Observations from Day 1 of Windy City NQ

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CHICAGO - </strong>The Windy City National Qualifier got underway Friday here at McCormick Place. Iowa was well represented at the event.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at who I was able to see in action:&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SIX PACK 16</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I finally was able to catch this squad for the first time this season, taking in a couple of matches. They topped Five: 1 16 Black in three sets and Chicago Elite in two. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='443092' first='Malia' last='Rogers'] is the headliner for this outfit. She's playing six rotations and has made strides as an overall performer since I saw her at the state tournament in November. Rogers' swing is lethal from the outside with her added vertical and power. There's a reason college coaches were surrounding her court on Friday.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rogers has plenty of help here. [player_tooltip player_id='758779' first='Kendall' last='Works'] is a sharp setter capable of delivering everything needed at the position. She also hits impressively on the right side when she gives way at setter to [player_tooltip player_id='493603' first='Miley' last='Geise'], who also gets the job done in feeding teammates.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six Pack boasts a pair of difference-makers in the middle. [player_tooltip player_id='754886' first='Taylen' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='746258' first='Adelynn' last='Goodell'] contribute as two-way players able to swing and turn back the attack with the block.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='490006' first='Harley' last='Askelsen'] gives opponents issues with her play on the right side. [player_tooltip player_id='754242' first='Piper' last='Smith'] is an explosive outside hitter that combines an impressive vertical leap with a mighty attack. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='555692' first='Gabrielle' last='Demmer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='569671' first='Logan' last='Ramstack'], a defensive specialist, hold down the back row.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SIX PACK 15</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eventually, I see most Iowa teams when all is said and done each club season. I scouted Six Pack 14s for the first time at the Northern Lights National Qualifier. I caught up with the 16s and 15s here.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 15s went 3-0 on Day 1. They took out Legacy 15-2 Adidas, Rock City 15 N1 and K1 Bayamon Wes 15, winning six of seven sets played. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This squad uses a tight rotation thanks to flexible athletes capable of playing all around the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='604510' first='Aleigha' last='Cahoy'] stands out with a killer swing from the pin and excellent actions in the back row. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dylan Harn played six rotations as a Bettendorf freshman in 2024. She improved since then in all aspects of her game. Jasmine Dodd also displayed the the skills to contribute all around the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor Kipp and Jenzen Klooster provide this team with a pair standouts in the middle. They're aggressive attackers and both throw up the block with authority. Klooster is effective on the right-side slide, too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elody England is a reliable setter that puts the ball where it needs to be more way more often than not. [player_tooltip player_id='775107' first='Erin' last='Steege'] takes charge with her play and leadership.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UNITED 16-2 ELITE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another team that I scouted in person for the first time this season on Friday, United 16-2 Elite is an interesting collection of talent. The club's 16-1 Elite team won the regional this year, so that tracks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caylin Miller stood out with her play right away and stayed consistent. She rolls through six rotations, shining equally at the pin and in the back row. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Julia Herring is an undersized outside that makes up for her lack of height with leaping ability and hang time. [player_tooltip player_id='765628' first='Lyla' last='Chandler'] is an interesting front-row player whose lefty swing works best on the right side, but she shows an ability to hit outside. Her long arms and athleticism are an asset defensively.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='751769' first='Benita' last='Anyanwu'] and Leah Sickels take care of the middle, and Emma Spengler and Nora Wilhelm are a sound setter duo. Libero duties are handled well by Kennedi Tyler.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>POWERPLEX 16 BROGEAN&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was good to get another look at this team after watching its run to the regional championship match. It features some of the state's top players, including [player_tooltip player_id='490013' first='Logan' last='Vogt'], [player_tooltip player_id='493601' first='Piper' last='Ladwig'] and [player_tooltip player_id='493973' first='Gwen' last='Farley'].&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday, I gained a greater appreciation for [player_tooltip player_id='443085' first='Avery' last='Edgington'] on the right side, [player_tooltip player_id='493609' first='Madison' last='Grover'] in the middle and setter [player_tooltip player_id='490002' first='Emma' last='Vanden Hull']. They both were super consistent with their responsibilities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PowerPlex set itself up to make some noise Saturday. It rolled to a 3-0 record, winning all six sets it played.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->