Going Gauntlet Team Preview – PowerPlex 17U Mendoza

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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,&nbsp;<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>&nbsp;in our "Going Gauntlet" series leading up to the show.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'll be putting together previews for the rest of our state's teams. Here's a look at PowerPlex 17U Mendoza, a team whose players I know well, but, unfortunately, I haven't seen yet this season (but will at the Gauntlet!).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PowerPlex boasts an embarrassment of riches with regards to its 17U squads. The top team, 17U Brogean, has qualified in the Open Division at this summer's USAV Nationals in Indianapolis. The 17U Mendoza outfit secured a bid in the USA Division for nationals at the Sunshine Classic National Qualifier. It ended up third in that late February event before finishing ninth at the Iowa Regional as the No. 3 seed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The achievement should not be surprising when you scan the roster. There are college commitments and other players destined to join them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Setter [player_tooltip player_id='443125' first='Liv' last='Davis'] is one of the state's best at the position. The Waukee standout is committed to Kent State and coming off of a junior season that saw her deliver 687 assists (8th in Class 5A), 63 kills, 161 digs and 15.0 blocks. She's a fundamentally sound performer that limits mistakes and helps her teams maximize their potential on the attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='555820' first='London' last='Taylor'] joins Davis in ranking among the top players at her position. The Central Arkansas commitment is rolling along this club campaign after lining up at libero for Class 5A state champion Waukee Northwest in the fall, when she came up with 353 digs and 70 assists in 93 sets. She covers a ton of court and brings great energy to it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you're wondering just how loaded the Wolves were in 2025, consider right-side hitter [player_tooltip player_id='555796' first='Lydia' last='Burrell'], who couldn't crack the rotation. She's committed to Sioux Falls and a weapon for this PowerPlex outfit that, again, qualified for nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Versatile [player_tooltip player_id='555797' first='Marlee' last='Ellison'] committed to Lenoir-Rhyne University, a Division II program in North Carolina. She's continued improving during club ball after registering 249 kills (.211), 226 digs and 22.0 blocks for an Ankeny team that reached the state semifinals in November.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ellison's Hawk classmates, Lauren Madsen and Quinn Cowman, team up with her for PowerPlex, where they complement Taylor as defensive specialists. They both move well in the back row and are showing this club season that they're breakout candidates in high school ball this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle [player_tooltip player_id='758828' first='Sophia' last='Heither'] helped Ankeny Centennial reach its first state championship match in 2025 with 154 kills (.311) and 79.0 blocks in 82 sets. One of the better uncommitted players in Iowa's 2027 Class, she's given college coaches plenty to think about with her play for PowerPlex this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='493981' first='Brookelyn' last='Jondle'], like Heither, is another of the better uncommitted Iowa 2027s. The Swiss Army Knife from Roland-Story can be played all around the court, as evidence by her 355 kills (.234), 326 digs and 30.0 blocks as a junior last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='555837' first='Skyler' last='VanDerPol'] provides PowerPlex with another productive two-way middle to team up with Heither after rolling up 236 kills (.220) and 85.0 blocks as Des Moines Christian junior in 2025. Like other's on this roster, she's a kid being under-recruited relative to talent and potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->