Blake Goldsmith Blake Goldsmith 6'0" | OH/RS Ottumwa | 2029 IA has been slowly making herself more and more known over the last year. The sophomore has an incredible balance of composure and fire and brings loads of power when she steps on the court. Not only can Goldsmith put the ball away at the net, but she also knows how to play some pretty solid defense. She has an incredibly high ceiling, and I’m excited to see how her skills help out the Bulldogs in the semifinals.

This year’s Iowa Rockets 15-1 squad contributed a handful of athletes to last weekend’s showcase, and we were particularly eager to catch up with Goldsmith. She led 15-1 to a runner-up finish in the 15s division of our Midwest National Tune-Up, and the late-season momentum hasn’t slowed since then. Goldsmith slugged the ball with tremendous pace at the Stock Up Showcase, finding ways to tool off of well-formed blocks. She maintained that energy through serve-pass drills that put her tracking skills on full display. This high-flying outside hitter will now pivot to Year 2 at Ottumwa, where she’ll remain a key factor in the starting rotation.

Goldsmith followed up a fabulous freshman season at Ottumwa with a strong showing during the recent club year. As a ninth-grader, she paced the Bulldogs with 206 kills in 95 sets. It’s a heavy swing from the pin with bounce off the floor and explosion into a strong vertical that allows her to get on top of the ball and power through it. She’s a fluid and smooth athlete that can pass when targeted in serve-receive and recover back to the pin. Goldsmith will be a force to be reckoned with at Ottumwa in 2026 and has shown she’s a prospect to track moving forward.

Goldsmith was absolutely bouncing the volleyball when she could find an opening. She’s working hard in transition, making herself available and proving to be a lethal option on the right pin.