Iowa Eighth-Graders Impacting Action in 2026

<!-- 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><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/09/pd-iowa-team-rankings-class-4a-week-3-super-16/">PD Iowa Team Rankings: Class 4A Week 3 Super 16</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/09/pd-iowa-team-rankings-class-5a-week-3-super-16/">PD Iowa Team Rankings: Class 5A Week 3 Super 16</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Admittedly, I have mixed thoughts when it comes to eighth-graders competing in Iowa high school sports outside of softball and baseball for the first time this school year. If a student-athlete can hang with the older kids, they'll mostly likely be better for it in the long run from an athletic standpoint, I guess. And if it's a positive experience for all involved, that's good, too. So, let's do that. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The rule arrived this fall with folks wondering how it would shake out. In volleyball, schools throughout the state have taken advantage of their eighth-graders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at who has stood out in that group so far: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1043001"],"_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-6aad7979cb830"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McColley has gotten her high school career off to a fine start with with 174 assists (32 sets), which led all eighth-graders in the state heading into this weekend. She added eight kills (.304), 50 digs and three blocks. At 5-feet-7 already, McColley brings attractive height to the position. Her statistics tell the story of a well-rounded volleyballer that can handle herself around the court, setting up points, ending them and digging up plays in the back row. Clear Lake is a school that develops a lot of excellent athletes, and McColley looks to be one of the next in line. She does not yet have video of her playing posted publicly, but that should be on the to-do list for college coaches. McColley also is a talented softball prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1043006"],"_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-6aad7d937b4d2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Right off the top, before even stepping on the court, Steege has at least a few things going for her. One, she plays for one of the most consistently competitive prep programs in the state. Two, her surname is recognizable in Iowa volleyball circles. That's why it's not surprising to see the eighth-grader contributing on the Sumner-Fredericksburg varsity in 2026. Through her first 36 sets, Steege had recorded 61 kills, 27 digs and 4.0 blocks for the IGHSAU's 10th-ranked team in Class 2A this week. She's prepared for the moment by playing club volleyball on a high level with Six Pack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1002745"],"_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-6aad7d937b542"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I wrote about Murch three months ago when watching her compete at the USAV Nationals in Indianapolis. She was playing up with 14U for a team that enjoyed one of the most successful seasons among Iowa squads in that age group. Hailing from a volleyball family, Murch's ability take on setter duties as an eighth-grader this fall has helped a reloading Denver outfit by letting her older sister expand her game beyond the position as a hitter. Murch shows a great feel for the game, flowing smoothly with the match action and being in the right position to make plays. Her setting is precise and the defense is strong overall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1003009"],"_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-6aad7ead5b05b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If Denver volleyball is thankful for anything this season, it's the Murch family. Lucy's sisters are setters on the squad. She has stepped in as the starting libero as an eighth-grader for the two-time defending Class 2A state champions that were ranked seventh in this week's poll. I saw Murch playing up with the 14Us this summer at the USAV Nationals in Indianapolis and was impressed with her advanced feel for the game. She is locked in when she lines up in the back row, playing with confidence and a deep bag of skills. Murch is technically sound with a solid platform. She's a kid colleges want to get into the their recruiting data base yesterday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1043023"],"_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-6aad807774223"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mid-Prairie graduated plenty of production from last year's team that reached the state tournament for the second season in a row. The Golden Hawks are reloading with a solid group of returnees, student-athletes increasing their roles from 2025 and young players hitting the ground running. Flynn fits nicely into the latter category. The eighth-grader had 18.0 kills, 14.0 blocks and 17 digs early in her first high school season. She's competing against top competition and holding her own. Already 5-foot-9, Flynn stands up physically with plenty of room to grow. She should receive the coaching needed to maximize her natural gifts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->