Digging Into Iowa's Top Uncommitted 2028s - Part I

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   June came in like a lion and did not go out like a lamb. The month that brought us the first direct communication between the 2028 Class and college coaches resulted in a large swath of the group committing programs on the next level. While the frequency has slowed from the initial burst, student-athletes in the recruiting cycle continue to announce their future home. <a href="https://prepdig.com/iowa/rankings/2028-watch-list-2/" id="https://prepdig.com/iowa/rankings/2028-watch-list-2/">We've done our best to keep up</a>.   Although a lot of talented kids are off the board, really good players remain available to colleges. Here's a closer look at some of them:    Prep Dig's second-ranked player overall and No. 1 DS/L in Iowa's 2028 Class remains available to college coaches. Perhaps her recruitment has been slowed down by a sophomore prep season at MOC-Floyd Valley last fall that was wiped out by injury. That said, if you're worried about recovery as a scout, don't be. She <a href="https://sportsrecruits.com/athlete/deviryn_mccarty2" id="https://sportsrecruits.com/athlete/deviryn_mccarty2">proved at a high club level for Kairos Elite this season</a> that the skill and quick-twitch athleticism present before the injury remain. McCarty covers a lot of ground with lateral quickness, long strides and great instincts. She tracks the ball well in serve-receive and knows where to be behind the block against the attack. While McCarty already produces against top competition, there's potential for a lot more through development. She should have prime college options.     Give it up for the back row. If you don't know, you will at some point if it's not secure and reliable. There's no need to find it out the hard way. Hodge is as steady as they come when we're talking liberos in the state of Iowa. She combines the physical traits necessary for success in the back row with excellent instincts. Hodge is rock solid in serve-receive, tracking the ball well and delivering it to the setter with crisp passes. She flows well during the action, reading the opposing attack and moving into positions to make plays. Hodge is a smart volleyball player that communicates with teammates and impacts matches with her intangibles. I'm confident that she'll find a great college home and make that staff look really smart for believing in her.     It's been fun watching Cotton grow her game during the last few years. She's been an important part of the successes of her teams with Assumption, which won the Class 3A state title last season, and Iowa Select, which qualified for the USAV National Tournament this summer. Cotton brings so much value to the court as a prospect that can impact matches in multiple ways. A big vertical and heavy swing make her a problem for opponents at the pin. It's a smart attack that takes advantage of what the defense presents. Her block is improving. Cotton also holds up really well in the back row in getting the ball to the setter off of serve-receive and in lining up against the opposing attack. It's also an effective serve that puts pressure on the other side of the net.     Schluckebier didn't rest on her laurels after experiencing success at a young age, which included taking over a Class 5A program's starting setter duties as a freshman. She's worked hard on improving her skills, expanding her game and becoming a continually improving overall volleyball player. The Iowa City High junior and Rockets floor leader controls the action at the net with precise passes and good decisions. There's consistency and reliability on which attackers can rely and use to get into a rhythm. Schluckebier is a developing attacker with increasing power in the lefty swing to complement a great feel for exposing holes in the middle of the defense with well-placed donut dumps. Her block is getting better as is her proficiency in the back row. She's another kid that will reward a college providing an opportunity.     It feels like just a matter of time before Otte picks up college opportunities in line with her ability and potential. Schools on the next level are showing interest and playing host to her on campus visits. It makes a lot of sense considering her steady and impressive ascent as an impactful two-way middle. Otte was excellent in helping Iowa City West advance to the state tournament for the first time since 2016 last fall. She followed that up with a strong performance against some of the country's top competition with Iowa Premier 16-1 this club campaign. Otte is a powerful attacker that's improving her reads and effectiveness. More consistency is coming with the block, too. She's a good athlete that moves well laterally.

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