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

<!-- 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 III</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='763526' first='Myla' last='Rude'], DS/L, Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rude started as a freshman in 2024 and was integral in Valley's upset of defending Class 5A champion at last year's state meet. She anchors a tight ship in the back row, communicating and covering a lot of real estate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='831281' first='Cora' last='Shaw'], OH, Johnston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One half of the Shaw daily double at Johnston, Cora shares a similar skill set with her sister Lila. The senior led the Dragons in kills a year ago and ranked among the leaders in digs. There's plenty of athleticism, agility and quickness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='730385' first='Allison' last='Ricke'], S, Johnston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a lot of firepower returning, Johnston expects to make some noise in 2026. Ricke is a key member of its contingent after dishing out 745 assists and ranking second among Dragons in digs during 96 sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443086' first='Brynn' last='Cibula'], OH, Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valley pulled off an early shocker at last year's state tournament, knocking out defending champ Pleasant Valley to reach semifinals. Cibula ranked second among Tigers in digs behind Rude and was the leader in kills among this year's returnees.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='987629' first='Ryan' last='Connolly'], OH, Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valley will be replacing its two leaders in kills and three of its top four in that statistic from a year ago. Connolly ranked fifth in the category as a sophomore in 2025 and will asked to do more this season. The skilled outside hitter is ready, willing and able. If you listen carefully, you'll hear the Connolly breakout loading.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='845755' first='Kennedy' last='Klein'], OH, Dowling Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To say Klein experienced a breakout last season would be an understatement. The sophomore ranked among the Dowling Catholic leaders in kills and digs, not an easy task at one of the state's top Class 5A programs. She raised her level of play and became more consistent starring on one of the state's best club teams for her age group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='880642' first='Sidney' last='Bryan'], DS/L, Dowling Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bryan was a revelation in the back row for Dowling Catholic in 2025. The freshman libero started all 30 matches for a state tournament team. She looked rock solid in her first appearance on that big stage. Bryan took another step forward as a player for PowerPlex during the club campaign and will be key if the Maroons reach their potential as a title contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='555797' first='Marlee' last='Ellison'], OH, Ankeny</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What started out the season as a young, inexperienced Ankeny outfit turned into a state semifinalist thanks in large part to Ellison's efforts. The six-rotation outside hitter led the Hawks in kills and ranked second in digs, an impressive feat at this level of volleyball. Expect another great effort in 2026 from Ellison, a high-energy player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992194' first='Quinn' last='Roush'], MH, Ankeny</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a saying in basketball warning folks not to come in the middle if a shot blocker resides there. It's the same concept in volleyball, where Roush intimidates Ankeny opponents trying to access that part of the net for their attack. The junior blocked 125.0 attempts last season, the most in Class 5A. Enter the middle at your own risk.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='812248' first='Cassidy' last='Danburg'], MH, Waukee Northwest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Often overlooked on a roster loaded with college prospects, Danburg's defense in the middle of the net is dominating. Her 91.0 blocks ranked fifth in Class 5A last season. When given the opportunity to put the ball down, Danburg did so with an efficiency above .250. She's an excellent athlete as evidenced by her standing out for a Northwest hoops team that reached the state title game this past winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->