I was able to watch quite a bit of Iowa United 161 Elite at the Windy City Qualifier.  Adelyn Stien Adelyn Stien 5'10" | S/RS Center Point-Urbana | 2028 State IA runs the show for this team and has great command of the court.  You can tell she’s a multisport athlete because she just has that vibe where she knows how to get it done.  She is a playmaker, making something out of nothing, and also makes a lot of difficult plays look routine.  This United team has a lot of firepower and grit. They have been competing at the open level for qualifiers and will be heading to USAV Nationals in Indy with an American bid. 

I hadn’t watched Stien in action since last club season when I saw her competing at the 2026 Windy City National Qualifier during Easter weekend in Chicago. The Center Point-Urbana sophomore had lifted her game up a couple of levels, and I was impressed with abilities a year ago. Stien stands out for her consistency. She’s just a really solid all-around volleyball player that’s comfortable leading an offense and making it successful. Stien positions herself well to do the most with each pass and makes sound choices on where to go with the ball. She’s connected to her attackers at the pins and in the middle. Stien is tall with longer arms to aid her in throwing up an effective block and in generating a heavy swing when she sees an opening. She holds up well in serve-receive.

A lot of these athletes who come out of Iowa are all around type of kids.  Adelyn Stien Adelyn Stien 5'10" | S/RS Center Point-Urbana | 2028 State IA is a dynamic setter for Iowa United 161 Elite while also being a key player on the basketball court for Center Point-Urbana High School this winter.  Stien commands the court like a quarterback.  She elevates the level of play and has a motor to her.  This Iowa Class of 2028 is really excited and Stien will be one to watch as they wrap up qualifier season. 

I scouted Stien several times during the last club season and left those opportunities intrigued with her upside as a taller setter with long arms and athletic ability. She built on that foundation this fall for the Stormin Pointers, which received 410 assists, 220 kills, 247 digs and 29.0 blocks from the sophomore en route to a 22-14 season. It’s obvious Stien works on improving all aspects of the game to make her more impactful and dangerous through six rotations. Already someone that regularly stands out in matches, it should attract college coaches that Stien has potential for much more. It will be a big club campaign for her as she looks to impress those staffs on the next level.

Why not stay on the Iowa United ledger? Stien has already announced her presence on the high school stage as a do-everything athlete for Center Point-Urbana. The star freshman put up triple-digit kills and also added over 250 assists as a backcourt setter. This hybrid setter-opposite role is a familiar trend among Iowa’s best athletes, and Stien is an ideal fit for this six-rotation influence. Midwest Live offered another chance to perform just about any skill imaginable.