Rounding Up Day 1 at Prep Dig Gauntlet

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. - </strong>The Prep Dig Gauntlet tipped off Saturday here at the Milwaukee Sting Volleyball Center. I hopped around the courts, checking out Iowa teams going up against great competition.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's what I saw throughout the day:&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-I started out with Iowa Select 16 Mizuno taking on Northern Lights 16-1. The match went three sets with Northern Lights prevailing, 23-25, 25-20, 15-10, in a hotly contested match.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Select received the usual strong play from libero [player_tooltip player_id='742600' first='Piper' last='Hodge'] and six-rotation outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='694203' first='Belle' last='Cotton']. [player_tooltip player_id='946877' first='Natalie' last='DePoorter'] continued her ascent as a setter to watch with her height and long arms. She's made a lot of progress this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've written about the potential of [player_tooltip player_id='771625' first='Chloe' last='Wilkin'] this year. The junior-to-be showed out again in this environment. [player_tooltip player_id='783286' first='Taylor' last='Evans'] and [player_tooltip player_id='813413' first='Falyn' last='Mussmann'] have provided Select with two-way contributors in the middle of the net all year, and Saturday was no different.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='774499' first='Kennedy' last='Livengood'] has experienced a lot of growth in 2026. She looked strong operating through six rotations on Saturday. Defensive specialist Lola Wainwright rose to the challenge in this one.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-After checking out Select 16s, I strolled over to see [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] 16R and Iowa PowerPlex 16 Nelson compete against out-of-state squads on adjacent courts.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I hadn't seen 16R since earlier in the season. I watched it take Milwaukee Sting White to three sets here.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a team with high-end talent in setter/right-side hitter [player_tooltip player_id='730426' first='Hazel' last='Schluckebier'] and middle hitter [player_tooltip player_id='730449' first='Kylee' last='Suhr']. Charleigh Witford is a consistently-good, six-rotation outside hitter, and [player_tooltip player_id='773976' first='Rachel' last='McCaulley'] gives opponents no relief in the middle of the net when Suhr rotates out.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='751549' first='Katherine' last='Barickman']'s keen setting allows Schluckebier to move to the opposite pin in the 6-2. [player_tooltip player_id='760844' first='Maryn' last='Sherman'] is one of the most improved players I've watched develop this season. [player_tooltip player_id='759979' first='Julianna' last='Montez'] is sound in the back row, and [player_tooltip player_id='547963' first='Grace' last='Kremer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='891576' first='Julia' last='Settles'] are versatile performers that contribute in multiple areas.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was my third time seeing Plex 16 Nelson during the last month and a half. The team continued gelling together a roster loaded with talented individuals.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='763850' first='Gianna' last='Stanfel'] is a right-side hitter with bad intentions, hammering a heavy swing. [player_tooltip player_id='763901' first='Berkley' last='Weiland'] is a really complete setter with the ability to end points when sliding to the opposite pin. [player_tooltip player_id='732859' first='Elle' last='Isaacson']'s progression as a six-rotation outside hitter is notable.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle hitters [player_tooltip player_id='546566' first='Tabitha' last='Molden'] and [player_tooltip player_id='893276' first='Gabby' last='Timmermans'] impact matches with their swings and when throwing up intimidating blocks. [player_tooltip player_id='730392' first='Aylin' last='Adamson'] is an outside hitter that keeps getting better each time I scout her matches.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='729146' first='Anna' last='Jackson'] ranks among the best back-row players in the state, giving Plex a component that covers a lot of court. Defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='775051' first='Ingrid' last='Secory'] makes it that much harder on opponents to put it down against this squad.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='730468' first='Lyla' last='Nelson'] is a well-rounded setter that runs a tight operation when she enters and Weiland lines up on the right side. The super versatile [player_tooltip player_id='730423' first='Harper' last='Rus'], who would be a star on the a lot of teams, delivers valuable contributions wherever she's needed here.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-I wrapped up my morning wave watching Iowa Premier 16-1 overwhelm a really good Milwaukee Sting Gold outfit, 25-23, 25-16, to go 3-0 in Elite Division pool play. The regional champs and USAV Nationals Open Division qualifier pulled out the first set and then stepped on the gas in Set 2.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='560368' first='Elle' last='Hatlevig'] hammered away and dug up tough attacks in shining through six rotations. The Norwalk junior-to-be bolted out of the gym after the match, heading to UCLA on a recruiting trip.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='545946' first='Addison' last='Waldorf'] makes setting look easy, which it is most certainly not. Tall with long arms, the Humboldt junior-to-be completes all of the tasks at the position on a high level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='545971' first='Avery' last='Cordes'] can take over a match from all three front-row positions. A college would do well to get her on the bus and figure out where to play her later. That versatility is very valuable.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='730419' first='Hailey' last='Wiederin'] also is effective at both pins. The Ankeny product hits outside for Premier 16-1 and does so with power in her swing. With her long arms and frame, there's a whole lot of potential here.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='702737' first='Alena' last='Schaack'] and [player_tooltip player_id='533845' first='Taylor' last='Otte'] challenge opponents as a 1-2 punch in the middle of the net. They can put it down and knock it back with a mighty block. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Libero [player_tooltip player_id='809159' first='Reese' last='Heim'] is consistently good, communicating well and covering a lot of ground. She's complemented well by defensive specialist [player_tooltip player_id='540833' first='Izzie' last='McDonald']. [player_tooltip player_id='991341' first='Madison' last='Messerly'] adds quality front row depth to Premier 16-1.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->