Top Iowa 2027s Make their College Calls

<!-- 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>The Class of 2027 flung open to the door to its recruitment on June 15, when the NCAA allowed college coaches to directly contact prospects in the recruiting cycle. Since then, several of the top juniors in Iowa have announced their commitments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Dig's No.1-ranked 2027 in the state, Iowa City West and Iowa United outside hitter, [player_tooltip player_id='360642' first='Sophia' last='Austen'], announced her pledge to Iowa State on June 21. Earlier in the month, she camped with Duke, South Dakota, Kansas State, Notre Dame, Baylor, Miami (FL) and West Virginia, according to her social media.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I am so excited to announce that I will be continuing my academic and volleyball career at Iowa State University!" <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sophiaausten27/">Austen wrote on Instagram</a>. "I would like to thank my family for all of the endless love and support they have given me throughout this process. I also want to thank all of my teammates and coaches who have shaped me into the person and player I am today. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I am so thankful to coach Christy Johnson-Lynch, coach (Clara) Jones and coach (Marc) Neef for giving me this opportunity! I'm so grateful and I can't wait! Go Cyclones!"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Austen is the second top Iowa City-area standout to pick Iowa State in as many classes. Regina Catholic senior [player_tooltip player_id='261094' first='Reese' last='Naeve'] chose the Cyclones on June 15 of last year. It's become a trendy thing to do. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waukee Northwest juniors and PowerPlex teammates [player_tooltip player_id='490013' first='Logan' last='Vogt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='493601' first='Piper' last='Ladwig'] also recently committed to Iowa State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I am super excited to announce that I will be continuing my academic and volleyball career at Iowa State University," <a href="https://www.instagram.com/loganvogt125/">Vogt announced on June 20</a>. "I am so grateful for the opportunity and everyone who has helped me along the way! Go Cyclones!" </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/piperladwig/?hl=en">Wrote Ladwig on Instagram</a> on June 24: "Excited to announce my commitment to Iowa State University! Ready to take on the next chapter as a Cyclone! Thank you to my amazing coaches that have helped me get to this point! - My very first coach, Melissa Grinstead, that started the love of volleyball. Joe Morton, who convinced my mom that I need to join a club! Shannon Henkelman and Jenna Ortmeier for pushing me to the next level. Jodi Vogt for encouraging me on and off the court (coach for life!) Ed Brogean and Holly Seibert for supporting me through this recruitment craziness. Coach Raffy for pushing me to be my best!!" </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not all of the state's top juniors stayed within its borders, however. Waukee and Six Pack dynamo [player_tooltip player_id='443092' first='Malia' last='Rogers'] <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maliarogers22/">announced on June 25</a> that she was headed to Purdue. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I'm so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and volleyball career at Purdue University! First, I want to thank my parents for always believing in me and being my biggest supporters — from driving me two hours each way to practice, to hugging me when I fail, to cheering me on at every game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"To my siblings,&nbsp;(Jaden Rogers and Kyra Callender), thank you for supporting me through this entire recruiting process. And a huge shoutout to (Judd Harrold) for pushing me to be elite and taking my game to the next level! I'm also incredibly grateful for all my friends, coaches, and teammates who have pushed me to grow into the best player and person I can be. Finally, thank you to<a href="https://www.instagram.com/purduevb/"> </a>(Purdue Volleyball)&nbsp;for believing in me and giving me this amazing opportunity. Boiler Up!" </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The commitments of Austen, Vogt, Ladwig and Rogers took<a href="https://prepdig.com/iowa/rankings/2027-watch-list/"> Prep Dig's three top-ranked 2027s</a> and four of the Top 9 off the board. While significant, it also meant a lot of really good student-athletes still are looking for college homes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at some of them that have publicly shared information about their recruitment: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490015' first='Mazie' last='Sweers'] </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prep Dig Iowa Class Rank: </strong>No. 4 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pleasant Valley standout has rebounded from an injury that sidelined her during the Spartans' run to the Class 5A state championship last season. She's been excellent for Iowa Select in the club season, attracting the attention of colleges. Sweers participated in the invite-only University of Iowa elite camp on June 12 and took part in a St. Thomas camp on June 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='316419' first='Edie' last='Miller']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prep Dig Iowa Class Rank: </strong>No. 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top-ranked back-row baller in Iowa's junior class, Miller has been active with her recruitment when not standing out for Rockets this club campaign. The Iowa City Liberty stalwart visited Missouri, Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State and Loyola Chicago in June, according to Instagram posts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='403543' first='Addie' last='Bollier']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prep Dig Iowa Class Rank: </strong>No. 7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the back row for the 16U Iowa Regional champion United squad, Bollier faced tough competition after helping Regina Catholic reach the state tournament in November. She camped with Duke, Vanderbilt and Baylor last month. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='412719' first='Jenna' last='Harbour']</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prep Dig Iowa Class Rank: </strong>No. 13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harbour enjoyed a fine club campaign with PowerPlex. The Ankeny product sprinkled in time for her recruitment last month, performing in camps at Ole Miss, South Dakota, Angelo State and Tarleton State. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='273001' first='Ellie' last='Wilson'] </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prep Dig Iowa Class Rank: </strong>No. 15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson played an important role for United 16s this club season just like she did for Iowa City Liberty last season. Colleges have taken note, with her camping with Iowa, St. Thomas and Loyola Chicago during June. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493660' first='Bailey' last='Simpson']</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prep Dig Iowa Class Rank: </strong>No. 18</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another member of United's 16U Iowa Regional championship squad, Simpson has emerged as a rising college prospect. During June, she camped at Missouri, Butler and Ball State. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490016' first='Raquel' last='Risk']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prep Dig Iowa Class Rank: </strong>No. 27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loyola Chicago brought Risk in for camp last month. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='488579' first='Mavrik' last='Schweer']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prep Dig Iowa Class Rank: </strong>No. 28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ball State had Schweer in for a camp during June. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='316380' first='Hadley' last='Miller']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prep Dig Iowa Class Rank: </strong>No. 29</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Missouri, Kansas, Iowa State, Northern Iowa and Loyola Chicago welcomed Miller to their camps in June. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='493608' first='Bailey' last='Snyder'] </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prep Dig Iowa Class Rank: </strong>No. 31</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Snyder attended camp at South Dakota during June. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->