot of this event's competitors in 2026. I was scouting others for the first time during the club campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This rundown will include players I'd not yet evaluated:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["693879"],"_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-6a026f6bc0d2a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Vaske saw varsity reps for a Clear Creek Amana outfit that reached the Class 4A state tournament semifinals after sitting atop the rankings for much of last season. With the Clippers graduating firepower from their front row, the junior-to-be should compete for more rotation time in 2026 if her performance at the Mizuno Midwest JVA Challenge during the first weekend of May in Central Iowa is any indication. Vaske brought a heavy swing to the opposite pin for an Adrenaline team that finished fifth in the 16U Open Division. She bounces up off the court and generates explosion through the attack. Vaske reads the block well and does a nice job altering her attack location based on what she identifies. The athleticism and agility also serve her well when throwing up the block as do her long arms. Vaske has big breakout potential for the upcoming campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["986910"],"_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-6a027224c7c8f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Steel announced her arrival as a freshman on the Cedar Rapids Jefferson varsity in 2025. The long-armed middle produced 65 kills and a team-high 54.0 blocks, setting the stage for what could be a significant breakout this coming campaign. She sure looked the part when I scouted her in person for the first time at the Mizuno Midwest JVA Challenge during the first weekend of May in Central Iowa. Steel was helping Adrenaline finish fifth in the 16U Open Division while playing up an age group. She's a two-way presence roaming the middle of the net. Steel is a good athlete that jumps well, which pairs well with her timing and feel for the flow of the opposing attack. Her swing can end points already with the potential growth there as strength is added. Steel is one to watch in 2026 and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["952019"],"_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-6a0276360a29d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Reuter played well during the USAV Iowa Regional Tournament in helping the Western Dubuque Volleyball club 15U squad finish sixth. She stood out again during the 2026 Mizuno Midwest JVA Challenge during the first weekend of May in Des Moines. Reuter is an athletic middle that moves well with the action, presenting a formidable option on the attack, finding ways to finish when opportunities present themselves. She jumps well and shares a connection with the setter to optimize those chances. On defense, Reuter throws up an effective block courtesy of explosion off the court, leaping ability and keen timing. Her skills and abilities provide the flexibility to produce at a pin. That could put Reuter in the mix for playing time on the Bobcat varsity this coming season. She's definitely a prospect on which to keep an eye moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["956552"],"_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-6a0276360a2d3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The only freshman listed on the 2025 Western Dubuque sophomore team roster, Hodgson is an up-and-coming prospect in the Bobcat program. She should be given an opportunity to win a spot on the varsity this fall after watching her compete at the 2026 Mizuno Midwest JVA Challenge during the first weekend of May in Des Moines. I'd previously scouted her when WDVB finished sixth at the USAV Iowa Regional Tournament earlier this club season. Hodgson is a steady presence in the back row, taking command of the action and playing well off of her teammates. She flashes quick reflexes, moving well laterally and in a straight line, allowing for maximum court coverage. Hodgson tracks the ball well in serve-receive, getting into proper position for precise passes. Iowa's 2029 Class is stocked with talented back-row prospects, and Hodgson belongs is part of that group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["986928"],"_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-6a02779ec82ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I first scouted Blackburn competing at the 2025 Northern Lights National Qualifier. She impressed and was one whose volleyball development I wanted to track moving forward. She played a bit in the state semifinals for West Des Moines Valley, but it was tough to tell how much progress she'd made. Well, I got an answer when seeing her with PowerPlex at the 2026 Mizuno Midwest JVA Challenge during the first weekend of May in Des Moines. Blackburn had sharpened her overall set of skills and become more powerful. The latter showed up in a heavier swing on the attack and as explosion off of the court whether trying to put the ball down or block it. Athleticism and leaping ability lead to success in the middle of the net. They also would work should she receive reps at the pins. Blackburn is poised for a breakout with the Tigers in the fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->