Belle Cotton Belle Cotton 5'11" | OH/DS/L Assumption | 2028 State IA is a fierce outside who has done a fantastic job leading her teams to success throughout her high school career. In her sophomore season, she managed to rack up 248 kills and was a promising piece of the Knights’ offense, especially in the state tournament. Cotton is back and has been doing more of the same this year, taking the Knights from being ranked #12th all the way up to the #1 spot, and is already at 218 kills for the season. Her swing is fearless, and her defense is relentless. Cotton is on the path to do amazing things, not only in high school, but also at the collegiate level as well.

A fixture in the lineup since freshman year and a key contributor as a 10th-grader during last year’s run to the 3A state championship, Cotton has continually improved her overall volleyball game every step of the way through her prep and club careers. The Grand Valley State commitment has lifted her skills even higher this season as the Knights have emerged as a favorite in 4A. When watching Cotton compete at the Iowa City quad in late September, there was the potent attack at the pin that has come to be expected. She’s smart, finding ways to end points no matter the defense faced. Cotton has probably improved the most in the back row, where she’s quite reliable in serve-receive and facing up against the opposing attack. Through the year’s first 62 sets, Cotton led the Knights in kills and ranked second in digs.

Cotton has been one of the more productive players in her class for several years. Her teams win a lot of matches because of her ability to do everything on the court and impact matches throughout six rotations. Assumption took home a state championship last year with her standing out as a sophomore. Select advanced to the USAV Nationals this summer with her starring along the way. Colleges have shown interest in Cotton. Valparaiso, Illinois State, Charleston, Ferris State, Dayton and Drake invited her to camps this summer. She remains uncommitted heading into her junior season, but her well-rounded skill set and continued improvement will help find her the right home on the next level.

After watching Cotton play, I could tell she is coming into this season ready to chase another state title. The six-rotation junior played a key role in her team’s success last season, and I don’t think this year will be any different. I was curious to see how Cotton would do without having Kelley as their setter. But she did an amazing job adjusting and finding ways to score off of sophomore setter Natalie DePoorter Natalie DePoorter 5'11" | S/RS Assumption | 2029 State IA . I am very excited to see Belle become even more of a leader now that she is an upperclassman.