Prep Dig 2023 Class 4A All-State Team

Class 4A was one of the deepest groups in the state this season. We saw evidence of it during the state tournament, where fourth-seeded North Scott knocked off No. 2 Indianola in the championship match.   A wealth of individual talent fueled the outstanding play in the class. So many great players made their case for for being on our Prep Dig all-state teams.   Here's a look at the group we're recognizing with the understanding some really good performers were left off of it:   FIRST-TEAM   [player_tooltip player_id='215406' first='Abbey' last='Hayes'], '25, OH, North Scout   The Creighton commitment helped the [program_tooltip program_id='431978' first='Lancers' last=''] capture their first state championship since 1985. Hayes is a joy to watch if you enjoy this game. She stands out the most for her swing from the outside but she's a really good athlete capable of shining through six rotations. She produced 309 kills (.281 efficiency), 217 digs and 27.0 blocks as a junior. She'll embark on her senior season with 669 kills, 405 digs and 54.0 blocks after two varsity years.   [player_tooltip player_id='168155' first='Bliss' last='Beck'], '24, MH, Clear Creek Amana   Off to Drake next season, Beck capped a wonderful career with a sensational senior season leading her team to the state tournament for a second year in a row. She became a better overall volleyball player during her last year and is poised for a productive college career. As a 12th-grader her 420 kills were the third most in 4A and her .464 efficiency led the class as did her 116.0 blocks. She completed her prep run with 828 kills and 230.0 blocks.   [player_tooltip player_id='215392' first='Libby' last='Fandel'], '25, OH, Xavier   The Saints lost quite a bit of talented off of their '22 championship team but they returned to the state tournament thanks in large part to Fandel's exploits. She's an explosive athlete who also thrives on the basketball court. In volleyball, she marries that natural ability with refined skills and a keen understanding of the game. Her 414 kills (.238) this season ranked fourth in 4A. She finished third on her team in digs (214) and blocks (41.0) as well. She embarks on her final season with 974 kills, 481 digs and 110.0 blocks.   [player_tooltip player_id='215458' first='Brooke' last='Larsen'], '25, S, Lewis Central   Larsen impressed me with her play during the Iowa City High tournament and took it to another level at Xtream Arena in Coralville. The Titans reached the state semifinals there, dropping a tough, five-setter to Indianola with Larsen shining all around the court. Consider, she provided 331 assists, 303 kills (.229), 230 digs and 45.0 blocks. That's getting it done and doing whatever your team needs to succeed. In three years as a varsity starter, she's accumulated 1,067 assists. She's been a strong setter since the jump, and improved her hitting and blocking in '23.   [player_tooltip player_id='168156' first='Meg' last='Berkland'], '24, L, Clear Creek Amana   Berkland teamed up with Bliss helping build the Clippers into one of the state's top programs the last two seasons. The senior established herself as one of the best liberos among Iowa preps. She proved to be a wall in the back row, handling pace and turning it into usable passes. In '23, She paced 4A with 531 digs, which were the 10th-best total among players in all classes. She chipped in with 86 assists. She ended up with 1,778 digs during her high school career, adding 271 assists. More colleges should be in pursuit here.   [player_tooltip player_id='193202' first='Tori' last='Runyan'], 25, S, Indianola   Runyan engineered Indianola's run to the state championship match as a well-rounded setter. Her 1,106 assists were the most in 4A and the second most among all classes in Iowa. Not a one-trick pony, the junior added 103 kills (.335), 205 digs and 22.0 blocks. She takes advantage of multiple strong hitters by understanding where they like the ball and consistently setting it there. In three years of varsity play, Runyan has 2,304 assists, 202 kills, 449 digs and 46.0 blocks.   SECOND-TEAM   [player_tooltip player_id='217136' first='Maliyah' last='Hacker'], '25, OH, Heelan   Hacker followed up a breakout sophomore campaign with a strong junior year. Here 460 kills (.246) were the most in 4A and the 13th most among all players in the state. She contributed beyond that, ranking second among the Crusaders in digs (274) and blocks (51.0).   [player_tooltip player_id='168180' first='Natalee' last='Hartman'], '24, L, Marion   Hartman ranked second to Berkland among 4A performers with 478 digs in '23, helping the Wolves reach the state tournament for a third year in a row. She stacked up 1,447 digs during her outstanding prep career, adding 235 assists.   [player_tooltip player_id='168192' first='Noelle' last='Sutcliffe'], '24, OH, Norwalk   Sutcliffe helped the Warriors reach the state tournament for the first time in school history. Her 435 kills (.254) ranked second to Hacker in 4A. She also piled up 271 digs and 31.0 blocks. She wrapped up a tremendous high school career with 1,224 kills, 1,140 digs and 107.0 blocks.   [player_tooltip player_id='206931' first='Kaci' last='Johnson'], '24, OH, North Scott   Hayes' sky-high ability overshadowed Johnson at times, but the senior played a huge role in helping North Scott win it all. She dished out 432 assists, cranked out 171 kills, totaled 246 digs and accumulated 43.0 blocks in '23. Those statistics all jumped up significantly from her junior season.   Madison Siefken, '24, S, ADM   ADM reached the state tournament for the first time since '05 thanks in large part to Siefken's contributions. She finished third in 4A with 864 assists. She chipped in with 129 digs and 31.0 blocks. She increased her assist total by almost 600 from her junior year.   [player_tooltip player_id='215470' first='Camryn' last='Overton'], '25, Indianola   Overton pounded out 401 kills, the sixth most in 4A. She added 134 digs and 35.0 blocks. Her kill total this fall was an increase of 150 from last season. Overton displays a powerful operation from her leaping ability to her hang time to her swing.

Class 4A was one of the deepest groups in the state this season. We saw evidence of it during the state tournament, where fourth-seeded North Scott knocked off No. 2 Indianola in the championship match.