Tiering 1st Numbered Rankings for Iowa’s 2029 Class

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong><br><br>Prep Dig Iowa updated its rankings for the 2027 and 2028 Classes at the end of August. The plan was to do the same with the 2029s. The process ended up taking a little longer than expected, which can happen when moving from a watch list to numbers next to names.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In other words, actually ranking players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After thinking it over, that's what we've done. You can check out the first 2029 Rankings <a href="https://prepdig.com/iowa/rankings/2029-rankings/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/iowa/rankings/2029-rankings/"><strong>HERE</strong></a>. Expect plenty of movement going forward. A lot of development remains for this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll be posting more content from rankings release in the coming days. We like getting the party started by examining the rundown in tiers. It lends insight into how players of like talent are grouped.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As it pertains to these rankings, the first three players are in the top tier. Iowa City West outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='754657' first='Cyan' last='Blommer'] holds down the No. 1 spot. She's an explosive performer at the pin with a big-time vertical leap, hang time and a hammer for a right arm. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's not easy for setters to rank among the top players in the given class. That's usually reserved for attackers. When they're special at the position, however, they're incredibly valuable. That's the case with second-ranked [player_tooltip player_id='754551' first='Zane' last='Ehler'] from Tipton. Her game is precise and powerful. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For my money, like setters, middle hitters don't receive enough love when it comes to getting credit where it's due. The difference-makers there are worth their weight in gold. That's the case with No. 3 [player_tooltip player_id='781517' first='Hadassah' last='Smith'] from Cedar Falls. The sophomore can take over matches with a power attack and intimidating block. She has a lot of room to grow before reaching her sizable ceiling. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two-player second tier begins with fourth-ranked [player_tooltip player_id='769009' first='Ellie' last='Friessen'] from Hinton. The athletic middle shares the high upside with the players in the first group and could end up being the best of the bunch. The same could be said for Algona's [player_tooltip player_id='893087' first='Kate' last='Limbaugh'], who rounds out the tier. Like Friessen, Limbaugh has a really high ceiling as a long-limbed, athletic volleyballer capable of emerging as No. 1 when all is said and done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A five-player third tier kicks off with Marion's [player_tooltip player_id='759977' first='Abbey' last='Kirk'], whose overall game is second to none in this class. When everything is clicking, she can be as impactful as anybody in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='887022' first='Quinn' last='Sweeney'] checks in at No. 7. The Janesville sophomore is a dominant two-way force in the middle of the net. She's athletic and agile with power at 6-foot-4. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sumner-Fredericksburg setter [player_tooltip player_id='785394' first='Hannah' last='Buhman'] is ranked eighth. The sophomore is a do-it-all performer at the position, putting the ball on the money, defending in the front and back, and ending points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At No. 9 is Solon outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='754537' first='Amelia' last='Guinn'], who brings as much power to the pin as anybody in the class. She's harnessing it and ascending as a result.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Cedar also boasts a high-ceiling college prospect in sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='750513' first='Caylee' last='Jensen'], the 10th-ranked prospect who rounds out the third tier of these rankings. She's already one of the best defenders in the middle within the state's borders. Her attack is improving and packed with potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The fourth tier is comprised of four players. Iowa City West's [player_tooltip player_id='610472' first='Josie' last='Austen'], Pleasant Valley's [player_tooltip player_id='789484' first='Avrielle' last='Ohda'], Ankeny Christian's [player_tooltip player_id='777812' first='Havanna' last='Dolbeare'] and Hudson's [player_tooltip player_id='889843' first='Paige' last='Davis'] are a versatile foursome capable of impacting matches in multiple ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->