Notes, Observations: Prep Dig Iowa Midwest Live Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLIVE, Iowa - </strong>For two hours Friday, student-athletes from around the state enjoyed valuable volleyball reps during a fast-paced Midwest Live Showcase. From position drills through scrimmages, everyone competed at a high level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was fun to observe some of you again and others for the first time. You all made it a great event. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I almost passed on attending it. Our daughter was graduating on Saturday. But our other daughter would be able to participate in her first Prep Dig event, so we went for it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anyway, that's going to limit content produced by me on Saturday. But, rest assured, more of it will arrive in the coming days. And Austin Kingsley will be producing excellent stuff as well, so keep checking back here at Prep Dig Iowa. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before I get ready for an emotional day with family, here are my notes and observations from the event:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='516002' first='Julia' last='Schlarbaum'] was chosen as the <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/05/avoli-committed-athlete-prep-dig-midwest-live-showcase/">showcase's standout performer</a>. It was well-deserved and confirmed what I'd seen and written about throughout the club campaign. Her growth during the last year has been amazing, and she continues improving each time I watch her. If she's not yet on your radar as a college coach, she should be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Schlarbaum had plenty of competition for the honor. That certainly included [player_tooltip player_id='560368' first='Elle' last='Hatlevig'], a late but great addition to the event. I first saw her lead her Premier 15-1 team to a regional title in April. She stood out as powerful pin with explosive athleticism. That was on display again here at the Horizons Event Center. Hatlevig has solidified herself as one of the state's best, regardless of class, and her ceiling is very high.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='730098' first='Caroline' last='Crane'] stood out early and often in scouting her for the first time. With the requisite height and long arms, Crane impacts the action from the pin. She's strong and physical, and definitely one on which to keep an eye moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='730403' first='Delaynee' last='Steele'] is a prospect whose progress I'm looking forward to monitoring more closely after watching her Friday. Her explosiveness and length can't be taught, and it feels like she's just scratching the surface of her potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='754657' first='Cyan' last='Blommer'] continued her ascent this spring with a really solid performance here on Friday night. She was joined by high-school teammates [player_tooltip player_id='697463' first='Audrey' last='Small'] and [player_tooltip player_id='540833' first='Izzie' last='McDonald']. Watching that trio and then considering the other players at West made me think the Trojans can make a run at the state tournament provided growth continues.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Cedar Falls was well-represented here with [player_tooltip player_id='754242' first='Piper' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='781517' first='Hadassah' last='Smith'] showing out in their respective age groups. Piper has really taken her game up a notch this club campaign, and Hadassah has proven to be one of the best 2029s in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-A couple of Lydias impressed during the evening. Shout out to [player_tooltip player_id='547128' first='Lydia' last='Cox'] as the lone '26 here to work on her skills, which were impressive. The veteran was a great example for a talented collection of young back rowers with her focus and efficiency. [player_tooltip player_id='555796' first='Lydia' last='Burrell'] gets overshadowed by talented teammates, but she flashes a lot of potential, too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='729453' first='Jennifer' last='Alexander'] caught my attention at the Northern Lights qualifier and impressed again at regionals. On Friday, she did the same. Her intriguing potential as an all-around performer will keep me monitoring her growth from here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-In my first in-person viewing of [player_tooltip player_id='773170' first='Eliana' last='Kudic'], the youngster put her best foot foward. Like a lot of the Waterloo West kids, she's a bit undersized by standards but makes up for it with athleticism and explosion. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='773937' first='Aylin' last='Adamson'] shined whenever I was observing her court. She jumps well with a consistent attacking operation that gets results. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-I really like the young core of student-athletes at Valley that could get it back to state in November. [player_tooltip player_id='763526' first='Myla' last='Rude'] proved again that she's a winning combination of talent, leadership and intensity. [player_tooltip player_id='536274' first='Ryan' last='Connolly'] is a rising pin. [player_tooltip player_id='770824' first='Josie' last='Houston'] is one to watch in the back row, and the same can be said about [player_tooltip player_id='775721' first='Ashley' last='Clark'] on the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Dowling was well represented beyond Crane. [player_tooltip player_id='763850' first='Gianna' last='Stanfel'] stood out when I saw her in club and was one of the most consistently good performers here. [player_tooltip player_id='758163' first='Jaya' last='Morrow'] and [player_tooltip player_id='778584' first='Ellie' last='Brunkhorst'] looked to next among the next in line in a loaded program. The latter is a very interesting, lefty right-side in '29. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QUICK-SETS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='555806' first='[player_tooltip player_id='523166' first='Haley' last='']' last='New'] is a break-out player for the fall. Her considerable talents will greatly help a Indianola program hit hard by graduation. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='694203' first='Belle' last='Cotton'] keeps getting better, particularly with consistency and power in her swing. Her club and prep teammate, [player_tooltip player_id='742600' first='Piper' last='Hodge'], provided evidence with her play here that should could be a contributor for what should be a state tournament team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='545946' first='Addison' last='Waldorf'] and [player_tooltip player_id='701976' first='Adelyn' last='Stien'] continued their standout spring with reliable performances here. Already well-rounded setters, they have ways to go before becoming how good they can be, which is exciting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-[player_tooltip player_id='729559' first='Halle' last='Gardner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='754572' first='Mia' last='German'] stand out in club for their abilities to contribute all around the court. Focusing on the back row here, they enjoyed steady performances. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->