Prep Preview ’26: MVC Players to Watch – Part I

<!-- 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/" data-type="link" data-id="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>In two weeks, 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 Mississippi Valley Conference:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='360642' first='Sophia' last='Austen'], OH, Iowa City West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the state's best players, Austen led West back to the state tournament last year for the first time since 2016. She was named to the coaches association's Class 5A all-state first-team after standing out through six rotations. The Iowa State commitment wants to end her prep career with a state title, and the Trojans return their high-end rotation from a year ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493658' first='Hattie' last='Galloway'], MH, Iowa City High</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Galloway put together a 2025 prep season that catapulted her into a club campaign. Another level during club ball led to a Milwaukee commitment. The coaches tabbed her Class 5A second-team all-state as a dominant two-way presence in the middle of the net. The Little Hawk senior has expanded her game since then and will be asked to do more this year. She's ready.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='316419' first='Edie' last='Miller'], DS/L, Iowa City Liberty</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best in the back row among Iowa preps, Miller will take her talents to Dayton next season. First, she'll try to help Liberty reach the state tournament for the first time in her career. The Lightning have a hungry, veteran core itching to help the Class 5A second-team all-stater get their as a group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='495803' first='Ava' last='Jones'], OH, Waterloo West </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones is among the more talented uncommitted Iowa seniors. She could help plenty of college rosters with her all-around skill set and athleticism. Jones brings a big swing off of an impressive vertical leap. She has made great strides with her play in the back row and defending at the net. Jones was third-team all-state in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='389853' first='Kennedy' last='Krecklow'], OH, Cedar Falls</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The coaches recognized Krecklow as a third-team all-stater last year, when she led Cedar Falls in kills with 347 (.310) and ranked second in digs as a junior. The Tiger veteran contributes at a high level through six rotations. She's fundamentally sound and competes hard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='555717' first='Kaycee' last='Cory'], S/RS, Cedar Rapids Kennedy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cory is a unique and talented volleyball player. An all-district pick as a Cedar Rapids Kennedy junior last fall, the tall, long-armed junior ranked second on the team in kills, blocks and assists, while checking in third in digs. Cory impacts matches everywhere you look, making her a tough player to neutralize. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493984' first='Kyla' last='Ramler'], MH/OH/RS, Western Dubuque</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ramler racked up a team-best 358 kills (.369) and 64.0 blocks in 95 sets last season. The Western Dubuque standout has shined at all three front row positions during her prep and club careers. She does so with explosiveness and power in her game. Illinois State was thrilled to pick up her commitment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->