The New Names, “Best of” From Day 1 of the State Tournament

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heading into the state tournament in regards to players, I know who is probably going to get a lot of swings, who will be the liberos who are so solid providing a consistent first contact, and the setters who run the show.  I know [player_tooltip player_id='79685' first='Cassidy' last='Hartman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='79678' first='Lily' last='Dykstra'] are going to get some kills, [player_tooltip player_id='79714' first='Avery' last='Van Hook'] is going to put up stats of every kind, and even upstart sophomores such as [player_tooltip player_id='215406' first='Abbey' last='Hayes'] of North Scott is going to score a lot of points.  However, what I get really excited about are the new names I get to know and see live for the first time. There are also teams, student sections, t-shirts, chants that are also superior.  Here is a quick visit of new names as well of the “Best of….” when it comes to day one of the Iowa Girls State Volleyball Tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1587428391141122049?s=20u0026t=GxMesFKEff-MDszz3R2B3g","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1587428391141122049?s=20&amp;t=GxMesFKEff-MDszz3R2B3g </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The New Names </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='168190' first='Tanith' last='Roush'] - Ankeny </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Junior - 5'11 Right Side</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seeing Roush approach and swing was impressive.&nbsp; She's really smooth and springy where she can get up, make a high hand contact, and score points.&nbsp; Having someone dynamic and athletic on the right side who is left handed can provide a lot of upside for any team.&nbsp; Ankeny had a tough day against Valley, but Roush was definitely one who stood out and I would think college coaches would have on the radar when the club season approaches.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaelyn Weiland - Valley </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Freshman - 5'10 Setter/Right Side</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Extremely dynamic, Weiland plays well beyond her age of being a freshman where she leads the team as a setter and attacker on the right side.&nbsp; She has great court presence where she plays cool, calm, and collected.&nbsp; With a big moment, she seems unphased and embraces that chance. She is a flat out playmaker where she can make something out of nothing.&nbsp; Valley is the Cinderella story where they were one point away from being swept by Johnston in the regional final to now being in the final four.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='193202' first='Tori' last='Runyan'] - Indianola </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Junior - 5'10 Setter</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have seen different Indianola players on the club circuit, but seeing them together last night was a treat.  This team lost a heartbreaker to Western Dubuque, but showed plenty of grit throughout the match.  Runyan runs a great offense, she is smooth with great footwork and hands.  She looks the part of a college level setter and connects will with her attackers.  Indianola is going to be looking to come back and play longer in the state tournament with a strong sophomore class that includes Aspen Nelson who had a great state tournament debut with 24 kills. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1587141691328401409?s=20u0026t=GxMesFKEff-MDszz3R2B3g","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1587141691328401409?s=20&amp;t=GxMesFKEff-MDszz3R2B3g </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lilah Van Scoyoc - Iowa City Liberty </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Senior - 5'11 RS </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've seen Van Scoyoc play for Liberty and on the club level, but yesterday she just looked like she was playing at another level.&nbsp; She was a big presence with her block and scored points during some big moments that really sparked the Bolts.&nbsp; Her physicality and athleticism have really improved where she would be a great late pick up as a front row attacker at the next level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isabelle Kremer - Pleasant Valley </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":241734,"width":528,"height":352,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/11/DSC07825.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-241734" width="528" height="352"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Freshman - 6'0 MB/RS </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I take a lot of pictures throughout the day for all teams and Kremer is smiling in every single one of them.&nbsp; She was having a ball playing in her first state tournament.&nbsp; Pleasant Valley has a great blend of experience and new faces who are looking really strong right now.&nbsp; Kremer is a really physical presence in the front row where she makes great hand contact every single time.&nbsp; For a 6'0 freshman, she moves well, she has a great feel for the game, and her on court intangibles are so positive.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Averie Lower - Clear Creek Amana</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Freshman - 5'11 OH </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was extremely impressed with Clear Creek Amana.&nbsp; I knew [player_tooltip player_id='168155' first='Bliss' last='Beck'] would put up big numbers, which her upside is crazy.&nbsp; Seeing freshman outside hitter Averie Lower was a lot of fun.&nbsp; Like Kremer, she was smiling and in her element playing on a big stage.&nbsp; She is an outside hitter who has the ability to play all the way around and has a really loose arm. Her potential is big.&nbsp; The in-state schools would love to get a head start on her and the state tournament is the perfect way to do so.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215425' first='Jaeden' last='Pratt'] - Ankeny Centennial </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sophomore - 5'11 MB </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pratt plays with such intensity and fire that its hard not to feel that…even on the sideline.&nbsp; Pratt celebrates with enthusiasm and fires up her Centennial squad.&nbsp; She is a middle blocker who is extremely active along the net.&nbsp; She's not afraid to take a big swing and was there multiple times with her block, including the final block to seal the deal for Centennial in set five.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Best Of….</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Student Section: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa City Liberty - probably the largest and the hometown crowd showed up for their squad</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Western Dubuque - always chanting, always loud, they get their whole crowd involved.  It's like they have practice for the student section. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1587254316926214145?s=20u0026t=GxMesFKEff-MDszz3R2B3g","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1587254316926214145?s=20&amp;t=GxMesFKEff-MDszz3R2B3g </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And shout out to Sioux City Heelan making the four hour plus trip and bringing a great group in costumes.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best State T-Shirt</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bondurant-Farrar - 90s Neon Diner Vibe</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Chant: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Too Much Protein” </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Team - Class 5A </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pleasant Valley - They looked soooooo solid and they have a complete team, very consistent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Team - Class 4A </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Xavier - no glaring weakness, passing is on point. North Scott is right there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Five Moments To Remember From Day 1: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><li>The IGHSAU recognizing Lisa Brinkmeyer before the start who is currently battling Brain Cancer.  A lot of emotion in the arena.  She is in the IGHSAU HOF as an athlete and a legend in her own regard as a person, what the “Iowa Girl” represents. </li><li>The National Anthem - Chills</li><li>Centennial's win in five over Dowling.  This was back and forth the whole time.  So much emotion.  Their team rushing the court was a moment. </li><li>The first ten points of the Liberty/Urbandale game.  I think even my heart was racing.  This is the first match ever with a team playing in their backyard with Iowa City Liberty.  There were nerves on both side and Urbandale took advantage, winning set one.  The back and forth part of the first set was extremely fast.  The moment is one that is historical for the IGHSAU and I know the athletes are part of the moment, but will soon be one they won't forget. </li><li>The Final Class 4A Matches.  CCA wins in five over Marion and Western Dubuque wins in five probably 20 minutes later on the other court. </li></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1587440255254368256?s=20u0026t=GxMesFKEff-MDszz3R2B3g","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1587440255254368256?s=20&amp;t=GxMesFKEff-MDszz3R2B3g </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1587272902835044353?s=20u0026t=q9JGaT9IKLUqgl7eyoXnZQ","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1587272902835044353?s=20&amp;t=q9JGaT9IKLUqgl7eyoXnZQ </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->