Names to Know from Iowa Stock Up Showcase

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   CLIVE, Iowa - Prep Dig held its Stock Up Showcase Sunday here at the Horizons Event Center. Student-athletes from the 2027-30 Classes competed in drills and scrimmages.   While many of the players in attendance were familiar names, others I was scouting in person for the first time. Here are some of the ones that stood out:    In the absence of its star player for much of last fall, Schroeder stepped up for Durant. The sophomore generated 109 kills in 68 sets and ranked second on the team with 214 digs. She showed that broad-based volleyball skill set at the Prep Dig Iowa Stock Up Showcase during July in Clive. That performance came on the heels of a season of progress for [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets']. Schroeder is a smart volleyballer that takes advantage of what the opposition gives her. She hits well to openings in the court or off of blocks based on smart reads. Schroeder is agile and moves sharply in the back row with a good feel for passing. She's also sound in serve-receive. A breakout junior season could very well be loading in Durant.     When we see a varsity roster consistently loaded with next-level talent, that means new promising prospects are brewing below the surface on the program's non-varsity teams. Hetland fits that description based on what we saw from her at the Prep Dig Iowa Stock Up Showcase during July in Clive. It backed up what she showed along the club circuit with Ohana this past season. It's a well-rounded set of skills in the middle of the net. She has a good idea of what she wants to do on the attack and is efficient in doing so. Hetland flashes a keen feel for throwing up an effective block. It's a name for Iowa volleyball fans to file away as a future breakout player.     Brunkhorst is a player with whom I became familiar on the club circuit last year. She then spent the fall developing in one of the state's top programs at Dowling Catholic. You could see the gains again this past club campaign and they shined through more still at the Prep Dig Iowa Stock Up Showcase during July in Clive. Brunkhorst is a punishing right-side hitter, a position the Maroons churn out for colleges as well as anybody in Iowa. The sophomore looks like the next one in line even if the varsity opportunities will be tough to find in 2026 with who is returning, although she also could help in the middle. Brunkhost already generates excellent power for her age and her block also is advanced for grade. She's a prospect in the rise.     I've scouted Walker in person multiple times throughout the last few years on the club circuit. She showed out during those viewings and did so again at the Prep Dig Iowa Stock Up Showcase in July at Clive's Horizons Center. Walker is an excellent athlete capable of ending points from either pin thanks to impressive leaping ability and a powerful swing. Her block has been improving with signs that more growth there is possible. Walker can hold her own in the back row thanks to lateral quickness and sharp reflexes. Playing time could be tough to find this upcoming season, but Walker has the ability to break through when given an opportunity.     The Prep Dig Iowa Stock Up Showcase was my first opportunity to watch Somers compete in person. Living in Eastern Iowa, Oakland and Council Bluffs are not up the road. So, it was awesome to see the SWI 3rd Degree and Riverside product in person. Somers impressed with her versatility as a middle hitter with the athleticism and agility to produce at the opposite pin, too. I would not put it past her to succeed on the outside as well. Somers has height and long arms with a volleyball operation that's quick and efficient. She puts the ball down to open zones on the court and can power through the block. Conversely, her block is tough to attack.

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