Back-Row Ballers at USAV 14U Junior Nationals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/07/mighty-middle-hitters-from-usav-14u-nationals/">Mighty Middle Hitters from USAV 14U Nationals</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/07/14u-setters-shine-at-usav-junior-nationals/" id="https://prepdig.com/2026/07/14u-setters-shine-at-usav-junior-nationals/">14U Setters Shine at USAV Junior Nationals</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much of the club volleyball coverage at Prep Dig Iowa is geared toward the 15U-17U divisions. Most of these kids already are in high school. Their recruiting processes are underway in various stages. Now that we're at the end of the season, however, it's a good time to check in on the 14Us, many of whom will be freshmen in a few months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I did just that last week at the USAV Junior National Tournament in Indianapolis. The age group impressed and foreshadowed what should be strong contributions to the prep scene in 2026 and beyond. It seemed fitting to highlight those student-athletes and a good idea to break them down positionally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at liberos that performed well on the sport's biggest stage:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["877524"],"_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-6a47e5b4c0c5e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When Select 14s won the Iowa Regional, I figured the libero could play. It's confirmed after watching the team compete at the USAV Junior Nationals. Needham combines natural ability with advanced skills for her age into being one of the top back-rowers in this division. She understands what's needed from her in playing the position and flows well with the action. Quick reads lead her into proper positions to make plays. Quick reactions translate into crisp passes. An impactful prep career is loading.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1003008"],"_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-6a47e733d32ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Like Select, Six Pack does well in developing players in the back row. During the USAV Junior Nationals, Larson performed like a volleyballer with a bright future. She held it down defensively and looked sharp in serve-receive. Larson moves well laterally and in a straight line, helping her cover a lot of court. She tracks serves well and glides with the action into spots where she can come up with a lot of passes others don't reach. Larson is connected with her teammates, constantly communicating and sharing information.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1003009"],"_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-6a47e733d3366"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Denver volleyball has won the Class 2A state championship in back to back seasons. The Cyclones graduated plenty of production after last season but tend to reload rather than rebuild. Watching Murch operate at the USAV Junior Nationals with CIA 14s provided evidence that the train can keep rolling. She held her own playing up an age group with the look of an athlete on an ideal trajectory. Her older sister already established on the varsity, Murch should receive important reps as an eighth-grader working with the program's top coaches and student-athletes. Early contributions to the high school team seem highly likely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1003012"],"_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-6a47e81bae3c9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rockets 14s finished second at the Iowa Regional and competed in the National Division at the USAV Junior Nationals. A case could be made that defense keyed what was a very memorable season. Olerich contributed greatly to that cause. She stands out for lateral quickness and fast reaction time. Strong fundamentals result in consistency. Olerich reads the opposing attack and serves well. A smooth flow with match action on each point helps her get stationed to cover. Like Rockets, Clear Creek Amana does well in developing its back row, and early production from Olerich would not all be surprising at all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1003013"],"_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-6a47e81bae42f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">United 14s qualified for the USAV Junior Nationals on the back of a talented roster with notable individuals at key positions. Scheetz played consistently well while wearing the jersey. Her work in turning serves and opposing attacks into usable passes allowed United to regularly swing away with its strong collection of attackers. Scheetz tracks serves well in receiving. She's quick moving side to side. A good communicator, Scheetz shares what she's seeing with teammates, helps get everybody lined up properly and makes sure they're aware of their responsibilities. She has a good chance to play early at Holy Trinity, one of the state's top small-school programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->