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<p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area</em></strong></p>
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<p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/11/fabulous-freshmen-from-iowa-state-tournament-part-i/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/11/fabulous-freshmen-from-iowa-state-tournament-part-i/">Fabulous Freshmen from Iowa State Tournament Part I</a></strong></p>
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<p>The state tournament is a wonderful opportunity to watch great teams and players from around Iowa competing at one well-run event. The 2026 edition will be remembered for a long time as one delivering great stories and memories.</p>
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<p>One of the best aspects of the state tournament is seeing student-athletes for the first time or one of the first times. It's a group that's historically been dominated by freshmen but now includes eighth-graders.</p>
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<p>We might discuss to the latter group in the next few days as we continue writing content from state. First up, however, let's take a look at freshmen that were fabulous:</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">I watched Pieper perform at multiple events during this past club season, the last time being at the USAV Nationals this summer in Indianapolis. Efficiency and versatility were the traits that stood out the most. That was the case again when scouting her at the state tournament, where she was a key cog for a Holy Trinity Catholic squad that reached the Class 1A semifinals. In a thrilling, five-set, quarterfinal win against Wapsie Valley, Piper contributed 11 kills (.357), four digs and a block. During a three-set loss to eventual champion Ankeny Centennial, the freshman had five kills (.214) and two digs. Piper is one of the more fundamentally sound players in Iowa's 2030 Class.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">I first saw Peterson compete in person when watching her club team at the USAV Nationals this past summer in Indianapolis. She was commanding the court in the middle of net as a two-way force. She carried that well-rounded game over to her freshman season at Assumption, who I saw play in person multiple times this year. Now, she was getting the job done from the opposite pin, which speaks to her athleticism and explosion. There's a very high ceiling here, which was again evident at the state tournament. Peterson produced 11 kills (.320) and a pair of blocks in a five-set win against Waverly-Shell Rock in the first round, and followed it up with seven kills and three digs in a three-set loss to Clear Creek Amana in the semifinals. </p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Herrmann stood out to me pretty quickly when I watched her competing at the USAV Nationals this summer in Indianapolis. Long arms and leaping ability lead to her playing taller than her listed height. She's a good athlete that moves well and has plenty of room to grow physically and as a volleyball player, giving her a sizable ceiling. The freshman looked comfortable when seeing her at an in-season tournament and the same could be said at the state tournament. During a four-set loss to eventual Class 2A champion Beckman Catholic in the quarterfinals, Herrmann contributed six kills (.250) and a pair of blocks. She's an important part of a young core that will have the Cyclones competing for the top prize for years to come. </p>
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<p class="text-gray-700"><a href="https://yellowjackets.cedarville.edu/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/carley-craighead/6115" data-type="link" data-id="https://yellowjackets.cedarville.edu/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/carley-craighead/6115">Carley Craighead</a> helped Ankeny Christian win three consecutive state championships from 2022-24. Her younger sister, Dani, has a chance to top her title total after helping the Eagles fly to the Class 1A state championship last week. Also a middle hitter, Dani is a active player at the net, capable of getting the ball down on the court quickly or slapping it back at the opponent with a mighty block. Craighead hit over .500 in collecting 11 kills in 10 sets played. Her nine blocks included three solo blocks. The Ankeny Christian freshman certainly is one to watch moving forward. </p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">I started hearing about Bishop as a primetime prospect during the club season but did not get to see her in action, unfortunately. That changed during the high school campaign, when I watched her in person at the Grinnell Tournament and via stream throughout the year. That's why it was no surprise to see her competing at a high level as a freshman at the state tournament. Bishop is a legit 6-foot-3 with long arms, agility and explosive athleticism. Her ceiling is as high as anybody in Iowa's 2030 Class. During a four-set loss to Humboldt in the state quarterfinal, Bishop contributed seven kills and three blocks.</p>
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<p class="text-gray-700">Jackson caught my eye with her play during a Prep Dig showcase we held in Clive this summer. The Class of 2030 prospect looked comfortable and confident even with the older players at the event. She must have shown that early in the high school year. Defending Class 5A champion Waukee Northwest had her running the show as a part of a 6-2. Had I not known she was a freshman, I wouldn't have been able to tell when seeing matches on streams this season. That was the case again in watching her perform in person during the state tournament, when the Wolves won their third title in four years. Jackson is a smooth operator with a good feel for match flow and the skill set to impact the action in multiple ways. She finished the state tournament with 64 assists and 22 digs in nine sets.</p>
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The state tournament is a wonderful opportunity to watch great teams and players from around Iowa competing at one well-run event. The 2026 edition will be remembered for a long time as one delivering great stories and memories.
One of the best aspects of the state tournament is seeing student-athletes for the first time or one of the first times. It's a group that's historically been dominated by freshmen but now includes eighth-graders.
We might discuss to the latter group in the next few days as we continue writing content from state. First up, however, let's take a look at freshmen that were fabulous:
I watched Pieper perform at multiple events during this past club season, the last time being at the USAV Nationals this summer in Indianapolis. Efficiency and versatility were the traits that stood out the most. That was the case again when scouting her at the state tournament, where she was a key cog for a Holy Trinity Catholic squad that reached the Class 1A semifinals. In a thrilling, five-set, quarterfinal win against Wapsie Valley, Piper contributed 11 kills (.357), four digs and a block. During a three-set loss to eventual champion Ankeny Centennial, the freshman had five kills (.214) and two digs. Piper is one of the more fundamentally sound players in Iowa's 2030 Class.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
I first saw Peterson compete in person when watching her club team at the USAV Nationals this past summer in Indianapolis. She was commanding the court in the middle of net as a two-way force. She carried that well-rounded game over to her freshman season at Assumption, who I saw play in person multiple times this year. Now, she was getting the job done from the opposite pin, which speaks to her athleticism and explosion. There's a very high ceiling here, which was again evident at the state tournament. Peterson produced 11 kills (.320) and a pair of blocks in a five-set win against Waverly-Shell Rock in the first round, and followed it up with seven kills and three digs in a three-set loss to Clear Creek Amana in the semifinals.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
Herrmann stood out to me pretty quickly when I watched her competing at the USAV Nationals this summer in Indianapolis. Long arms and leaping ability lead to her playing taller than her listed height. She's a good athlete that moves well and has plenty of room to grow physically and as a volleyball player, giving her a sizable ceiling. The freshman looked comfortable when seeing her at an in-season tournament and the same could be said at the state tournament. During a four-set loss to eventual Class 2A champion Beckman Catholic in the quarterfinals, Herrmann contributed six kills (.250) and a pair of blocks. She's an important part of a young core that will have the Cyclones competing for the top prize for years to come.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
Carley Craighead helped Ankeny Christian win three consecutive state championships from 2022-24. Her younger sister, Dani, has a chance to top her title total after helping the Eagles fly to the Class 1A state championship last week. Also a middle…
I started hearing about Bishop as a primetime prospect during the club season but did not get to see her in action, unfortunately. That changed during the high school campaign, when I watched her in person at the Grinnell Tournament…
Jackson caught my eye with her play during a Prep Dig showcase we held in Clive this summer. The Class of 2030 prospect looked comfortable and confident even with the older players at the event. She must have shown that early in the high school year. Defending Class 5A champion Waukee Northwest had her running the show as a part of a 6-2. Had I not known she was a freshman, I wouldn't have been able to tell when seeing matches on streams this season. That was the case again in watching her perform in person during the state tournament, when the Wolves won their third title in four years. Jackson is a smooth operator with a good feel for match flow and the skill set to impact the action in multiple ways. She finished the state tournament with 64 assists and 22 digs in nine sets.
Evaluations are normally subscriber-only but when an athlete subscribes, theirs becomes free for all readers.
Subscribing doesn't change who the Scout covers, it changes who gets to see it.
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