Sophomores Shine at ’26 Iowa State Tournament Part III

<!-- 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/">Sophomores Shine at '26 Iowa State Tournament Part I</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/11/sophomores-shine-at-26-iowa-state-tournament-part-ii/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/11/sophomores-shine-at-26-iowa-state-tournament-part-ii/">Sophomores Shine at '26 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":["893055"],"_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-6af76383e5b31"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ankeny Christian won its fourth Class 1A state championship in five seasons last week, taking down Janesville in four sets in the title match. The Eagles won 41 of 43 matches this season operating out of a 6-2 system. Davis was one of two productive setters, finishing with 424 assists, among the most for all of Iowa's 10th-graders in 2026. She also contributed 29.0 blocks, which ranked third on the team, 36 digs and 13 kills. The wide array of contributions speaks to her broad base of skills. Davis can impact matches in a variety of ways and is an interesting college prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["754537"],"_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-6af76383e5b74"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A Top 10 player in Iowa's 2029 Class, according to Prep Dig, Guinn already has accumulated 575 kills with two more prep seasons to go. The sophomore terminated 338 points this year, including a team-high 15 in a four-set loss to Humboldt in the state quarterfinals last week. She also added a block. Guinn stands out for her power, which was display at Xtream Arena in Coralville. She's developing as an overall hitter, understanding when to blast through the block, hit off of it, go across the court or tipping against an aggressive net defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["769009"],"_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-6af76383e5b99"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hinton reached the Class 2A state title match last week for the second season in a row thanks in large part to its talented collection of sophomores. Friessen is a proud and productive member of that group. She selected to the all-tournament team as was the case in 2025, her freshman campaign. The Blackhawk 10th-grader impacts matches as a two-way force in the middle of the net. She can put the ball down with authority and send it back to the opposition with an intimidating block. Friessen is an excellent athlete with leaping ability. She's on a great trajectory as a college prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["776054"],"_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-6af76383e5bb8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Decker is ranked as the No. 1 defensive specialist/libero in Iowa's 2029 recruiting class, according to Prep Dig. That's based on her outstanding work along the club circuit while wearing the jersey for one of the top teams in her age group. Decker possesses what scouts seek in a primetime defender in the back row. She moves well laterally, is quick with sharp reflexes, and has a sound platform. Decker's athleticism was on display during the 2026 prep season, when she helped Wapsie Valley reach the state tournament as an impactful six-rotation outside hitter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["891592"],"_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-6af76383e5bd6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The last two Class 2A state championship matches have included Hinton as a participant. The Blackhawks got there again last week thanks to standout play from their sophomore class. Charlson is an impressive performer in that group. The left-handed opposite pin proved she's one of the better players in Iowa's 2029 Class. She can get up off of the court and brings a very heavy swing to the competition. Charlson is a legit 6-foot-2 with room to grow taller and add strength. Her ceiling is among the highest in the Iowa sophomore class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1061893"],"_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-6af76383e5bf4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Humboldt has built itself into a prominent player in the state's Class 3A volleyball division. The Wildcats have reached the state semifinals the last two seasons, including a trip to the title match last year. That takes young players stepping into bigger roles season to season. Olsen was one of the student-athletes to do so in 2026. She ranked among the top sophomores in the state when it came to kills. In watching her at the state tournament, you could see the potential on the attack that led to her ranking third on the team in kills. Her 102 digs and 16.0 blocks spoke to a broad base of skills and upside for the future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->