Prep Preview ’26: MVC 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><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-i/">Prep Preview '26: MVC Players to Watch – Part I</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/08/prep-preview-26-mvc-players-to-watch-part-ii/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/08/prep-preview-26-mvc-players-to-watch-part-ii/">Prep Preview '26: MVC Players to Watch – Part II</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a little more than a 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 Mississippi Valley Conference:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='555736' first='Lila' last='Eastvold'], S, Iowa City West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Iowa Girls Coaches Association named Eastvold to its all-state third team last season when she dished out 895 assists in helping Iowa City West return to the state tournament for the first time since 2016. She proved sound in serve-receive and in defending the back row as evidenced by her 178 digs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='273001' first='Ellie' last='Wilson'], OH, Iowa City Liberty</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson is one of the steadiest volleyball players around. She's worked hard to create consistency in her game, coaches knowing production will come from all around the court. Wilson paced Liberty in kills last season and ranked third in digs. The senior is poised for a big final prep campaign and will be a vital part of the Lightning push to get back to state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='828243' first='Heather' last='Hingst'], MH, Cedar Rapids Prairie </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hingst's 122.0 blocks paced the MVC last season. The second-team all-conference selection added 120 kills (.235) in her 102 sets. She took a step forward with her game during the recent club campaign. A new Prairie Hawk coaching staff will lean heavily on hinst this season, and the senior is up to the task. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='945174' first='Sage' last='Teagle'], OH, Xavier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Xavier experienced growing pains with a younger lineup last season. That should pay off for the Saints in 2026 with the likes of Teagle returning to the fold. The freshman stepped in as a six-rotation outside a year ago. She led all returnees in kills and ranked second in digs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='823131' first='Caroline' last='Freed'], MH, Wahlert </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During a season that ended with a heartbreaking, five-set loss to Wilton in the regional semifinals, Wahlert recorded impressive victories. The Golden Eagles will look to make noise again on the backs of a solid foundation of returnees. Freed is among the most impactful after ranking second in the MVC with 89.0 blocks last fall. She added 142 kills. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='845571' first='Hayden' last='Freiburger'], S, Hempstead</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The MVC coaches named Freiburger to their all-conference second team last season, when the junior collected 593 assists for Hempstead. A skilled setter, Freiburger also does a nice job in the back row. The Mustangs will need more from her in all areas of the game this fall, and the senior is ready to deliver. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='849582' first='Ava' last='Frank'], DS/L, Linn-Mar</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frank was recognized as a second-team all-MVC pick in 2025, when the junior came up with a team-best 362 digs for Linn-Mar. The total ranked as the sixth most in the league. The Lions will be pushing to climb the ladder in the conference this fall. They'll need even more from Frank to do it. Expect a step forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->