Going Gauntlet Team Preview – Iowa Rockets 17-1

<!-- 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;[program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] 17-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa's 17U age group this season is pretty loaded. Twelve teams are qualified for the USAV Nationals this summer in Indianapolis. The team that won the Iowa Regional is not the one in the group qualified for the Open Division at nationals. Again, it's an unusual collection of talent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] 17-1 joins the club's 17R squad as a national qualifier. They'll both be competing at the Prep Dig Gauntlet in preparation for the grand finale in Indy. You can read about 17R <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/05/going-gauntlet-team-preview-rockets-17r/" id="https://prepdig.com/2026/05/going-gauntlet-team-preview-rockets-17r/">HERE</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A trickle down to the Freedom Division at nationals found Rockets 17-1. The team was tied for 11th at the USAV Iowa Regional against that tough field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cedar Rapids Jefferson standout [player_tooltip player_id='555785' first='Lexi' last='Haller']<a href="https://prepdig.com/player/lexi-haller/"></a> is an important piece of 17-1s' success. The J-Hawk senior-to-be can handle the setter spot or get to the opposite pin to end points. She's a sound defender at the net and in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='490004' first='Girona' last='Fengler'] from 5A state champion Waukee Northwest continues the trend as a versatile volleyballer capable of effectiveness in the middle or at the pin. She operates with power and explosion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='808900' first='Lauren' last='Heying'] of Anamosa ranks among the leading returners in digs after picking up 477 as a junior in 2025. Ottumwa's [player_tooltip player_id='730446' first='Khloe' last='O'Brien'] also can dig it up in the back row or end a point from the pin. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='991945' first='Jenna' last='Schwartz'] stood out as one of Mount Pleasant's top performers in the middle of the net last season. She's continued to be a impactful two-way player for Rockets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Geneseo (IL) High pin Mia Balensiefen is capable of contributing on either side of the net. [player_tooltip player_id='836047' first='Meilah' last='Ertz'] of Burlington is building on a junior campaign that saw here lead the Grayhounds in kills and rank second in digs. Her positional flexibility is a valuable asset for Rockets 17-1. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='443124' first='Rachel' last='Allen']<a href="https://prepdig.com/player/rachel-allen/"></a> is the product one of the state's top programs at Pleasant Valley. After getting her feet wet on a Spartan varsity that advanced to the state tournament last season, Allen is progressing this club year to get into position to help PV more this coming fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marion's [player_tooltip player_id='758819' first='Nayomi' last='Vasser']<a href="https://prepdig.com/player/nayomi-vasser/"></a>&nbsp;is an emerging front-row player that's a good all-around athlete beginning to sharpen her volleyball skills. She has a chance to rise up even more for the Wolves in 2026 after leading them in blocks and ranking among the top producers of kills on last year's state qualifier. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='991949' first='Olivia' last='Scott'] is an asset at Iowa City West as a versatile player in the front row. She's adding that same dimension for Rockets 17-1 this club campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->