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 IA . I am very excited to see Belle become even more of a leader now that she is an upperclassman.

It’s been fun watching Cotton grow her game during the last few years. She’s been an important part of the successes of her teams with Assumption, which won the Class 3A state title last season, and Iowa Select, which qualified for the USAV National Tournament this summer. Cotton brings so much value to the court as a prospect that can impact matches in multiple ways. A big vertical and heavy swing make her a problem for opponents at the pin. It’s a smart attack that takes advantage of what the defense presents. Her block is improving. Cotton also holds up really well in the back row in getting the ball to the setter off of serve-receive and in lining up against the opposing attack. It’s also an effective serve that puts pressure on the other side of the net.

Belle Cotton was a key piece of the puzzle when Davenport Assumption won a state title in Class 3A this past fall.  She has a mature style to her game where she knows how to pack a punch on pin, she is also someone who isn’t afraid to let it fly from the backrow as well as scoring points with her serve. Cotton and the Iowa Select 16 Mizuno squad will be playing in the 16 National Division in Indy for nationals later in June. 

Iowa Select 16 Mizuno was not shy about playing up an age group (or two) in the 17s/18s division. The team was part of a three-squad pool format to close the AM wave, and Cotton didn’t wait to make a first impression. Her broad jump and whippy arm put all of Court 1 on notice. 16 Mizuno has leaned on its balanced offense several times throughout 2026, but there are still some “alpha” terminators to be found. Cotton leads the pack.