Going Gauntlet Team Preview – Iowa United 16-1 Elite

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   I'm looking forward to checking out my first Prep Dig Gauntlet June 6-7 in suburban Milwaukee. Nine Iowa teams across the 15-17 age groups will be representing the state at the competitive, pre-USAV Nationals event.   I've been fortunate enough to have seen seven of the nine teams in person. One of the ones I did not catch, Iowa Premier 16-1, <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/05/going-gauntlet-iowa-premier-16-1-claims-open-bid/?itm_source=parsely-api">was written about by Prep Dig's Chris Fitzgerald</a> in our "Going Gauntlet" series leading up to the show.   I'll be putting together previews for the rest of our state's teams. Let's keep it going with a look at Iowa United 16-1 Elite.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   I've happened onto Iowa United 16-1 Elite's courts at a couple of events this season. I watched it compete against a strong field at the Windy City National Qualifier during the first weekend of April. A month later, I watched it a bit at the Mizuno Midwest Challenge JVA in Des Moines, where it finished second to Iowa United 16 Elite Timmerman. As good as the squad looked during those in-person scouting opportunities, it's one of the outfits around the state that I think has a ways to go before reaching its potential.   While the foundation of this age group for United was in place heading into the campaign, it also was incorporating important components into the fold. A group of talented players has continued connecting and gelling.   It boasts one of the state's best six-rotation performers in Clear Creek Amana all-stater [player_tooltip player_id='516002' first='Julia' last='Schlarbaum']. Coming off a sophomore season that saw her produce 264 kills (.288), 283 digs and 26.0 blocks, she's continuing to ascend by sharping her game in all areas. It will be fascinating to see the interest she receives on June 15, when NCAA rules allow college coaches to begin contacting juniors-to-be directly.   Setter [player_tooltip player_id='701976' first='Adelyn' last='Stien'] also should expect her phone to be active on June 15. The Center-Point Urbana sophomore possesses all the important traits programs on the next level seek at at the position, and she continues improving them through hard work. After the Gauntlet and Nationals, she'll look to build on a 10th-grade season that saw her lead the Stormin' Pointers in assists, while ranking second in kills and fourth in digs.   [player_tooltip player_id='775157' first='Jeorgia' last='Evans'] makes sure this team is sound from front to back. The Mid-Prairie sophomore patrols the court like a blanket while donning the jersey. She's one of the better athletes among the state's top volleyball players in her class, standing out in track, too. Evans shows that during the prep season, where last year she piled up a team-best 579 digs and added 213 kills (.295).   [player_tooltip player_id='610472' first='Josie' last='Austen'] is playing up in club ball after starting as a freshman for an Iowa City West squad that reached the state tournament last year for the first time since 2016. Like then, her work at the opposite pin for United 16-1 Elite is impactful. Her swing continues to gain power, and her reading of the block also is improving. Austen is making strides with her defense at the net as well.   When Schlarbaum rotates off of the outside pin, opponents don't get much relief with [player_tooltip player_id='775182' first='Olivia' last='Marais'] stepping to it. The Cedar Rapids Prairie sophomore is a explosive athlete and leaper that led the Prairie Hawks with 208 kills in 2025, flashing a more complete game with 43.0 blocks and 110 digs.   United 16-1 Elite is well-stocked in the middle of the net with [player_tooltip player_id='571219' first='Haydin' last='Wauters'] and [player_tooltip player_id='817501' first='Olivia' last='Debevec'].   Wauters is a prospect on the rise, perhaps one poised for a breakout at Clear Creek Amana this fall, after performing in the Clipper rotation with 44 kills and 25.0 blocks on a team that reached the state semifinals. She's a legit 6-foot-3 and long arms help her play taller than that. She's agile and has a chance to improve quite a bit moving forward, which should be exciting for college coaches.   Debevec is a prospect flying pretty far below the radar relative to ability and potential. She's a good athlete that is effective in the middle but also could find a future home at a pin. Debevec can jump and flows well with the action.   Evans receives plenty of help in the back row from a pair of solid defensive specialists. [player_tooltip player_id='555730' first='Taylor' last='Hoskins'] is lining up for United after leading Center Point-Urbana with 473 digs in 98 sets last fall. [player_tooltip player_id='851203' first='Norah' last='Willey'] continues as a prospect on the rise this club campaign after coming up with 154 digs as a sophomore in the Iowa City Liberty rotation in 2025.   [player_tooltip player_id='771601' first='Kaitlyn' last='Amman'] brings valuable versatility to the United Elite 16-1 roster. The Bettendorf High product can jump and shows a heavy swing at the pin. She's athletic and quick, which allows her to contribute in the back row, too.   United's top 16U squad entered the USAV Iowa Regional as the seventh seed. It played above that to a fifth-place finish that earned it a Freedom Division bid to this summer's Nationals.

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