Class of 2019 Not So Under The Radar Athletes You Love To Watch

<p><span style="font-weight: 400">The Class of 2019 has some players heading to some of the top volleyball programs in the country.  [player_tooltip player_id="16964" first="Madi" last="Kubik"], the top prospect coming out of the state of Iowa is heading to Nebraska followed by [player_tooltip player_id="16966" first="Kenna" last="Sauer"] going to Missouri and [player_tooltip player_id="40467" first="Megan" last="Renner"] to Purdue.  Some extreme heavy hitters who have made a big name for themselves on the high school courts as well as the club ranks. However here are a few names that are not only making it on the hardcourt, but have found success in other sports, or just have quietly made their impact in their area and across the state.  Here are a few members from the Class of 2019 you need to know about. </span></p> [caption id="attachment_40445" align="alignright" width="300"] [player_tooltip player_id="40750" first="Madison" last="Harms"][/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="40750" first="Madison" last="Harms"] - Nebraska Elite - Sergeant Bluff-Luton </strong></p> <p><strong>Committed To South Dakota</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">One of the top middle blockers coming out of Iowa where she was able to play in multiple state tournaments for Sergeant Bluff-Luton.  So quick laterally and a sneaky snap on her swing she is a strong all around front row player. Oh, and she happens to be the reigning state high jump champion in Class 4A with a jump of 5'6. </span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="40747" first="Madison" last="Larson"] - Flight - Independence</strong></p> <p><strong>Committed To Winona State</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">Who is this girl and where is she going?  Watching the Class 4A state tournament matchup between Independence and Dubuque Wahlert has got to be one of the best matches I saw the whole high school season (and I saw a lot of matches).  Larson was so dynamic for Independence, scoring from everywhere on the court. She even busted out the nasty topspin jump serve to score some points. Even though Independence lost that match in five sets, Larson's performance was one to remember.  34 kills on 73 attempts and only seven errors along with 14 digs. Wow. No one likes to end their season on a loss, only one team gets to do that, but this was such an example of leaving everything on the court. </span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Like I said before the top spin jump serve is making a comeback. <a href="https://x.com/IndeeVolleyball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndeeVolleyball</a> wins set two 29-27 <a href="https://t.co/APv6A6umLx">pic.x.com/APv6A6umLx</a></p> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1059971143552172037?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2018</a></blockquote> <p></p> <p><strong>Lily Liekweig - Flight - Janesville</strong></p> <p><strong>Committed to Wichita State</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">I always wonder if the Janesville team has to ask, “Now, was that the year we won our second or third state title?” Janesville has been the queens of the court in Class 1A and a big part of that was the incredibly talented Senior class, but the libero of the crew was Liekweig who is going to be a Shocker for Wichita State.  Just a gritty, scrappy player that every team needs. One who is going to make the routine plays look easy and have those digs where the opposing team for sure thinks its hitting the floor. A game changer to say the least. </span></p> <p><strong>The Cedar Rapids Girls</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="40767" first="Maddy" last="Baxter"] - CR Jeff - Adrenaline - Committed to Drake</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="40754" first="Kaylee" last="Donner"] - CR Jeff - Iowa PowerPlex - Committed To UNI</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="40778" first="Akeela" last="Jefferson"] - Xavier - Adrenaline - Committed To South Dakota State</strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="40801" first="Raya" last="George"] - Xavier - Adrenaline - Committed To Tennessee Tech </strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="40781" first="Sydney" last="Kloubec"] - CR Jeff - Adrenaline - Committed to Indian Hills </strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">These athletes have been playing together or against each other most of their volleyball careers.  Cedar Rapids Jefferson has risen to new levels with in the state due to the strong Senior class where Baxter, Donner, and Kloubec were a major part of.  [player_tooltip player_id="40778" first="Akeela" last="Jefferson"] was an outside hitter for Xavier while George was rehabbing from a knee injury enroute to a state runner-up finish in Class 4A. Whenever I see these athletes play they just seem to have a smile on their face, they play under control, a chill vibe, and love the game.  A group like this is tough to come by, but they have all served as role models for the volleyball community in Cedar Rapids. </span></p> <p><strong>Corinna Timmermans - Unity Christian - Committed to Dordt</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">Timmermans had 18 kills in the championship match against fellow Northwest Iowa rival Western Christian.  The top kill leader in the Class 2A field, all tournament team, and one in a long line of top players coming from tradition rich Unity Christian out of Orange City.  Not only was she a top volleyball player, but she was able to finish her basketball career at the state tournament for Unity where she averaged 10 points per game. She will be staying in Sioux County and heading to another volleyball powerhouse in Dordt College who makes it a yearly tradition to finish their season at the Tyson Events Center at the NAIA National Championships. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400"><strong>MaKayla Geise - Roland Story - IPVA - Committed to Valparaiso</strong> </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">Geise was one of the top athletes out of Central Iowa this year.  Tallying over 400 kills this past fall in volleyball and over 1000 kills for her career, she was able to play with her younger sister and have her mom as a coach, a family affair.  Geise was also able to play in the state basketball tournament for Roland Story. </span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Looking for a great way to prepare your team for Nationals or end your season on a high note? Look no further than the Prep Dig Gauntlet!<br /> <br /> The Gauntlet will provide exposure and media coverage to players at all levels! <br /> <br /> 📅 5/31 - 6/2<br /> 📍 Madison, WI<br /> 💻 <a href="https://t.co/8Czy3zkGYt">https://t.co/8Czy3zkGYt</a> <a href="https://t.co/HJ1DQmFNjm">pic.x.com/HJ1DQmFNjm</a></p> — Prep Dig (@PrepDig) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDig/status/1111410589585162240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2019</a></blockquote> <p></p>