Prep Preview ’26: CIML Players to Watch – Part II

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We made it to dead week, the 2025-26 high school sports year ending with last week's softball and baseball state tournaments. That means the next time we convene, a new year will be kicking off. It also means another exciting volleyball season is upon us. Teams will be working hard throughout the first part of August preparing for competition later in the month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Dig Iowa will get you ready for the new campaign with content leading up the first point. Here's a closer look at players to watch in the state's top big-school conference, the Central Iowa Metro League: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Part II</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493601' first='Piper' last='Ladwig'], RS/OH, Waukee Northwest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ladwig has been a presence on the state's volleyball scene for years, helping Waukee Northwest win a pair of state titles in the last three seasons. The Iowa State commitment is a hammer and an intimidating blocker at the opposite pin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='747361' first='Sidney' last='Rogers'], MH, Ankeny Centennial</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rogers should see her role increase for Ankeny Centennial this fall after graduation losses. The Winona State pledge is ready to accept the challenge after another club season of high level competition with PowerPlex.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='545971' first='Avery' last='Cordes'], RS/MH, Waukee Northwest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since standing out as a freshman during Waukee Northwest's run to the state championship match in 2024, Cordes has impacted the proceedings from multiple positions. The Duke commitment is a coveted combination of explosiveness and skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='730098' first='Caroline' last='Crane'], RS, Dowling Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crane is a prototypical lefty power player at the opposite pin, ending points with authority and throwing up an effective block. She was a consistent contributor for Dowling Catholic last season and a bigger breakout likely is loading. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='555820' first='London' last='Taylor'], DS/L, Waukee Northwest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor has been wearing the jersey for Waukee Northwest's runs to the last two state title matches, including last year's championship. The Central Arkansas pledge covers a lot of territory as a great athlete and smart volleyballer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732859' first='Elle' last='Isaacson'], OH, Ankeny</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A player who's seen her stock rise steadily during the last year, Isaacson's hard work paid off with a Drake commitment this summer. That came on the heels of a dominant club campaign after a breakout for Ankeny last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763850' first='Gianna' last='Stanfel'], RS, Dowling Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stanfel joins Crane to give Dowling Catholic an embarrassment of riches on the right side of the net. The junior committed to Western Michigan this summer following a super season with Powerplex. She's ready for a powerful prep campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='498069' first='Kaelyn' last='Rinehart'], DS/L, Ankeny Centennial</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rinehart enjoyed a dominant season playing for Iowa United Timmerman during the club campaign. After contributing all around the court during Centennial's first-ever march to the state title match last year, Rinehart is poised to take over as the libero.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/player/allie-ruddy/">[player_tooltip player_id='498752' first='Allie' last='Ruddy']</a>, DS/L, Waukee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After picking up more than 200 digs as a freshman in Waukee's state tournament team of 2024, Ruddy was even better in the back row with almost 400 last fall. Her club performance backed up odds of another step forward for the Warriors in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815861' first='Lila' last='Shaw'], OH, Johnston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shaw shined as a six-rotation outside as a Johnston junior in 2025. She produced 221 kills in 95 sets with 191 digs and 31.0 blocks. The Dragons will be leaning heavily on her again this season in trying to rebound from a down year by program standards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->