Prep Preview ’26: Missouri River 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><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/07/prep-preview-26-ciml-players-to-watch-part-iii/">Prep Preview '26: CIML Players to Watch</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/08/prep-preview-26-mac-players-to-watch-part-iii/">Prep Preview '26: MAC Players to Watch</a>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/08/prep-preview-26-mvc-players-to-watch-part-iv/">Prep Preview '26: MVC Players to Watch</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/08/prep-preview-26-missouri-river-players-to-watch-part-i/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/08/prep-preview-26-missouri-river-players-to-watch-part-i/">Prep Preview '26: Missouri River Players to Watch – Part I</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In one week, there will be real high school volleyball matches that count. I know. It's a redundant sentence. It seems necessary to convey the annual surprise that another season is upon us, however.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We received a peek at teams competing in the&nbsp;<a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/08/stock-risers-from-prep-dig-iowa-sizzle-2026/">Prep Dig Iowa Sizzle</a>. They and others around state have committed to improvement in pursuit of realizing dreams in November.</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 one of the state's top leagues, the Missouri River Conference:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='893210' first='Laila' last='Mentzer'], OH, Sioux City East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Missouri River Conference boasted a talented collection of freshmen in 2025. The group should be that much better heading into Year 2 of high school, and that might mean big production from Mentzer. She ranked seventh in the league with 169 kills in 81 sets. Her 218 digs were the third most on Sioux City East.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1020273' first='Maggie' last='Vaandrager'], RS, Bishop Heelan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vaandrager generated the third most blocks among Crusaders in 2025 and ranked fourth in kills. That great production from a sophomore at the opposite pin on a roster with player-makers at the other positions is valuable. She will be asked to contribute more as a junior, and Vaandrager is ready for the challenge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493655' first='ZaRyiah' last='Van Buren'], RS, Sioux City North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A difference-maker on the right side represents an important piece to completing the puzzle of successful volleyball. Sioux City North had that in Van Buren last year. The junior earned second-team all-conference honors in 2025. Her 159 kills ranked ninth in the Missouri River. Van Buren collected 153 digs, the third most among Stars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='834093' first='Kenleigh' last='Panowicz'], OH, Sergeant Bluff-Luton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Missouri River coaches named Panowicz as an honorable mention all-conference pick last season, when the junior helped Sergeant Bluff-Luton back to the state tournament. She ranked among the Warrior leaders in kills and digs. Panowicz should take on an even bigger role in 2026. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1020274' first='Savannah' last='Mohling'], DS/L, Council Bluffs Lincoln</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mohling was tabbed as an honorable mentioned all-conference pick as a Council Bluffs Lincoln sophomore in 2025. Her 254 digs were the sixth most in the league. She was credited with 39 assists, showing she could set up the attack off the two-ball. Mohling will be one of the better back-rowers in the Missouri River this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='815294' first='Kenzie' last='Niehus'], MH, Le Mars</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Niehus led Le Mars in blocks and ranked third in kills as a junior last season. The middle hitter was named an honorable mention all-conference pick by the league coaches after that effort. Graduation losses will require Niehus to produce more for the Bulldog as a senior in 2026, and she'll be ready to answer the call.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='831963' first='Emma' last='Moody'], S, Bishop Heelan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moody likely will share setting duties with Charlotte Patee as was the case last season, when the duo combined for more than 800 assists and 250 digs. Moody is an excellent athlete that earned all-conference recognition this summer as a catcher on the Crusader softball team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->