"New" 2029 Watch List Athletes To Make Iowa Postseason Noise

The postseason is right around the corner and these freshmen are ready to make an impact.  This will be their first taste of the postseason, and who knows? Maybe some will be paving their path all the way to Coralville?  Who are the ones off the 2029 Watchlist that could be making noise in the next few weeks?     Mid Prairie was able to punch their ticket to the state tournament in 2024 and they are looking for a return in 2025 with plenty of experience. However, they have a new athlete, a freshman on their roster in [player_tooltip player_id='847970' first='Elise' last='Foster']. With 342 digs on the season, Foster has proven she is a defender to know in Southeast Iowa. She can handle a high volume of serve receive, anticipates well, and knows how to bring calm to the chaos in an out of system situation. The Hawks have the top seed in their region where they will open regional play on Tuesday, October 21 against Davis County.     Clarinda typically isn't listed among the names of teams to know in the path to the state tournament. In 2025, they have made noise by being in the rankings and have a 21-9 record. A key player in this formula is [player_tooltip player_id='893054' first='Ellery' last='Bird'], a freshman setter with over 700 assists, good for averaging nine per set. Two of Bird's top targets are Addison Wagoner and Miley Wagoner where they have combined for 500 kills. Post season play is right around the corner where Clarinda will open tournament play against Chariton.     Ankeny Christian has won the past three Class 1A state titles and graduated a strong core of seniors in the Class of 2025. One being their setter Katie Quick who is currently at Drake. Replacing a senior setter with the talent and leadership of Quick can be tough, but freshman [player_tooltip player_id='893055' first='Avlyn' last='Davis'] has risen to the occasion. She is leading the Eagles with 540 assists on the season and a 22-13 record against some competition with much larger enrollments. They still have their eyes on getting back to Coralville. They are the two seed in Region 8 and will open tournament play with Melcher-Dallas on Monday, October 20.     The Cedar Valley is always loaded with talent, but the Class of 2029 is pretty special. [player_tooltip player_id='785394' first='Hannah' last='Buhman'] leads all freshmen in the state of Iowa with 284 total kills on the season. Sumner-Fred is always in the conversation when it comes to top teams in the Cedar Valley and the state. They are battle tested and is the only team to take down defending state champion and top ranked Denver. There has been plenty of Buhman to Buhman connections for the Cougars with [player_tooltip player_id='389011' first='Alexa' last='Buhman'] having over 700 assists this season. This squad has quite the combo of youth and experience which should make for an exciting post season.     [player_tooltip player_id='759977' first='Abbey' last='Kirk'] is absolutely electric. She is a high flying outside who can put quite a hurt on the ball. Her performance along with the play of senior setter [player_tooltip player_id='753986' first='Grace' last='Whalen'] has been key for the Wolves who are sitting at 24-12. Kirk has turned out some big performances including 31 kills in a five set loss to Solon. There could be potential rematch with Solon as these two WaMAC rivals are in the same region and if seeds play out they will meet with a trip to the state tournament on the line.     [player_tooltip player_id='893087' first='Kate' last='Limbaugh']'s numbers are extremely impressive. She has 249 kills in 50 sets played which means she is averaging nearly five kills per set. Limbaugh not only leads the Bulldogs in kills, but she also leads the team in blocks and service aces. They are currently second in the North Central Conference behind Humboldt. Limbaugh, along with the rest of her team could be ones to watch in years to come as they only have one senior on the squad. They will be opening tournament play next week when they take on Southeast Valley.     [player_tooltip player_id='889855' first='Reese' last='Harlan'] has been making a name for herself in Southwest Iowa where she has tallied over 200 kills and digs for Atlantic. She is a true six rotation player where she can impact the game anywhere on the court. She has been playing her club volleyball for Nebraska Premier out of Omaha where plenty of Southwest Iowa athletes have found great success.     Hudson has entered the chat as teams to recognize in the NICL. They have talent and youth which is always a deadly combination. [player_tooltip player_id='889843' first='Paige' last='Davis'] is leading the way for the Pirates with 193 kills and right behind her is another freshman in [player_tooltip player_id='754872' first='[player_tooltip player_id='523167' first='Natalie' last='']' last='Rausch'] who has nearly 150 kills. Hudson will start their post season play Wednesday, October 22 against Columbus. They could potential face NICL rival in the regional semifinals Jesup where the two have split their matchups during the regular season.

The postseason is right around the corner and these freshmen are ready to make an impact. This will be their first taste of the postseason, and who knows? Maybe some will be paving their path all the way to Coralville? Who are the ones off the 2029 Watchlist that could be making noise in the next few weeks?