Closer Look at Iowa Teams in USAV 15U Nationals

<!-- 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>The USAV National Tournament for the 15U division tips off this week in Indianapolis. Action in six divisions gets underway on Thursday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa will be well represented at the event. Seven different 15U teams in the state will be competing against other top teams from around the country.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at interesting storylines heading into the final tournament of the club volleyball season: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Iowa United 15-1 Elite Tackles Open Division</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the uninitiated, the Open Division is the hardest one among the seven at the USAV Nationals. Just getting into that field is an accomplishment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At its best, this United outfit can compete at a very high level. In a sense, it will be determining how Iowa's best stacks up against the country's best. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dynamic setter [player_tooltip player_id='754551' first='Zane' last='Ehler'] and powerful six-rotation pin [player_tooltip player_id='754657' first='Cyan' last='Blommer'] give United two high-end college prospects. [player_tooltip player_id='750513' first='Caylee' last='Jensen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='754537' first='Amelia' last='Guinn'] also rank among the state's top players in the 2029 Class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much of this squad competed in the Open Division as 14s last year, so it shouldn't be overwhelmed by the moment. If it performs to its potential, an impressive finish and a lifetime of memories are within reach. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>National Division Includes Six Pack </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A step below the Open Division, the National Division is stacked with really strong teams, too. This year's competition includes a Six Pack squad that finished second to United at the USAV Iowa Regional. And like United, Six Pack is very dangerous when it's connected.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The middle tandem of [player_tooltip player_id='887022' first='Quinn' last='Sweeney'] and [player_tooltip player_id='781517' first='Hadassah' last='Smith'] is the best among 15U teams in the state this season. [player_tooltip player_id='785394' first='Hannah' last='Buhman'] is one of the top setters in Iowa '29 class and [player_tooltip player_id='889843' first='Paige' last='Davis'] is one of its finest six-rotation outside hitters. The same can be said of libero [player_tooltip player_id='776054' first='Espyn' last='Decker']. [player_tooltip player_id='893087' first='Kate' last='Limbaugh'] adds serious firepower at the pin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It will fun watching what Six Pack can do in Indy. It certainly is capable of racing to an exciting finish. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CIA Competes in USA Division </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='429065' first='Club' last='Iowa Juniors'] played above its seed in capturing third place at the USAV Iowa Regional. It ended up with a USA Division bid to this week's national tournament, where it's positioned to produce a strong showing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='769693' first='Stella' last='Zmolek'] is a right-side with big upside. She's skilled enough to play six rotations. [player_tooltip player_id='762921' first='Taylor' last='Kriegel']<a href="https://prepdig.com/player/taylor-kriegel/"></a> rates as a top setter in the state's '29 Class, and [player_tooltip player_id='891599' first='Charlee' last='Kirkpatrick'] is a six-rotation pin packed with potential. Middle hitter [player_tooltip player_id='849088' first='Chloe' last='Degroot'] and [player_tooltip player_id='782418' first='Claire' last='Scherbring'], a libero, are as steady as they come at their respective spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Two Iowa Teams Show Up in American Division </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rockets 15R and RVA 15U Gladden finished fourth and fifth, respectively, at the USAV Iowa Regional. They've since moved up to the American Division at nationals thanks to trickle-down bids. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rocket [player_tooltip player_id='759977' first='Abbey' last='Kirk'] ranks among the top six-rotation outside hitters in Iowa's '29 Class. She teams up with [player_tooltip player_id='789484' first='Avrielle' last='Ohda'] to give the team a powerful 1-2 punch at the pin. Rockets is at its best when receiving contributions from everyone on the roster and playing connected as a group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RVA is another outfit capable of success when all its pieces are working well together. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='959468' first='Harper' last='Markway'] does well in leading the operation, and [player_tooltip player_id='768896' first='Izabella' last='Skinner'] ends points from both pins. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Freedom Division</strong> <strong>Features Iowa Pair</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DBQ County WDVB 15-1 and Centennial CVA 15-1 Kelly&nbsp;are school-based club teams heading to nationals. They'll compete in the Freedom Division after picking up trickle-down bids on the strength of a deep 15U age group in Iowa. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='942755' first='Lauren' last='Walker'] is an intimidating, two-way middle playing up for DBQ County, which also boasts a difference-maker in six-rotation outside [player_tooltip player_id='903703' first='Evelyn' last='Biver']. Centennial boasts its own impactful six-rotation outside hitter in [player_tooltip player_id='878144' first='Kendall' last='Rinehart'], who is playing up. Her teammate, [player_tooltip player_id='959772' first='Kaiah' last='Starr'], is a rising performer in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->