I’ve watched Small develop her game throughout the last several years, when she’s created a path to playing the sport in college. She’s always been tall for her age, which helped her succeed. Small has worked hard on her volleyball skills and agility to take advantage of her natural gifts, though. I saw that in the fall when she contributed a lot to an Iowa City West team that returned to the state tournament for the first time since 2016. She’d progressed from when I saw her last club season. The same could be said when watching her compete at the USAV Iowa Regional in late March. Her United outfit won the championship and earned a National Division bid to this summer’s national tournament in Indianapolis. I thought Small was playing confidently and aggressively. It showed up an intimidating attack and an effective block. Small is agile and moves well laterally. She can hit the slide attack and put down quicks. There’s a lot to like about her game.

Don’t let Audrey Small Audrey Small 6'4" | MB Iowa City West | 2028 State IA get lost in the shuffle.  She is a 2028 playing with an elite group from Iowa United 151 Elite.  This team was lights out this past weekend in Kansas City.  They went 3-0 in their power pool and made the top 32.  Small is a major presence in the middle who can block and score points.  She is accustomed to training at a high level, she knows how to position herself to get a tough or a stuff while getting out of her block, transitioning to be an available attacker.  She spent time at some Big Ten camps last summer and could be a Power Four type oc athlete. 

Small is big on potential. During the last few years, she’s begun to realize it playing in programs that take on top competition. Her United team qualified for the USAV Open Division in its age group last year. Iowa City West returned to the state tournament this past season for the first time since 2016. It’s not a coincidence that Small was a part of that success because her contributions were instrumental in it. I watched her often during the prep season and improvements from the club campaign were recognizable. We see that again when watching clips from early in this club year. Small is starting to trust her abilities more and more, which is leading to consistent success. When she’s aggressive, she’s dangerous. And that’s what we’re seeing in 2026. Check for Small at this weekend’s Triple Crown Invite in Kansas City and at other top tournaments this winter and spring.

Small helped form a potent 1-2 punch at middle hitter for Iowa City West this season, when the Trojans returned to the state tournament. She also shared that role on a United squad that qualified in the open division at the national tournament in Dallas earlier this year. It feels like Small gets overshadowed despite being a legitimate 6-foot-4 because of the very talented players around her. She’s a top prospect as well, though. Her upside is significant with her height, long arms and agility. Small still is developing her game, and gradually becoming more consistent and well-rounded as a player. If anything, Small could benefit by being more aggressive and intimidating in the middle of the net if she trusts her talent.