’29 Rankings Update: Who to Watch on Watch List

<!-- 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><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/2029-rankings-update-closer-look-at-top-5/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/2029-rankings-update-closer-look-at-top-5/">2029 Rankings Update: Closer Look at Top 5</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/2029-rankings-update-closer-look-at-nos-11-15/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/2029-rankings-update-closer-look-at-nos-11-15/">2029 Rankings Update: Closer Look at Nos. 11-15</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Dig Iowa released a Class of 2029 Rankings Update on Wednesday. It was the first time this recruiting cycle had numbers next to names, the previous iterations being Watch Lists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can check out that rundown, which also includes new names on the Watch List&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/iowa/rankings/2029-rankings/">HERE</a></strong>. There's a&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/tiering-1st-numbered-rankings-for-iowas-2029-class/">companion article</a></strong>&nbsp;breaking the rankings into tiers of like-talented players, adding helpful context to the process.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we take a closer look at interesting prospects on the watch list. We'll be tracking them and others as we've already begun work on the next rankings update.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["938499"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac7e673ec443"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I wrote about Hutchins back in early March after watching her compete during the club campaign. She was standing out in the middle of the net as an impactful two-way performer. Power was the name of her game as she brought down the hammer with a heavy right-handed swing. Long arms and leaping ability led to an effective block. She showed a good feel for match flow and being the right place at the right time. Hutchins has taken a step forward this fall as one of just two sophomores contributing for an Ankeny varsity with realistic aspirations of winning a state title after reaching the semifinals a year ago. Hutchins has a bright future in this game unless she opts for basketball, where she helped the Hawks reach the state tournament as a freshman last winter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["782157"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac7e9ec2c087"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I watched Jensen play every one of her matches during the club season as she was on our daughter's team. It's not surprising at all seeing her break out as a Williamsburg sophomore. She'd piled up 335 digs through the season's first 65 sets and played a key role in the Raiders upsetting Clear Creek Amana on the road. Jensen is a high-energy player that always lays it all out there on the line. She may be slowed by a bump or bruise after making a diving dig but bounces up shortly after that to deliver again. Jensen has sharp reflexes and is very quick, helping her cover a lot of court. She's a prospect on the rise, one that could very well find herself among the ranked when Prep Dig updates the 2029 Class later this year or in early '27.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["891599"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac7e9ec2c0ed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Among the prospects in Iowa's 2029 Class, Kirkpatrick stands out as one of its most skilled and well-rounded. She played a leading role in her club team's success, which included an impressive run at the USAV National Tournament this summer in Indianapolis. Kirkpatrick impacted matches with a big vertical leap and strong swing from the pin. Her work in the back row facing up against the attack or passing off serve-receive was super valuable to the team. That performance arrived on the heels of a wonderful freshman season of 2025, when she helped Grundy Center reach the state semifinals. Kirkpatrick has taken another step forward as a 10th-grader. Through the first 74 sets for the highly-ranked Spartans, she led the way in kills, hitting an efficient .344, with the second most digs and 30.0 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["902417"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac7e9ec2c142"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McGraw caught my attention and that of others at the state tournament with her performance as a freshman last year in Coralville. She finished a fine season with 447 assists, 162 kills, 243 digs and 20.0 blocks in 112 sets operating through six rotations in a 6-2. McGraw flashes a bunch of potential as a setter, putting the ball on the money and her attackers in position to terminate points with authority. Long arms and a big vertical leap help her throw up an effective block. They also aid her in attacking from anywhere along the net. McGraw is a quick-twitch athlete that moves well in the back row. She flows smoothly with the action and is in position to make plays. McGraw is one of the more interesting prospects in Iowa's '29 Class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["768896"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ac7e9ec2c193"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">RVA is an under-rated club program when it comes to developing college talent. There always interesting athletes packed with potential when checking out its courts. That was the case with the 15U team last year. It reached the USAV National Tournament during the summer in Indianapolis. Skinner was competing as a six-rotation outside hitter on that team, doing so at a high level. She was reliable in terminating points from the pin and also proved steady in the back row. Athleticism and agility stood out as important traits. Skinner has raised her game even more this prep campaign, where she's worked her way into the lineup for upstart Johnston. The sophomore ranked third on the squad in kills and fourth in digs despite playing fewer sets than other starters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->