Powerful Players To Watch In Week 5

<p>Here we are with another week of volleyball, and yet again there are a handful of great matches to watch. As we head into the back half of the regular season, teams are really starting to kick into high gear. Connections are solidifying, defenses are locked down, and teams are pulling away in their conferences. Here are some of those top teams to watch this week. </p>   <p>For more coverage, highlights, media, and evaluations, make sure to follow my Instagram @Prepdigmarissa</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Western Dubuque vs. Iowa City West</h3>   <p>Both of these teams have been consistently moving around the middle/top of their class rankings. They are also both undefeated in their conference, with Western Dubuque being 4-0 and IC West 3-0, and fighting to come out on top. Iowa City has their fair share of strong hitters, but I think Dubuque has them beat in depth and options. We obviously know that <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/kyla-ramler-2/" data-type="players" data-id="493984">[player_tooltip player_id='493984' first='Kyla' last='Ramler']</a> will be their go-to, but they have plenty of hitters that are more than capable of putting the ball away. The Trojans are going to have to rely on their amazing speed and stellar defense to pull through this game. This was definitely a tough one to pick, but I think Western Dubuque is going to come out on top in this matchup. If you want to catch the Trojans and Bobcats in action, you can catch them playing on Tuesday at 7 p.m. @Iowa City West.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Although Addi isn't at the top of the leaderboard for kills, she knows how to get the job done. My favorite thing about Mohr is her court awareness and ability to use various shots. She does a fantastic job of reading her blockers and adjusting her swing based on where the defense is set up. Even when going up against a tough blocking team, she can still manage to tool the block or find a way to go around it. </p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Mount Vernon vs. Center Point- Urbana</h3>   <p>Although both of these teams are 1-1 in conference, they have both pulled off some pretty big wins so far this season. Last time these two faced off, Mount Vernon fell short to CPU in 3 sets. The Mustangs have done a fantastic job offensively, showcasing heavy arms and big swings. They've also been playing incredibly smart at the net. CPU has an incredibly scrappy defense and good control on serve receive. This match will definitely come down to aggression and endurance, but I am thinking Mount Vernon will be coming away with the win. CPU and Mount Vernon will be competing on Tuesday at 7:30 @ Mount Vernon.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Paulus has been a reliable and well-rounded OH for the Mustangs so far this season. The junior has done a fantastic job with her aggression and range in her swings. Not only is she a huge help at the net, but she is also a key contributor in the back row as well. Paulus has beautiful control on serve receive and creates fantastic first touches for her setter. She is definitely a glue for the Mustangs program and I'm excited to see how she continues to contribute in the back half of the season.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Marion vs. Solon</h3>   <p>Marion has been on quite a hot streak this season, pulling off some pretty impressive wins from top-ranked schools in various classes. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: they aren't the tallest team, but man, are they smart. This group is loaded with talent through every position. Their hitters do a fantastic job of moving the ball around and finding every open spot on the floor, making it incredibly hard to guess their next move. And when they want to pound the ball, good luck stopping them. Solon has been holding themselves at the top of the rankings as well, and for good reason. Although they haven't pulled off any crazy upsets recently, they've remained a powerful force throughout the first half of the season. The Spartans assert their dominance through their aggressive serving and blocking abilities. They do an exceptional job placing the ball and still staying aggressive when serving. And their blockers are incredibly disciplined all across the net. Although I've been a huge fan of Marion so far this season, I think Solon is going to come out with the W in this match. If you want to catch this amazing matchup, you can go watch them on Tuesday at 7:30 @ Solon.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Jaleaya was another Marion kid that I hadn't seen play much until this season, and I was definitely missing out. Oliver has been such a fun kid to watch this season, not only because of her skill set, but also because of the energy she brings to the court every match. Although she is phenomenal in serve receive, it's her defense that really draws you in. She reads extremely well, but her hustle plays are the highlights. That girl refuses to let any balls drop without her body hitting the ground first. And just when you think the rally is over, here she comes, making an outstanding play to keep her team alive. Oliver's energy, grit, and passion have played such a huge role in the Wolves' success this season, and I can't wait to watch her continue to flourish.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Bettendorf vs. Assumption</h3>   <p>Assumption and Bettendorf have both surprised quite a bit this season. I knew they would do well, but both programs have exceeded every single expectation I had. On the one hand, we have the Bulldogs, and although they don't have many new faces within the program, something definitely sparked within this team. They look like they have this whole new level of confidence in their gameplay and are looking like a team that wants to go far in the postseason. They are an incredibly well-rounded team with so much grit and grind throughout their gameplay. On the other hand, we have the Knights. This group has continued to turn heads and keep people talking week after week. The biggest thing with Assumption is that everyone knows their role, and they all perform their role exceptionally well. I have enjoyed watching both of these teams throughout the season and am incredibly excited for this matchup. I'm definitely going to have to go with Assumption winning this game just because of the way they've been playing. If you want to catch this game, they will be playing on Tuesday at 7:30 @ Bettendorf.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='952192' first='Beatrice' last='Shirley'] is one who can do it all and do it well. Shirley is a multi-threat and can play almost anywhere you put her. But for the Bulldogs, she's been an outstanding OH and a key contributor to their offense. The best thing about Shirley is her composure, especially in high-stakes situations. She manages to play clean and calm volleyball, and she manages to score even in the toughest situations. </p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ankeny vs. Waukee Northwest</h3>   <p>This matchup is definitely going to be my highlight match of the week. Two teams, both undefeated in the CIML, both at the top of 5A, and both ready to battle. Waukee NW has proven week after week why they are in that #1 spot in the rankings. Of course, you have to credit the two powerhouses, <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/logan-vogt/" data-type="players" data-id="490013">[player_tooltip player_id='490013' first='Logan' last='Vogt']</a> and <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/piper-ladwig/" data-type="players" data-id="493601">[player_tooltip player_id='493601' first='Piper' last='Ladwig']</a>. But you can't have a stellar offense without a good back row that hones in on that first touch. However, Valley showed us that the champions can be defeated, and I think Ankeny could be the next ones. This group clearly has the talent in each position, it's just a matter of whether or not they can remain aggressive with their serves and outsmart the defense. They have the talent, the grit, and the home-court advantage. Although I have so much respect for the Wolves, I'm taking Ankeny for this match because who doesn't love a good (kind of) underdog story? The Wolves and Hawks will be facing off on Thursday at 7:30 @ Ankeny.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">I've talked about Kennedy before, and I'll happily do it again. There is nothing scarier for a freshman than not just coming into a program that just won the 5A title, but also filling the shoes of former setter Avery Vogt. However, Jackson has taken that opportunity, and she ran with it. She has done such a fantastic job of running this team's offense, and you can tell she's worked so incredibly hard to mesh with these all-star hitters and lead this program to another title. Most freshmen would crack under this kind of pressure, but Jackson has used it to make herself known.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Janesville vs. Wapsie Valley</h3>   <p>Although this isn't a conference match, these teams are ranked fairly high in 1A and are working their way to the top. Janesville has remained assertive throughout the season, which is why they've stayed at the top of the rankings. With a strong defense and powerful offense, they'll be a tough team to take down. You also have to give a shoutout to their middles, <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/quinn-sweeney/" data-type="players" data-id="887022">[player_tooltip player_id='887022' first='Quinn' last='Sweeney']</a> and <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/lauren-meaney-2/" data-type="players" data-id="826988">[player_tooltip player_id='826988' first='Lauren' last='Meaney']</a>. Both of these middles do a fantastic job of tracking the ball, making themselves available, and finding the court. Going up against them is Wapsie Valley, who is ranked lower, but still a fierce competitor. The Warriors have some heavy hitters of their own and definitely have the ability to take down the Wildcats. If they can find a way to stop Janesville's middles from being an offensive option, they definitely have a chance of coming out on top. Although I am rooting for Wapsie Valley, I think Janesville is going to come away with the win. If you want to catch some 1A action, this is the game to watch on Thursday at 6:00 @ Wapsie Valley.</p>

Here we are with another week of volleyball, and yet again there are a handful of great matches to watch. As we head into the back half of the regular season, teams are really starting to kick into high gear. Connections are solidifying, defenses are locked down, and teams are pulling away in their conferences. Here are some of those top teams to watch this week.