Previewing Prep Dig Iowa Sizzle 2026

<!-- 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>The high school volleyball campaign is quickly approaching. A key preseason event in Coralville this week is a sure sign of that being the case. Prep Dig Iowa will be holding its third annual Sizzle at Xtream Arena on Tuesday and Wednesday, matching up teams hoping its the start of a journey leading them back here for the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can check out the schedule <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ELIVlnVcuwi4WTfVWFfE5b4srwbHFU2ueGLE6gRUTsA/edit?gid=815085116#gid=815085116" data-type="link" data-id="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ELIVlnVcuwi4WTfVWFfE5b4srwbHFU2ueGLE6gRUTsA/edit?gid=815085116#gid=815085116">HERE</a>. Below is a closer look at what I'm interested in seeing from the participants: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Assumption will be the lone 2025 state champion in this year's Sizzle field. The Knights will be replacing plenty of firepower lost to graduation, especially all-staters and Division I signees Ellah Derrer and Carsyn Kelley. They bring back prime performers in [player_tooltip player_id='694203' first='Belle' last='Cotton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='742600' first='Piper' last='Hodge'], but will need youngsters like [player_tooltip player_id='946877' first='Natalie' last='DePoorter'], [player_tooltip player_id='939100' first='Ruby' last='Stevens'] and others to excel in larger roles.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Pleasant Valley reached the state tournament a year ago after winning the Class 5A state title in 2024. Like Mississippi Athletic Conference rival Assumption, the Spartans will be replacing key faces from their recent success, including Isabelle Kremer, who is off to Drake. The cupboard is far from bare, however, with seniors [player_tooltip player_id='490015' first='Mazie' last='Sweers'], [player_tooltip player_id='493657' first='Addison' last='Allaman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='555746' first='Clare' last='Yeggy'] leading the way. [player_tooltip player_id='773976' first='Rachel' last='McCaulley'], [player_tooltip player_id='555772' first='Grace' last='Danielson'], [player_tooltip player_id='555775' first='Alexis' last='Stilwell'] and Eden Russmann are looking for larger roles after seeing varsity action last year. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Humboldt surprised a lot of volleyball fans around the state with its run to last year's state championship match, where it fell to Assumption. The Wildcats, who started the year at the Sizzle, will be looking to return in November and finish the deal. They have the talent to do so with all-staters [player_tooltip player_id='545946' first='Addison' last='Waldorf'] and [player_tooltip player_id='746258' first='Adelynn' last='Goodell'] back in the fold. [player_tooltip player_id='833174' first='Jazzie' last='Dodd'] is a returning starter as is [player_tooltip player_id='794177' first='Gracie' last='Johnson']. It will be interesting to watch how the next wave of young talent in this building program looks entering the mix this week.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Clear Creek Amana has been among the state leaders in victories during the last several years. The Clippers will be seeking their fifth state tournament berth in a row in 2026 with a roster missing graduated all-staters in Averie Lower and Emily Henderson. Back is all-stater Julie Schlarbaum, though, along with mighty middle [player_tooltip player_id='493660' first='Bailey' last='Simpson'] and starting libero [player_tooltip player_id='902716' first='Kendall' last='Ronnfeldt']. [player_tooltip player_id='571219' first='Haydin' last='Wauters'], [player_tooltip player_id='693879' first='Delaney' last='Vaske'] and [player_tooltip player_id='792345' first='Bella' last='Behrens'] look ready for more responsibility after contributing on the varsity a year ago. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Iowa City West returns all of its rotation from a 2025 team that reached the school's first state tournament in nine years. The Trojans will be chasing their first Iowa title since winning back-to-back championships in '10-11. Iowa State commitment [player_tooltip player_id='360642' first='Sophia' last='Austen'] leads the way with an excellent supporting cast in [player_tooltip player_id='754657' first='Cyan' last='Blommer'], [player_tooltip player_id='555736' first='Lila' last='Eastvold'], [player_tooltip player_id='540833' first='Izzie' last='McDonald'], [player_tooltip player_id='533845' first='Taylor' last='Otte'], [player_tooltip player_id='697463' first='Audrey' last='Small'] and [player_tooltip player_id='610472' first='Josie' last='Austen']. We'll see this week if others on the roster are pushing for playing time. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Iowa City Liberty and Iowa City High also will be competing this week. The Lightning return an experienced foundation in [player_tooltip player_id='316419' first='Edie' last='Miller'], [player_tooltip player_id='316380' first='Hadley' last='Miller'], [player_tooltip player_id='273001' first='Ellie' last='Wilson'], [player_tooltip player_id='493985' first='Sydney' last='Van Heukelom'], [player_tooltip player_id='845222' first='Ava' last='Meidlinger'] and Norah Wiley. All-state middle [player_tooltip player_id='493658' first='Hattie' last='Galloway'] leads the way for the Little Hawks, who also have veteran punch in [player_tooltip player_id='805985' first='Kaitlin' last='Loria'] and [player_tooltip player_id='730426' first='Hazel' last='Schluckebier']. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Cedar Rapids will be represented by Jefferson and Kennedy at the Sizzle. [player_tooltip player_id='815520' first='Kymara' last='Atwood-Mayes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='555785' first='Lexi' last='Haller'] return after leading the J-Hawks in kills last season, and Kyanah Atwood was the digs leader. The Cougars bring back a lot of production, including [player_tooltip player_id='525829' first='Addison' last='Phillips'], [player_tooltip player_id='555717' first='Kaycee' last='Cory'], [player_tooltip player_id='555707' first='Skyylan' last='Ousley'], [player_tooltip player_id='621326' first='Dylan' last='Amling'] and [player_tooltip player_id='987319' first='Addison' last='Stallman'].</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[player_tooltip player_id='730449' first='Kylee' last='Suhr'] (Williamsburg), [player_tooltip player_id='754886' first='Taylen' last='Smith'] (Union), [player_tooltip player_id='569671' first='Logan' last='Ramstack'] (Bettendorf) and [player_tooltip player_id='765171' first='Dillynn' last='Moore'] (Davenport Central) are among the other outstanding players leading interesting teams into the Sizzle. <a href="https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/sports/high-school/volleyball/2025/11/06/luxemburg-casco-volleyball-is-state-powerhouse-under-coach-jeff-frey/87109644007/">Luxemburg-Casco</a>, an Wisconsin volleyball power, will be heading south for the Iowa Sizzle as well. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->