4A Regional Previews, Players to Watch

<a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/10/5a-regional-previews-players-to-watch/">5A Regional Previews, Players to Watch</a>   A fun season in Class 4A barrels into the playoffs Tuesday night around the state. Regional champs will be crowned a week later, those teams making up the state tournament field.   Here's a look at how each region shapes up (Click on region to view bracket):   <a href="https://www.gobound.com/ia/ighsau/vb/2024-25/brackets/h20240930073415175b36bf993096846">Region 1</a>   Favorite: Cedar Rapids Xavier (26-4)   Others: Charles City, Independence, Waverly-Shell Rock, Decorah, Waterloo East   Players to Watch: Josie Smith, Xavier;  [player_tooltip player_id='215392' first='Libby' last='Fandel'], Xavier; [player_tooltip player_id='329851' first='Macie' last='Lupkes'], Xavier; [player_tooltip player_id='215391' first='Taylor' last='Rexroth'], Xavier; [player_tooltip player_id='215394' first='Carissa' last='Timmerman'], Xavier; [player_tooltip player_id='215386' first='Carley' last='Jonker'], Xavier; [player_tooltip player_id='455737' first='Sofia' last='Parrott'], Charles City; Mya Rimrod, Charles City; [player_tooltip player_id='462729' first='Jadyn' last='Van Horn'], Charles City; Addison Ellis, Charles City; Anya Ruzicka, Charles City; Lizzy Frazell, Waverly-Shell Rock; Kennedy Weichers, Waverly-Shell Rock; Sydney Bienemann, Waverly-Shell Rock; Delilah Kroymann, Waverly-Shell Rock; Morgan Ristvedt, Independence; Jersey Coonrad, Independence; Sarah Greiner, Independence; Sophia McGarvey, Independence; Charlee Carrier, Waterloo East; Charlee Carrier, Waterloo East; McKinley Massman, Decorah; Dylin Thompson, Decorah; Ellie Rolfs, Decorah.   Outlook: Xavier is the top overall seed in 4A and should navigate its way back to the state tournament unless it experiences a down performance and somebody like Charles City rises up. Fandel is headed to Kansas for basketball but ranks as one of the state's best volleyball players. Lupkes is a high-upside middle hitter just starting to reach her potential. Jonker and Rexroth are dependable veterans. Charles City's Rimrod shines through six rotations, and the Comets have sound contributors in Parrott and Ruzicka.   <a href="https://www.gobound.com/ia/ighsau/vb/2024-25/brackets/h202409300749292112288a4b4b80747">Region 2</a>   Favorite: Bishop Heelan (39-3)   Others: MOC-Floyd Valley, LeMars, Spencer, [program_tooltip program_id='428931' first='Storm' last=''] Lake, Fort Dodge   Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='389834' first='Ava' last='Lloyd'], Heelan; Addison Kleis, Heelan; Maddie LaFleur, Heelan; [player_tooltip player_id='217136' first='Maliyah' last='Hacker'], Heelan; [player_tooltip player_id='493980' first='Melina' last='Snoozy'], Heelan; [player_tooltip player_id='389836' first='Ireland' last='Jackson'], Heelan; Abby Lee, Heelan; [player_tooltip player_id='573313' first='Deviryn' last='McCarty'], MOC-Floyd Valley; Addy Leusink, MOC-FLoyd Valley; Kaylor Cleveringa, MOC-Floyd Valley; [player_tooltip player_id='523160' first='Lily' last=''] Vander Pol, MOC-Floyd Valley; Ady Jeltema, MOC-Floyd Valley; Kiera Brown, Spencer; Addison Hoben, Spencer; Madison Steven, Spencer; Lauren Horst, Spencer; Aubree Leusink, LeMars; [player_tooltip player_id='730690' first='Holly' last='McNaughton'], LeMars; Meah McCaleb, Fort Dodge; [player_tooltip player_id='523161' first='Cadence' last=''] Touney, Fort Dodge; LJ Maehl, Fort Dodge; Avery DeHaan, [program_tooltip program_id='428931' first='Storm' last=''] Lake; Mackenzie Harder, [program_tooltip program_id='428931' first='Storm' last=''] Lake; Grace Kenkel, [program_tooltip program_id='428931' first='Storm' last=''] Lake; Maddy Raveling, [program_tooltip program_id='428931' first='Storm' last=''] Lake.   Outlook: Another heavy favorite, Heelan looks for a return to the state tournament after missing out last season. It would be the Crusaders third trip this decade. They bring a lot of star power to the competition. Hacker and LaFleur are returning all-staters, and Lloyd also is enjoying that type of season. Jackson is tremendous in the back row, and Snoozy is a rising sophomore middle with a high ceiling. MOC-Floyd Valley and [program_tooltip program_id='428931' first='Storm' last=''] Lake look like the most viable challengers for Heelan. The former is led by a do-it-all freshman in McCarty, and the latter has a similar performer in the junior class in DeHaan.   <a href="https://www.gobound.com/ia/ighsau/vb/2024-25/brackets/h2024093007525601806fb9d2443a644">Region 3</a>   Favorite: North Scott (27-4)   Others: Grinnell, Central DeWitt, Clinton, North Polk, Mason City   Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='215406' first='Abbey' last='Hayes'], North Scott; McKenzie Moeller, North Scott; [player_tooltip player_id='215767' first='Emee' last='Allard'], North Scott; [player_tooltip player_id='389008' first='Addison' last='Allen'], North Scott; [player_tooltip player_id='261052' first='Ainsley' last='Haedt'], North Scott; [player_tooltip player_id='538930' first='Lainey' last='Wall'], North Scott; [player_tooltip player_id='785828' first='Paige' last='Coon'], North Scott; [player_tooltip player_id='555788' first='Kendra' last='Nolton'], Grinnell: Mackenzie McClelland, Grinnell; Kennedy Harms, Grinnell;  Isabel Hart, Grinnell; Reagan Stensrud, Grinnell; Joselyn Petersen, Clinton; Avery Luett, Clinton; [player_tooltip player_id='503389' first='Briana' last='Clark'], Central DeWitt; [player_tooltip player_id='555777' first='Quinn' last='Schroeder'], Central DeWitt; Sydney McNealy, Central DeWitt;  Lily Clausen, Mason City; Neah Bunkers, North Polk; Jenna Krantz, North Polk; Becca Aagard, North Polk; Qwynn Nerem, North Polk.   Outlook: Defending state champion North Scott boasts the firepower to repeat. It would take a pretty big upset from Grinnell or North Polk to keep the [program_tooltip program_id='431978' first='Lancers' last=''] from their sixth consecutive trip to the state tournament. Hayes has an argument for being the top senior in Iowa, and Moeller is one of the best juniors. Allard joins them in being a well-rounded performer. Haedt is a reliable libero, and the same can be said about Allen at setter. Grinnell's Nolton is one of the more underrated sophomores, McClelland contributes all around the court and Isabel Hart is a sound setter. Bunkers, Krantz and Aargard are a talented trio that give North Polk a chance.   <a href="https://www.gobound.com/ia/ighsau/vb/2024-25/brackets/h20240930075329839850bb11428da41">Region 4</a>   Favorite: Clear Creek Amana (35-7)   Others: Ballard, Mount Pleasant, Fort Madison, Dallas Center Grimes-Gilbert   Players to Watch:  [player_tooltip player_id='361168' first='Averie' last='Lower'], CCA; [player_tooltip player_id='243457' first='Emily' last='Henderson'], CCA; [player_tooltip player_id='517585' first='Sariah' last='Sherman'], CCA; Elizabeth Timmerman, CCA; [player_tooltip player_id='523168' first='Kylie' last=''] Koehn, CCA; [player_tooltip player_id='493660' first='Bailey' last='Simpson'], CCA; [player_tooltip player_id='389077' first='Brenna' last='Baumgardner'], Ballard; Hailey Estrem, Ballard; [player_tooltip player_id='474081' first='Payton' last='Askelsen'], Ballard; Emerson Engstler, Ballard; Dayonna Davis, Fort Madison; Mara Smith, Fort Madison; [player_tooltip player_id='521584' first='Addison' last='Clark'], Mount Pleasant; Alex Scott, Mount Pleasant; Evie Christenson, Gilbert; Lila Kruckenberg, Gilbert; Emma Latterell, Gilbert; Maliya Carlson, DCG; [player_tooltip player_id='394331' first='Maggie' last='Leifker'], DCG; [player_tooltip player_id='508928' first='Landry' last='Glasgow'], DCG; [player_tooltip player_id='493973' first='Gwen' last='Farley'], DCG; [player_tooltip player_id='729146' first='Anna' last='Jackson'], DCGDeja Jackson, DCG.   Outlook: Clear Creek Amana underwent a lot of changes after reaching the last two state tournaments, but the Clippers are once again positioned for a return trip to Coralville. Lower and Henderson are dynamic, six-rotation performers. Sherman and Simpson are two-way presences at the net, and Koehn is steady in the back row. Ballard and DCG are dangerous teams in this region. Baumgardner and Askelsen stand out for the former, while Leifker and Farley give the latter two of Iowa's best sophomores.   <a href="https://www.gobound.com/ia/ighsau/vb/2024-25/brackets/h2024093007535702413b78e3f98b349">Region 5</a>   Favorite: Lewis Central (24-8)   Others: Sergeant Bluff-Luton, Carroll, Denison-Schleswig, Webster City, Boone   Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='215458' first='Brooke' last='Larsen'], Lewis Central; [player_tooltip player_id='572668' first='Jacey' last='Young'], Lewis Central; [player_tooltip player_id='215459' first='Maddie' last='Roenfeld'], Lewis Central; Emary Cooper, Lewis Central; Jordyn Matiyow, Lewis Central; Mallory Wohlers, Lewis Central; [player_tooltip player_id='389844' first='Bre' last='VanDenTop'], SBL;  Bailey Ball, SBL; [player_tooltip player_id='493652' first='Kaitlyn' last='Hardie'], SBL; Madison Kvidera, SBL; Gaby Cardenas, DS; Emily Gehlsen, DS; Mayah Slater, DS; [player_tooltip player_id='730711' first='Olivia' last='Rowedder'], Carroll; Katelyn Aden, Carroll; Marasyn Wittrock, Carroll; Jenna Johnson, Boone; Addie Tungesvik, Boone; Marissa Hedeen, Webster City; Olivia Gallentine, Webster City; Tristyn Wright, Webster City.   Outlook: Lewis Central upset Xavier in the first-round of last year's state tournament before losing a five-setter to Indianola in the semifinals. The Titans are built for another run with South Dakota State commitment Larsen impacting matches all around the court. Roenfeld is a reliable veteran, and Young and Cooper are freshmen to know. VanDenTop can dominate, giving Sergeant Bluff-Luton a chance at winning the region, and Webster City is a squad that can make some noise Gallentine leading the way.   <a href="https://www.gobound.com/ia/ighsau/vb/2024-25/brackets/h2024093007563608438048af1366849">Region 6</a>   Favorite: Pella (37-7)   Others: Norwalk, Burlington, Keokuk, Bondurant-Farrar, Newton   Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='389942' first='Katie' last='Scheckel'], Pella; [player_tooltip player_id='753905' first='Brooke' last='Schulte'], Pella; Emma Eekhoff, Pella; Claire Smock, Pella; Abbie Brand, Pella; Kelsey Tauke, Pella; Elle' Hatlevig, Norwalk; [player_tooltip player_id='490003' first='Emmory' last='Toppenberg'], Norwalk; [player_tooltip player_id='443091' first='Jillian' last='Hammond'], Norwalk; [player_tooltip player_id='493974' first='Hadley' last='Michael'], Norwalk; [player_tooltip player_id='443087' first='Dakota' last='Poen'], Norwalk; Camryn Atterberg, Keokuk; [player_tooltip player_id='730717' first='Annalise' last='Buxton'], Burlington; Sela Rascon, Burlington; Sophia Young, Burlington; Delaney Woollums, Newton; Chloe Swank, Newton; Nora Dodson, BF; [player_tooltip player_id='261069' first='Grace' last='Wignall'], BF; [player_tooltip player_id='261069' first='Grace' last='Wignall'], BF; [player_tooltip player_id='448156' first='Kai' last='Arens'], BF.   Outlook: Pella earned the top position on the strength of a season full of impressive wins. If the Dutch plays to that level, a trip to the state tournament seems likely. Scheckel and Schulte form a dynamic duo capable of leading the squad on a deep postseason run. Norwalk and fabulous freshman Hatlevig are a serious threat, however. Dodson and the Bluejays are talented with potential to be a dark horse.   <a href="https://www.gobound.com/ia/ighsau/vb/2024-25/brackets/h20240930075741046156fb98a7d0f44">Region 7</a>   Favorite: Glenwood (34-6)   Others: ADM, Perry, Creston, Winterset, Des Moines Hoover   Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='214507' first='Charley' last='Hernandez'], Glenwood; [player_tooltip player_id='730673' first='Allison' last='Koontz'], Glenwood; [player_tooltip player_id='754245' first='Kaylee' last='Wray'], Glenwood; [player_tooltip player_id='730696' first='Ilsa' last='Kemling'], Glenwood; Rylie Kendall, Glenwood; [player_tooltip player_id='506123' first='London' last='Warmuth'], ADM; [player_tooltip player_id='261063' first='Elise' last='Coghlan'], ADM; [player_tooltip player_id='261081' first='Madi' last='James'], ADM; [player_tooltip player_id='523159' first='Macy' last=''] Person, ADM; [player_tooltip player_id='575153' first='Jaycee' last='Hanson'], Creston; Charity Parnell, Perry; Madison Stika, Perry; Par Len, Hoover; Zoey Breeding, Winterset; Klaire Seidler, Winterset; Makenna Olson, Winterset; Dottie Reed, Winterset.   Outlook: Hernandez can do it all, and the Glenwood roster is talented beyond the all-stater. Koontz is a fabulous setter. Warmuth is at the top of scouting reports as a player capable of doing damage, and ADM could navigate this region. Coghlan stands out at setter. With Breeding, Seidler and company, Winterset could make a run.   <a href="https://www.gobound.com/ia/ighsau/vb/2024-25/brackets/h202409300758153467f60ea0d997947">Region 8</a>   Favorite: Carlisle (23-9)   Others: Marion, Knoxville, Oskaloosa, Western Dubuque, Maquoketa   Players to Watch: [player_tooltip player_id='196422' first='AK' last='Christensen'], Carlisle; [player_tooltip player_id='215424' first='Sydney' last='Light'], Carlisle; Ava Chanthavong, Carlisle; Abby Barry, Carlisle; Emma Robinson, Carlisle; [player_tooltip player_id='447490' first='Carlee' last='Webber'], Marion; [player_tooltip player_id='215432' first='Joslynn' last='Mehaffy'], Marion; [player_tooltip player_id='754002' first='Braelin' last='Wieseler'], Marion; [player_tooltip player_id='753986' first='Grace' last='Whalen'], Marion; [player_tooltip player_id='538925' first='Chelsea' last='Goudzwaard'], Marion; Gracie DeRonde, Oskaloosa; Haylee Parker, Oskaloosa; Jordyn Counts, Knoxville; [player_tooltip player_id='493967' first='Abbie' last='Keitges'], Knoxville; Addison Dunkin, Knoxville; Hadley Ihrig, Maquoketa; Cora Widel, Maquoketa; Lola Quagliano, Western Dubuque; Jacinda McDermott, Western Dubuque; Gabbie Demmer, Western Dubuque; [player_tooltip player_id='493984' first='Kyla' last='Ramler'], Western Dubuque.   Outlook: Region 8 could be a wild ride with a lot of travel. Christensen, an Eastern Michigan recruit, leads a Carlisle squad that's posted key wins in '24. Marion is always a threat for a state run, and Webber is one of the class's better performers. Western Dubuque is tested after playing a schedule filled with 5A teams. Quagliano is a freshman setter with a bright present and future.

5A Regional Previews, Players to Watch