Mighty Middle Hitters from USAV 14U 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>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 middle hitters 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":["1000095"],"_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-6a45653a2bc4d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Iowa Juniors club out of Ankeny is one on which to keep an eye. I was impressed watching its 14U team compete at the USAV Nationals. Several prospects stood out as having intriguing potential. Rock was certainly among the group. In fact, she's was one of the best middle hitters in the age group that I watched in Indianapolis. She's tall with long arms and athleticism. Rock explodes off the court with bounce and brings the hammer with a heavy swing. Defensively, she's an imposing presence in the middle of the net. Tracking the ball well, timing the attack and throwing up an effective block is a regular occurrence. I'm not sure she'll crack the varsity lineup for a stacked Ankeny program this fall, but Rock is without question a prospect to closely monitor moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["877691"],"_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-6a456ac2e778c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Peterson is a prospect poised to leave her mark on the state volleyball scene. The incoming Assumption middle hitter was a key member of the Iowa Select 14U team that won the USAV Iowa Regional and performed well at the national tournament. Peterson stands out for her athleticism, leaping ability and long arms. They're coveted traits in the middle of the net. She flows well with the action and puts herself in position to make plays, whether that be putting the ball down with authority and denying the opposing attack. Peterson boasts a desirable combination for colleges of current success with a high ceiling. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["878889"],"_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-6a456cfe79fa6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Keeping with the theme of 14U middle hitters at the 2026 USAV Nationals with big-time upside, Ellard is an imposing figure for players her age. The Clear Creek Amana freshman is more than a tall kid lining up in the center of the net. Athleticism and explosion created a large obstacle for United opponents. Ellard rises well above the net, gets on top of the ball and finds holes in the defense to put it down. Keen timing helps her maximize her swings and throw up blocks that alter a lot of shots she doesn't reach. CCA has a history of success with developing players at this position, and Ellard looks like another potential success story.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["993649"],"_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-6a456ea95aceb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Roling casts a large shadow in the middle of the net which opponents find difficult to conquer. The Wahlert and Rocket middle hitter is tall with long arms. She moves well laterally and can get up off the ground. Roling is technically sound when it comes to putting a block up. The power for her age is notable. It's a heavy swing that can blow by or rip through the opposing block. Roling flows well with the action of the play and gets into proper position to deliver. The Rockets enjoyed a strong season with her playing a big role, and the Golden Eagles could benefit from her contributions as a freshman this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["965637"],"_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-6a457092a07e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Herrmann is listed at 5-foot-8 in our Prep Dig date base. One, she looks taller than that in person. And two, her long arms help her play plenty tall enough against her age group. Herrmann showed that time and time again while watching her at the USAV Nationals in Indianapolis. She really gets up off of the ground, hangs in the air and generates plenty of power swinging through the ball. Herrmann displays a good feel for getting into the right position to make the block and times it well. Agility helps Herrmann easily adjust to sets that might be a little off target. Six Pack and Denver enjoy a proud history of excellent player development, and Herrmann looks like another impactful prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->