Key Role Players and Dangerous Sleepers Heading Into Regionals

The post season is soon approaching for Iowa with regional pairings out and plenty of final tournaments for teams to build some momentum. A few points here or there make a big difference, especially for those teams who see each other multiple times throughout the year. Here are some teams and individuals who could make a big impact for their squad come late October.   Sydney Matthias - Wapsie Valley Wapsie Valley is going to be favored heading into the postseason as a highly ranked squad and finished second in the state in 2019. One up and coming athlete to know is Sydney Matthias who is leading the Warriors from the setter position. Last week against Hudson, Matthias showed how she can dish to multiple hitters with a variety of tempos. She’s scrappy and get her hands to the ball to give her side a chance to attack. Her play will be key heading into some big matches.   Clear Creek Amana The Clippers have an extremely dynamic and athletic squad and are sitting at 25-6 with Senior [player_tooltip player_id="41245" first="Hailey" last="Pollock"] and [player_tooltip player_id="17332" first="Calia" last="Clubb"] providing most of the offensive firepower. Clubb and Morgan Etscheidt played a big role in the CCA run to the state basketball tournament this past spring, defeating conference foe and heavily favored Marion. The have experience playing in big games and aren’t afraid to come up big in an underdog role. They could see another WaMac opponent in a regional final, West Delaware.   [player_tooltip player_id="79666" first="Ellie" last="Anderson"] - South Hardin Anderson is a Sophomore for South Hardin and has nearly 350 kills on the season. She’s got major hops and can attack from anywhere and score points. An outside like Anderson can take over a game and do some special things come postseason. She’s been on the receiving end of setter, Emma Slavo’s assists where Salvo has over 700 on the season. <img class=" wp-image-112271 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/10/DSC01130.jpg" alt="" width="533" height="355" /> West Delaware I was able to see West Delaware at the Westside Tournament in Cedar Rapids this past Saturday and what a system the Hawks have. The middles are able to take the ball right out of the hands of setter, [player_tooltip player_id="78487" first="Carlee" last="Smith"] where they are swinging right at her release. Tough to block while still honor the outsides. Ava Hauser has a big arm and can score points in bunches. They will have some big matches this week in the WaMac Conference Tournament which is comparable to a state tournament with the likes of Mount Vernon, Beckman, Independence, Marion, and more.   Underwood Senior Class Underwood has plenty of experience and that comes from a really talented Senior class. [player_tooltip player_id="79039" first="Peyton" last="Cook"] runs the show as a setter and her two favorite targets are Seniors as well in [player_tooltip player_id="79018" first="Zoe" last="Rus"] and [player_tooltip player_id="79017" first="Macy" last="Vanfossan"]. The Eagles will be looking to get to Cedar Rapids after a heartbreaking loss in the regional final in 2019. [caption id="attachment_107955" align="aligncenter" width="461"]<img class=" wp-image-107955" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/09/DSC00280.jpg" alt="" width="461" height="307" /> Hamann[/caption] Abby Hamann - Grundy Center Hamman just surpassed 800 kills for her career and has been key in the success of Grundy Center the past couple seasons. She’s got a big arm to go with massive hops where she can cut a variety of angles. The Spartans have the experience with Lainy Thoren as well as some Freshmen who are stepping up, especially outside hitter, Carlie Willis.   [player_tooltip player_id="79022" first="Kylie" last="Greenfield"] - Lake Mills Greenfield has been a constant for Lake Mills during her career. The six rotation outside hitter for the Bulldogs also passed 1,000 kills in her career and will look to lead her team to a deep postseason run. Greenfield is also to score from any rotation and has plenty of power with her swing. [caption id="attachment_112270" align="aligncenter" width="340"]<img class=" wp-image-112270" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/10/DSC03068-e1602704106989-300x266.jpg" alt="" width="340" height="303" /> Costello[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="102046" first="Annabelle" last="Costello"] - Davenport Assumption Assumption has a frontline full of plenty of power and height. Emma and [player_tooltip player_id="79708" first="Ava" last="Schubert"] are deadly whenever they can swing. Costello is the orchestrator of the offense with over 500 assists and 100 digs. She can get to the ball, keep the Knights in system, and “set” them up for success.   Shae Dillavou - Forest City Forest City took home the Top of Iowa Conference title over rival Lake Mills, their second in three years. Dillavou and Senior, Kaylee Miller have been the top attackers for the Indians who could be destined for a regional final against Osage, a former North Iowa Conference opponent.   Humboldt The Wildcats are 30-2 with their only losses coming to Osage and Waverly-Shell Rock, two top teams in their own class. The Senior trio of [player_tooltip player_id="79026" first="Jori" last="Hajek"], Kendal Clark, and Emily Zaugg have been the top attackers with Hajek being the top go to from all rotations with nearly 300 kills. Humboldt has a huge matchup with Clarion-Goldfield-Dows for the North Central Conference title on Thursday. Heading into regional play, Humboldt is one of the top seeds along with MOC-Floyd Valley.