Going Gauntlet Team Preview – Impact 15-1 Elite

<!-- 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><br>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&nbsp;&nbsp;Iowa Impact 15-1 Elite: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa Impact is a newer club with a sound foundation. Its teams are well coached with talented rosters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've watched the program a lot this season. Elite 15-1 has been an entertaining outfit that's shown it can compete at a high level. <br><br>Impact's top 15s team has traveled a path all teams aim to travel. It's gelled and improved connectivity throughout the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six-rotation outside hitter Havannah Dolbeare is a breakout player this club season. She combines height, long arms, jumping ability and agility in impacting matches in multiple ways. The Ankeny Christian sophomore-to-be is a rising prospect that will make noise this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='933241' first='Ava' last='Moench'] joins Dolbeare in bringing a well-rounded set of skills to the court. The Dowling Catholic product does well in the back row and can put it down from the pin. She has a chance to push for playing time with the Maroons in 2026. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='946787' first='Gwendolyn' last='Ramsay'], Ankeny Christian, and Waukee's [player_tooltip player_id='856337' first='Bri' last='Johnson'] provide Impact 15-1 Elite with a pair of setters equipped to handle all responsibilities required of the position. They show a good feel for match flow and share a high volleyball IQ. Consistency is a important part of their game. <br><br>[player_tooltip player_id='905327' first='Abby' last='Buenzow'] of Ankeny and Carlisle's [player_tooltip player_id='913696' first='Layton' last='Freeman'] balance the attack with their work at the opposite pin. The right-sides find ways to finish points and throw up effective blocks to silence opponents' swings. Both of these student-athlete show the potential for even more. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Opposing teams won't find any relief in the middle of the net. Dowling Catholic's [player_tooltip player_id='933239' first='Madilynn' last='Niggemeyer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='949571' first='Brooklyn' last='Smith'] of Marshalltown are imposing two-way contributors in that position. Keep an eye on this duo during the prep season. <br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ankeny Centennial's [player_tooltip player_id='765950' first='Avery' last='Humphrey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='882740' first='Ellyn' last='Ray'] from Bondurant-Farrar give Impact consistently solid play in the back row. Dowling Catholic's [player_tooltip player_id='933240' first='Ava' last='White'] gives 15-1 Elite more power at the pin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->