Few players around the state improved more than Heither did in the last year. By the time we reached the state tournament, the junior was showing she could impact matches as a two-way standout in the middle of the net. She finished with 154 kills (.311) and 79.0 blocks in 82 sets for the 5A state runner-up Jaguars. Heither made the move from Impact to PowerPlex this club season with an eye on showing college coaches she can be a valued member of their roster no matter who she’s lining up for. She’s a powerful athlete with room to grow before reaching her potential.

Sophia Heither Sophia Heither 6'1" | MB Ankeny Centennial | 2027 State IA just needs a small window of opportunity to terminate out of the middle.  I’ve watched her on the club and high school courts and she is always consistent.  She hits a heavy ball and isn’t afraid to be aggressive.  She can terminate off a quick tempo ball and has a knack provide a big block with good footwork and hand placement. 

Heither is a powerful two-way middle that will embarrass opponents not prepared to do battle. Playing with an intense tempo, the junior attacks the opposition with a heavy swing. She’s been improving recognition of where the defense is setting up to better take advantage of it. Heither also is aggressive in throwing up the block. She anticipates the attack well and gets herself in position to make a play. Heither is technically sound on the block, making it more effective in ending points. Through the first 13 matches of 2025, she ranked second on the team in kills (63) and led the way with 37.0 blocks.

Strenght, physicality, and athleticism is the name of the game for Sophia Heither Sophia Heither 6'1" | MB Ankeny Centennial | 2027 State IA for RVA 16 Verona.  This Des Moines area team has a stacked roster of firepower with Heither being one to watch out of the middle.  This team runs a really quick tempo out of the middle which suits the game of Heither extremely well.  She’s efficient as an attacker and knows when to swing big to the deep corner and when you use her tips and throws.  Defensively she reads the other side extremely well being disciplined with her block and knowing how to read the other side of the net. 

For athletes attending the Central Iowa high school powers, they sometimes don’t get an opportunity to contribute right away, but for Sophia Heither Sophia Heither 6'1" | MB Ankeny Centennial | 2027 State IA she was able to make an impact for Centennial this past fall as a sophomore.  She has some big time spring out of the middle and provides a dynamic skillset to score points.  She knows how to find the deep corners, can take it right out of the setter’s hands to score with a swing or tip.  Her RVA team is having a big season and has a group of 2027s that are ones to watch heading into the summer.