What High School Standouts Will Take On Iowa Top 250?
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It’s Top 250 Time. Some of the top players across the state will be heading to Grimes at the Ignit Athletic Facility to compete in front of Prep Dig Scouts and college coaches. Here is a quick look at some…
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Continue ReadingIt’s Top 250 Time. Some of the top players across the state will be heading to Grimes at the Ignit Athletic Facility to compete in front of Prep Dig Scouts and college coaches. Here is a quick look at some athletes across all classes coming to the event. I will be on site at Ignit providing plenty of pictures and video throughout the morning on my Twitter page @PrepDigChris Take a look at who is coming to compete.
2026
Reese Naeve Reese Naeve 5'9" | OH Iowa City Regina Catholic | 2026 State IA – Iowa City Regina – Iowa Rockets
Outside Hitter
Naeve had a big time freshman season at Regina where this program is on the rise. She is electric as an outside hitter, but is also one who is so solid when it comes to her backcourt game. She can serve receive, pass, and attack out of the backrow. Her future will have plenty of options where she could even be a really high level libero. She is one college coaches will want to star now and keep tabs for the next couple seasons before her official recruiting can start. One of the few freshmen in the state to earn All State honors.
Ella Derrer – Davenport Assumption – Iowa Select
Middle Blocker
One high school season complete and one state title in the bag for Derrer. This past season Derrer was a key piece for the state title run at Assumption where she was a really physical middle blocker. Watching Derrer live, she plays well beyond her years, only being a freshman. She can anticipate when it comes to getting to the pin to close the block, she knows how to find the open spot in the corner, and her ceiling is incredibly high.
Kaelyn Weiland – WDM Valley – Club Ignit Select
Setter/Pin
Weiland is one of the top all around players in the Class of 2026 in Iowa. This past fall she was an essential part to the West Des Moines Valley final four run where they were one point away from a regional final sweep to then playing in the semifinals. Weiland can set and swing on the right side. She has a great sense of the game and a high IQ for only being in her 15s season. These all around athletes will make for an electric environment at the Top 250.
2025
Zoey Belt Zoey Belt 5'7" | DS/L Indianola | 2025 State IA – Indianola – Iowa PowerPlex-515
Libero
Belt is part of a very talented sophomore group from Indianola where this team will be in the conversation for state titles the next couple of seasons. I was able to see Belt play live at the Windy City Qualifier and the USAV Nationals last club season where she could handle a tough serve, provide a consistent first contact, and had positive intangibles on the court. This 515 PowerPlex team will be really tough in 2023.
AK Christensen AK Christensen 5'10" | OH Carlisle | 2025 State IA – Carlisle – IPVA
Outside HItter
Huge season for Christensen at Carlisle where she notched over 200 kills in her sophomore season. She has the ability to play six rotations and has a live arm where she can hit a variety of angles. She will play this upcoming club season at IPVA out of Central Iowa. Carlisle is a high school squad to have on the radar and Christensen will be a huge piece to their success.
Abbey Hayes Abbey Hayes 6'2" | OH North Scott | 2025 State #82 Nation IA – North Scott – Six Pack
Outside Hitter
Hayes will be one of the top players in the gym on Saturday, she is a top prospect in the Class of 2025 out of Iowa where she had a huge season for North Scott, earning 1st Team All State honors in Class 4A. She has plenty of length and a lot of pop in her swing, she can also defend and attack out of the back court as well. Her Six Pack squad qualified in 15 Open last season and with the roster they have coming back, they have a good chance of doing that again.
Maddie Lafleur Maddie Lafleur 5'9" | S Heelan | 2025 State IA – Bishop Heelan – Kairos (SD)
Setter
Western Iowa will be well represented with a really talented athlete in Maddie Lafleur Maddie Lafleur 5'9" | S Heelan | 2025 State IA . The sophomore from Heelan has already played in two state tournaments. She plays club for Kairos out of Sioux Falls where they have produced some high level college players. LaFleur will be one to watch set and defend as her backcourt game is extremely strong.
Alexie Hogan Alexie Hogan 5'7" | DS/L Beckman Catholic | 2025 State IA – Beckman – CIA
Libero
I was able to see Hogan at the Mount Vernon Tournament over Labor Day. She was a really important part of this Beckman squad who qualified for the regional final. She commanded the backrow like a veteran. The athleticism from Hogan speaks for itself, she can get to the spot and deliver a consistent first contact.
Dakota Mitchell Dakota Mitchell 5'3" | DS/L Mid Prairie | 2025 State IA – Mid-Prairie – Six Pack
Libero
Mitchell is one of the top liberos in the Class of 2025, great foot work, quiet platform, and really strong court presence. She was a key piece in the success of a young, upstart Mid Prairie program who will be one to watch in the next couple season.
Aspen Nelson – Indianola – Iowa PowerPlex 515
Outside Hitter
Nelson is always going to be one of the top athletes on the court. Seeing her athleticism at the state tournament, it was apparent how she can make plays from anywhere. Offensively, she is an electric outside hitter who can score plenty of points. She was a Class 4A 2nd Team All State pick and is primed for a big club season. Her physicality to find a way to score points is definitely a huge plus to her game and she is also one who can get some big swings out of the back court.
Kate Shafer Kate Shafer S Eddyville-Blakesburg Fremont | 2025 State IA – Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont – Club Ignit Select
Setter
The twin duo of Kate and Mollly Shafer are now on the radar to Iowa after a final four appearance in Class 2A. Molly is the outside hitter with a big swing, but Kate is the one who keeps everyone going. She commands the offense and is able to get all of her teammates in a position to score points. The Club Ignit team she was part of last year had a really strong national tournament and will be gearing up for another run in 2023.
2024
Brittany Bacorn Brittany Bacorn 5'10" | S Knoxville | 2024 State IA – Knoxville – Club Ignit Select
Bacorn is one of the top available players in the Class of 2024 where she really knows how to run the show as a setter. She has great footwork and fast hands where she can get the ball to all of her attackers at multiple tempos. She also has the length at the front line to attack and block. Her dynamic skill set is very appealing at the next level where she can do so many positive things for her team.
Ava Czarnecki Ava Czarnecki 5'7" | OH Lisbon | 2024 State IA – Lisbon – Iowa Rockets
Czarnecki had a huge season for Lisbon where they advanced to the regional final. She had over 300 kills, earning Honorable Mention. A six-rotation outside, Czarnecki has no fear when it comes to taking a big swing on the outside. She can go line or cross and use the block to her advantage. She will play for Iowa Rockets this upcoming club season.
Kaylee Koudelka – North Polk – Iowa PowerPlex
Koudelka was an All District performer for North Polk where they advanced to the regional final in 2022. With over 250 kills and 60 blocks, Koudelka is someone who can make a big time impact at the net. She’s an athlete, she has great mobility where she can a lot done. She will play for PowerPlex this upcoming club season.
Kate Vondrak Kate Vondrak 6'0" | MB East Sac | 2024 State IA – East Sac County – NWI Premier
East Sac County is in a tough conference in West Central Iowa with the likes of Newell Fonda and South Central Calhoun. Vondrak earned All District honors in Class 2A with over 200 kills and 100 digs. She plays for a NWI Premier club team who has been sneaky good, climbing up the radar among some of the top teams in Iowa. This will be a great chance for Vondrak to compete against some of the best in the state.