High-Ceiling Prospects in PD Iowa ’28 Update

<!-- 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><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/08/pd-iowa-team-rankings-class-5a-preseason-super-16/">PD Iowa Team Rankings: Class 5A Preseason Super 16</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/08/pd-iowa-team-rankings-class-4a-preseason-super-16/">PD Iowa Team Rankings: Class 4A Preseason Super 16</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/08/up-arrow-prospects-in-pd-iowa-28-rankings-update/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/08/up-arrow-prospects-in-pd-iowa-28-rankings-update/">Up-Arrow Prospects in PD Iowa '28 Rankings Update</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Dig Iowa continues working its way through another round of player rankings. You can check out the updated look at the Class of 2027&nbsp;<a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/08/insight-into-prep-dig-iowa-class-of-27-rankings-update/"><strong>HERE</strong></a>. Related content can be found&nbsp;<a href="https://prepdig.com/author/rob-howe-author/"><strong>HERE</strong></a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class of 2028 is up next for discussion. One scan through the&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/iowa/rankings/2028-watch-list-2/">UPDATED RANKINGS</a></strong>&nbsp;reveals a whole lot of talent and depth. It's also a group that has two years of high school ball to get better, which is exciting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An important part of the rankings is weighing present ability with future potential. It's a difficult balance but an important one. I tend to value upside but also believe in the significance of achievement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For this piece, I'm going to take a look at student-athletes that have great growth potential in this game moving forward: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["763901"],"_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-6a905fc650729"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've written a lot about Weiland during the last 18 months or so. That's because she's a prospect packed with potential, one that continues to improve from a skill and technical standpoint. A naturally gifted athlete at the setter position, the Southeast Polk junior helped her PowerPlex squad reach the USAV Nationals during the summer. Watching her multiple times on the circuit, you can see the high ceiling with her height and long arms allowing her to impact matches in multiple ways. The sets are consistently on point thanks to a tight bond with hitters and knowing where they like the ball. She can terminate points with a swing that's adding power by the day. Long arms help throw up a strong block and athleticism helps in serve-receive and digging up the attack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["746258"],"_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-6a90622531295"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Goodell looks improved each time I get to scout her in person. That was the case from last club season to when she helped Humboldt to the state championship match last fall to her playing up with a Six Pack team that qualified for the USAV Nationals this summer. Then, she'd taken another step forward at the Prep Dig Sizzle earlier this month. Goodell isn't the tallest prospect in the middle of the net, but she brings a ton of athleticism and explosion to the spot. The Wildcat junior shows great bounce off the court, can quick jump and has an attack that's continuing to add power. Timing and a good feel for match flow puts her in position to throw up an effective block with potential for more in that area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["730449"],"_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-6a906488cb705"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Suhr is another player that's steadily improved throughout the last few years and is performing at a very high level right now. While that's notable, it's even more exciting knowing that there's potential for quite a bit more growth. The Williamsburg standout benefits from long arms and the ability to get up off the court quickly, an underrated aspect of being a successful two-way player at the net. Suhr can attack with force and rises up well above the net to get on top of the ball. She reads the opposing block well and exploits holes in the defense. Tracking the attack on the other side of the net well leads to her being positioned for blocks. A good athlete, Suhr is versatile enough to find success at the pins, too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["769693"],"_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-6a9065ce2a393"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Zmolek has been a key cog on a CIA squad in her age group that has stood out among the best in the state for multiple years. It started with her developing into an impactful opposite pin, one of the toughest positions to distinguish oneself. After doing that, Zmolek worked on her all-around game and ended up standing out through six rotations for a club team that reached the USAV Nationals this summer and was among the most successful in Iowa once it arrived there. She's tall with long arms and athleticism. Those are the ingredients of a prospect ascending towards a high ceiling. Zmolek should be receiving more attention from colleges.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["767740"],"_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-6a9068813da04"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">De Jager impressed me while watching her compete at the state tournament last season. It was good getting another chance to watch her in action at the recent Prep Dig Stock Up Showcase in Clive. She's a technically-sound, all-around volleyball player getting better at each aspect of the game. I noticed added power in the game this summer. There's a chance for that to keep developing with a frame capable of adding strength. De Jager is a good athlete with quick reactions that help her defend in the back row and get up on the block. A big vertical and whip in the swing make her a productive attacker. De Jager's ceiling is high. Her work ethic is designed to help her reach it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->