Sophomore Shine at ’26 Iowa State Tournament Part I

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/11/fabulous-freshmen-from-iowa-state-tournament-part-i/">Fabulous Freshmen from Iowa State Tournament Part I</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/11/fabulous-freshmen-from-iowa-state-tournament-part-ii/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/11/fabulous-freshmen-from-iowa-state-tournament-part-ii/">Fabulous Freshmen from Iowa State Tournament Part II</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The state tournament is a wonderful opportunity to watch great teams and players from around Iowa competing at a well-run event. The 2026 edition will be remembered for a long time as one delivering great stories and memories.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the best aspects of the state tournament is seeing student-athletes still early in their careers. There's something special about the wide eyes and excitement of the underclassmen performing on the sport's biggest stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today we'll take a look at members of the sophomore class that excelled with the opportunity: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["936308"],"_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-6af4a42f5b082"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I first saw Koelker play in person during an early club season event up in Milwaukee this past January. The then-freshman was shining as a well-rounded setter capable of impacting matches in a variety of ways. She carried the momentum from club into her sophomore season at Beckman Catholic this fall. Koelker improved as the campaign went on and lifted her game to an incredibly high level at the state tournament. The Trailblazer 10th-grader was brilliant in dishing out 155 assists, collecting 18 digs and coming up with eight blocks during 14 sets in helping Beckman win the Class 2A state title. Koelker is a rising prospect in Iowa's 2029 recruiting class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["777812"],"_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-6af4a622e12a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dolbeare caught my attention while watching her in person at the President's Day Classic in St. Louis during February. She was operating at a high level through six rotations at that event. I saw her again at several other tournaments, where she always was among the best players on the court. The same could be said when watching her at the state tournament, where she was named the captain of the Class 1A all-tournament team after leading Ankeny Christian to its fourth title in five seasons. Dolbeare hit close to .500 in producing 57 kills in 10 sets with 31 digs. She's a powerful prospect at the pin with athleticism and agility to handle the back row, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["754657"],"_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-6af4a7ee07df4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The No. 1-ranked player in Iowa's 2029 Class, according to Prep Dig, Blommer provided evidence as to why that's the case during the state tournament. An absolute hammer at the pin, the sophomore played a leading role in helping Iowa City West knock off Dowling Catholic in advancing to the semifinals in 5A. Blommer collected 35 kills (.287), 16 digs and three blocks during eight sets played in Coralville. That performance happened against some of the top front-row players in Iowa. Blommer is an excellent athlete with leaping ability and a heavy swing. She's improving as a defender at the net and in the back row. A big club season is currently loading.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1061977"],"_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-6af4a9718226a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The younger sister of the 2025 Iowa High School Player of the Year, Bailey Boeve, Brynlee is a much different volleyballer than her outside hitting older sibling. Brynlee stood out while wearing the libero jersey during Hinton's run to the state championship match as a freshman last season. She was at it again this year, when the Blackhawks again reached the title match. Boeve is a taller, longer-limbed player in the back row, covering a lot of court with lateral quickness and big strides. She helped keep Hinton in system and in position to feed a talented collection of hitters by coming up with 84 digs and 20 assists during 12 sets contested in Coralville. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["887022"],"_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-6af4aafacd8fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Having scouted Sweeney in club ball through the last several years, the Janesville sophomore always casts a large shadow on the court. The physical two-way middle hitter impacts matches and intimidates the opposition from the opening serve. When I watched Sweeney during the regular-season at the Waverly-Shell Rock Tournament, she was slowed by an injury. When getting a chance to scout her again at the state tournament, Sweeney was healthy and dominating in leading the Wildcats back to the Class 1A championship match. The Janesville 10th-grader earned all-tournament recognition after producing an efficient 51 kills and 13 blocks in 10 sets played.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1004312"],"_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-6af4acca14aab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I had seen Kiewiet play on the club circuit multiple times in the last few years. The potential and upside she flashed during those scouting opportunities was starting to be realized when watching her in person again at the state tournament. The second middle hitter behind a Division I commitment for Grundy Center, the Spartan sophomore offered little relief for the opposition when entering the match. The 10th-grader played an important role in helping her program reach the state semifinals for a second year in a row by contributing an efficient 14 kills, seven digs and five blocks in a couple of five-set matches. Kiewiet is definitely one to watch moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->