Notes, Observations from Day 1 of PD Iowa Sizzle ’26

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CORALVILLE, Iowa - </strong>Year 3 of the Iowa Prep Dig Sizzle tipped off Tuesday afternoon here at Xtream Arena. Fresh off of dead week, teams measured themselves against each other. Competition for playing time officially got underway.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I set up in the balcony at this event to see as much as possible. Still, watching four courts can be difficult. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tuesday's focus was on the schools only playing one day at the Sizzle. That group included Pleasant Valley, Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Williamsburg and South Tama.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are thoughts on that foursome. I'll be writing about the other participants on Wednesday and beyond. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PV RELOADING</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pleasant Valley won a Class 5A state title two seasons ago and reached the state tournament again last year. The Spartans graduated major production from those teams following the 2025 campaign. That's opened the door for others to walk through.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We got a glimpse of the contenders on Tuesday. As expected at one of the state's most consistently strong programs, there's no shortage of excellent candidates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's always fun seeing a senior step up after waiting her turn. That looks like that might be happening for [player_tooltip player_id='555773' first='Liv' last='Barudin'], who shined on Tuesday, when there was put-away power at the opposite pin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PV has one of the state's best middle hitters in [player_tooltip player_id='555746' first='Clare' last='Yeggy'] and a whole lot of depth behind her. [player_tooltip player_id='752514' first='Brooklynn' last='Kelley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='773976' first='Rachel' last='McCaulley'] enjoyed strong performances at the Sizzle. I felt [player_tooltip player_id='789484' first='Avrielle' last='Ohda'] had a chance to make her mark as a sophomore this season heading into Tuesday's action and left the gym feeling even more confident that it will be the case. Another 10th-grader, [player_tooltip player_id='942780' first='Lola' last='Gardner'], also took a positive step forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans have a rock solid foundation in Yeggy, [player_tooltip player_id='490015' first='Mazie' last='Sweers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='493657' first='Addison' last='Allaman']. It will be interesting to see how the pieces fit around them as the season progresses. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the record, PV dominated its opponents at the Sizzle. Yes, the scores were secondary to development and rotation building, but the Spartans impressed against solid competition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>COUGARS COULD ROAR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kennedy brought two teams to the Sizzle this year. Cougar coach Doug Palmer wanted his program to get as many touches as possible and jump into the season with both feet. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top squad has a chance to be really good this fall if the kids gel and build chemistry. They have a good foundation from growing up in the program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Setter [player_tooltip player_id='555717' first='Kaycee' last='Cory'] is kind of a unicorn. She has the height and long arms of a middle hitter. It makes her a multi-dimensional force at a critical position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior [player_tooltip player_id='525829' first='Addison' last='Phillips'] has been one of the most consistently good middles in the Mississippi Valley Conference the last few years. She looked poised for a super final prep run. The same could be said about versatile outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='555707' first='Skyylan' last='Ousley']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars have an accomplished back rowers in [player_tooltip player_id='987319' first='Addison' last='Stallman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='621326' first='Dylan' last='Amling']. They should be even stronger on defense with [player_tooltip player_id='730456' first='Lextyn' last='Pankey'] appearing ready to contribute more in 2026. [player_tooltip player_id='826795' first='Keira' last='Mueller'], Liliana Hansen, [player_tooltip player_id='901609' first='Hayden' last='Scott'], [player_tooltip player_id='913911' first='Charley' last='Lovell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='840626' first='Maddie' last='Kray'] represent more quality depth and breakout potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>THE 'BURG BLOSSOMING</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williamsburg competes well across sports thanks to a strong collection of all-around athletes. That's the case once again with its volleyball team, as evidenced by a solid performance at The Sizzle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior middle [player_tooltip player_id='730449' first='Kylee' last='Suhr'] will, once again, be a serious problem for the WaMaC. She's expanded her game, becoming more proficient in the back row and finding success swinging from the pins. Her older sister, [player_tooltip player_id='589347' first='Clarissa' last='Suhr'], also has sharpened her skills through six rotations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Breakout seasons might be loading for versatile senior [player_tooltip player_id='843242' first='Keston' last='Spratt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='805918' first='Jordyn' last='Skaggs'], a junior. They could be joined in that endeavor by sophomore DS/L [player_tooltip player_id='782157' first='Maggie' last='Jensen'], who really played consistently well on Tuesday. The Raiders have a sound setter in [player_tooltip player_id='849192' first='Ellie' last='Nielsen'], who was out of the Sizzle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TROJANS HAVE HORSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like Williamsburg, South Tama will be scrapping in the rough and tumble WaMaC. The Trojans prepared by tangling with tough teams on Tuesday. They flashed potential for a memorable season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior [player_tooltip player_id='912453' first='Paisley' last='Bro'] and [player_tooltip player_id='769693' first='Stella' last='Zmolek'], a junior, will be two of the better players in the conference for 2026. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='806710' first='Maylee' last='Rucker'] is a year better after handing out almost 600 assists a year ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keinzle Boriskey, Mady Boriskey, [player_tooltip player_id='798628' first='Scout' last='Ridout'], [player_tooltip player_id='758514' first='Sydney' last='Arp'], [player_tooltip player_id='778002' first='Brylee' last='Nelson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='777355' first='Shelby' last='Johannsen'] all have breakout potential. If multiple players in that group do that, South Tama will be making noise. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->