Know These Names Now Before They Become Breakout Stars

The longest spring break ever. Schools been out since March, for some of these athletes they haven’t competed for their high school or club since February in any spot and the time has come to take the court. We’ve reported on the best of the best players, but who is next? We have some names to take note of in Iowa who might be ones who are the next household names. These athletes are bound for a breakout season! [player_tooltip player_id="79667" first="Claudia" last="Aschenbrenner"] - Osage (Title Photo) Class of 2023 Osage is loaded with experience and talent. Their Senior class has played in three state tournaments. Aschenbrenner is still the youngster on the squad even though she started as a middle blocker for the Green Devils last season. She is dynamic and physical where she can block and transition extremely hard to be available to attack. She’s played beach this past summer and is developing into more of an all around player and will only add to an already deadly Osage offense.   Molly Trachta - Johnston Class of 2023 Trachta is on the rise in the Class of 2023 as a setter out of Central Iowa. Dynamic and athletic, Trachta gained valuable experience this past club season and will be ready to walk in and run the show for the Dragons. She led the team with over 500 assists and also had her fill of kills. She is one to watch in this class of setters.   [player_tooltip player_id="79666" first="Ellie" last="Anderson"] - South Hardin Class of 2023 Anderson can flat out jump out of the gym. The electric outside will be a Sophomore and will look to build off a solid Freshman year where she had over 300 kills and nearly 200 digs. This could be a big year for SH and will be a force in a really competitive area where they will have to compete with some top Cedar Valley schools.   [player_tooltip player_id="103729" first="Emma" last="Cross"] - Des Moines Christian Class of 2022 I really like the arm and firepower that Cross provides her side of the net. She had a great showing for IPVA 16 Black and will step into a bigger role for Des Moines Christian this year where she will team with Northwestern (IA) commit [player_tooltip player_id="41242" first="Alysen" last="Dexter"] who is a big threat from the outside. Des Moines Christian fell one match short of the state tournament last year and has big goals to get to Cedar Rapids.   [player_tooltip player_id="79699" first="Jasmine" last="Namminga"] - Pella Class of 2023 Namminga had a big club season for Club Ignit 16 Blue which won the Triple Crown Invite this past February, one of the top tournaments in the country. She is dynamic, athletic, and extremely physical where she can block and score points as well. Pella is always a program to contend with and they once again will have athletes at every position with Namminga being a major part of their offense and defense.   [player_tooltip player_id="79245" first="Calliope" last="Coppola"] - Dowling Catholic Class of 2022 She’s 100% back. Coppola was a big part for Dowling’s state tournament run in 2018, came back from an ACL injury in 2019, and is poised for a big season in 2020 where she could swing from the pin and will be a primary passer in the backrow. Incredibly dynamic and well rounded, Coppola is one who can help the Maroons in a variety of ways. This team is going to be extremely deep and their practices I can imagine are very competitive with the amount of talent in their gym.   Delaney Bombei - Solon Class of 2023 Bombei will be one to watch for Solon who will look to make a resurgence in their area which is a loaded with volleyball talent. Nearly 6’0, Bombeii provides a major block on the right side as well as a scoring threat from each pin. She has an incredible upside that will be one to closely monitor the next few seasons.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://x.com/RiderVolleyball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RiderVolleyball</a> and <a href="https://x.com/UwoodEaglesVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UwoodEaglesVB</a> in an Iowa battle for the second Silver semifinal. 2024 OH Kenzie Dean with the huge swing! <a href="https://t.co/lEthqy4HHO">pic.x.com/lEthqy4HHO</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1284559802937618432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Kenzie Dean - Des Moines Roosevelt Class of 2024 Dean stole the show at the Prep Dig Omaha Summer Bash where she was swinging and scoring points against some of the top teams in Iowa and Nebraska. Roosevelt is a major sleeper who will look to knock off the suburban schools with the likes of Dean and Senior setter [player_tooltip player_id="41273" first="Maren" last="Palmer"]. It’s been a wild summer for Des Moines Public Schools this summer, but this Roosevelt team is definitely one to rally around this fall!   Annika Ivester - Cedar Rapids Xavier Class of 2023 Xavier has the household names in their Senior class that have been on the state tournament court the past two seasons, but a new name to know is Annika Ivester. She’s 6’4, long, and has gotten better each time she steps on the court. A major force defensively with her block, but offensively she knows the block is and can find a deep corner to score points. With weapons to score on each side of her, this completely changes the game for Xavier. If they can stay in system, they will be tough to stop.   [player_tooltip player_id="79687" first="Reagan" last="Jansen"] - Sioux Center Class of 2023 Northwest Iowa is never short on talent, especially in Sioux County. Sioux Center is always in the mix to compete with Unity, MOC, and Western. Jansen had a big Freshman season with nearly 300 kills and will be another rising attacker out of Northwest Iowa. She has a ton of force behind her swing as well as the physicality to power through a block on the split or outside hand.