New Names on Our Radar after Iowa Stock Up Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This has to be the best part of any showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you've been following our post-event coverage from the Iowa Stock Up Showcase, you'll know we dedicated yesterday's feature to some <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/07/familiar-stars-shine-at-iowa-stock-up-showcase/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/07/familiar-stars-shine-at-iowa-stock-up-showcase/">returning stars on the Prep Dig Circuit</a>. We enjoyed catching up with some familiar standouts, but these outings accomplish a lot more than that. Let's flip the narrative and talk about first impressions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These Des Moines showcases offer an unparalleled chance to spotlight some new and emerging athletes. And, because I travel to these events as the Nebraska "outsiders," my discovery opportunities expand dramatically. I entered the heart of the Hawkeye State hoping to learn something new.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few gems who nailed that first impression.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["754780"],"_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-6a5fef6ad5add"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Middle blockers are often outnumbered at showcase events, especially when compared to the cascades of pins and liberos eager to compete. That trend didn't seem to deter Fineran, who took full advantage of her extra reps in positional drills and scrimmage work. The Clarion-Goldfield-Dows junior excelled with Six Pack's top 16s squad this spring, logging a Gold bracket run at the Show Me Qualifier. Fineran has also trained in the Iowa High Performance program, further boosting her Class of 2028 stock. Last weekend's Des Moines trip added a few more clips to the highlight tape.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["893729"],"_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-6a5fef6ad5b61"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Iowa Stock Up Showcase featured a flurry of activity on a very busy court of pin hitters. This may be a tough environment to make a strong first impression, but Paulus managed to break through anyway. She was a go-to scorer for Adrenaline 16 Dan, from the team's runner-up finish at Show Me to the summer trip to USAV Nationals. Paulus brings an explosive step-close to the left side, allowing her to get on top of the ball in out-of-system situations. These "scramble skills" usually pay off as players adapt to new teammates at a showcase scrimmage. Paulus took it all in stride.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["940700"],"_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-6a5fe251f1c84"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Foster-Saye brings the kind of athleticism you can't miss. Her big first impression came through positional drills, where Foster-Saye's burst off the floor made an early statement. However, that terminal ability wasn't the only positive aspect of her game. We also got a glimpse of Foster-Saye's exceptional poise in the serve-receive pattern, especially while locking down the middle-back area. The Stanton sophomore is building off a stellar club tenure with SWI3D and will find her place on our Iowa 2029 watch list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1006656"],"_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-6a5fef6ad5be8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Middle blockers are well represented in this one. Hetland was an ever-present torchbearer for the 2029s, demonstrating her vast attacking range during positional drills. These early reps were the prelude to Hetland constant hustle and drive during team competition. Best of all, Hetland's disciplined hands and stable feet yielded positive block touches at the net, allowing many of her teammates to score in transition. The Iowa Stock Up Showcase was full of these instances of athletes lifting each other up and cheering on collective success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["992642"],"_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-6a5fef6ad5c40"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Naturally, we had plenty of newness to explore with the Class of 2030. This group is about to enter our coverage jurisdiction as rising freshmen this fall, but Emick is enjoying a head start in the spotlight. This crafty middle blocker set a high bar for her 2030 peers at Sunday's showcase, packing a ton of heat during hitting lines. Emick also embraced the chance to spar with older competition in our scrimmages. Connecting with a rotating cast of setters can be daunting, but Emick's willingness to grow in this area showed maturity beyond her years. She looks like an athlete eager to join the Iowa PowerPlex gym in 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1006188"],"_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-6a5fef6ad5c99"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're overdue for a check-in with Ohana, which always brings some notable frontcourt gems to the Prep Dig Showcase. Heffernan added to the list through her power and tremendous court vision on the right pin. Aside from her ability to take over matches as a terminator, Heffernan also knows how to read opposing setters and align herself properly as a wing blocker. We were introduced to multiple layers of Heffernan's game as the Stock Up Showcase progressed, and it all came together for some outstanding six-on-six output.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->