Sophomores Shine at ’26 Iowa State Tournament Part II

<!-- 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/">Fabulous Freshmen from Iowa State Tournament Part II</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/11/sophomore-shine-at-26-iowa-state-tournament-part-i/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/11/sophomore-shine-at-26-iowa-state-tournament-part-i/">Sophomores Shine at '26 Iowa State Tournament Part I</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":["1046923"],"_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-6af609748d8db"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ankeny returned plenty of firepower from last year's state semifinalist squad. The Hawks had an opening at setter, however. Roush seized the opportunity and ran with it as the team again made the 5A Final Four. I was impressed watching her operate via streams a few times this season. The same could be said seeing her compete at the state tournament. Roush has a soft touch in setting up teammates and an excellent feel for match flow. She mixes up her sets well, exploiting weak spots in the defense. Tall with long arms at the position, she can end points with her swing or well-timed dump, defends at the net and holds up in serve-receive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["946877"],"_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-6af609748d92b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've scouted Depoorter on the club circuit throughout the last few seasons. She stood out for her poise and precision while playing up an age group for one of the more competitive teams in Iowa for that age. Depoorter took over as Assumption's starting setter this year, when I saw her compete in person at multiple events during the regular season. She guided a smooth operation, connecting with a talented group of hitters. The Knight sophomore shined again on the big stage at the state tournament. Athleticism, height, long arms and technical soundness put her among the state's best sophomores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["781517"],"_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-6af609748d955"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Smith is currently ranked as the No. 3 overall prospect in Iowa's 2029 Class and its top middle hitter. There's a case to be made that she owns the highest ceiling among the group, and the Cedar Falls standout continued her climb towards reaching it this prep season. Smith built on a tremendous club campaign, when I watched her compete well against some of the nation's top teams. Despite the Tigers bowing out in the state quarterfinals against eventual 5A finalist Dallas Center-Grimes, she was clearly one of the best players on the court in that match. Smith is a rare combination of power, agility and athleticism in the middle of the net. She's capable of taking over the action and often does.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["902980"],"_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-6af609748d979"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As a freshman last season, Ortegren put herself on the map as a key component in Hinton's run to the 2A state championship match. She managed to raise her level of play considerably in leading the Blackhawks back to the final match this year, earning a spot on the all-tournament team by shining through six rotations. Ortegren is a powerful performer at the pin, rising up with a big vertical leap and bringing a heavy swing. She reads the block well and plays off what she sees. Ortegren is an excellent athlete with lateral quickness and a sound platform to defend in the back row. Her star is rising and the future is bright for this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["889843"],"_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-6af609748d99b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Davis enjoyed a wonderful run on the club circuit this past season, helping her team stand out as one of Iowa's best in the age group. She was continuing her ascent this fall when I watched Hudson compete several times during the season via stream, including a thrilling win against Woodward-Granger in the regional finals. A magical campaign for the Pirates ended in the state quarterfinals against a loaded Hinton squad, but Davis still managed to stand out as one of the top players on the court that day. She's a gifted volleyballer capable of shining through six rotations with a powerful attack and ability to get the job done in the back row.</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-6af609748d9c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kirkpatrick has stood out whenever I've watched her compete during the last several years. That's been the case playing for one of the more successful teams in her age group on the club circuit. She also performed well as a freshman during Grundy Center's run to the state semifinals in 2025. Kirkpatrick was even better this year in helping the Spartans back to 2A semifinals, where they lost a five-set heartbreaker to eventual champion Beckman Catholic. She ranked among the top state's sophomores in kills and digs this season with one of the more well-rounded skill sets in the class. Kirkpatrick is efficient at the pin, making intelligent decisions and executing. She's made great strides in defending and in serve-receive from the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->