Iowa Class 3A – Start of Summer Rankings and Players To Watch
Photo Cred: The Gazette – Cedar Rapids Iowa Class 3A might have a little bit of a different look compared to last year. State tournament teams Osage and Clarion-Goldfield most likely will be in Class 2A for 2018 which will…
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Continue ReadingPhoto Cred: The Gazette – Cedar Rapids
Iowa Class 3A might have a little bit of a different look compared to last year. State tournament teams Osage and Clarion-Goldfield most likely will be in Class 2A for 2018 which will make Class 2A an extremely rugged division with the likes of Beckman, Unity, Western, and the whole list of perennial powers. Much like Class 4A there will be some familiar names, however Class 3A had a big hit when it comes to graduation. What will the top teams look like with some new players as well as another year of experience for athletes who were just starting to build some momentum in 2018.
Class 3A
- Mount Vernon
- Davenport Assumption
- MOC-Floyd Valley
- West Liberty
- Kuemper Catholic
- Des Moines Christian
- Tipton
- Union
- Albia
- New Hampton
Major Wildcard:
Sioux City Bishop Heelan
Carroll-Kuemper was such a powerhouse last year enroute to a Class 3A state title. However, the Knights will have to replace big losses to graduation with Aimee Adams who will be heading to South Dakota and setter, Maci Overmohle who had over 1,000 assists last season. They will be bringing back Kara Peter, a Drake commit, Anna Nienhaus who had over 200 kills, and libero Mallory Badding. The cupboard is not bare and with the experience of winning a state title and multiple trips to the state tournament that is something that will carry them in close matches.
Tipton was state runner-up behind Class 3A Player of the Year Sommer Daniel who will be heading to play volleyball at Utah. Daniel is a do it all type
Sommer Daniel of Tiptonplayer who can set and swing. Last year she had just under 500 kills and 500 assists, however Tipton will have to replace setter Amanda Smith who is heading to Central as well as other members of a deep Senior class.
Mount Vernon made a run to the state semifinals last year defeating MOC-Floyd Valley in the quarterfinals. The Mustangs will return a really solid incoming Junior class that has Natalie Welch who is an extremely athletic middle who can get from pin to pin and spread the defense out. Summer Brand will be returning as setter and they will also have Mazie Rubner who can set as well. However, the big game changer will be the addition of Iowa recruit Lauren Schrock who will be a Junior at Mount Vernon after spending her first two years of high school at Solon. Schrock can swing from either pin and is so electric when she swings that can really change the momentum of a game.
Assumption made it to state last year and dropped a five set thriller to Osage in the opening round, but will be returning two big attackers on the outside in Kylie Welch and Emma Schubert. Watchout for left handed, rightside Ava Schubert. She is nearly 6’0 tall with a big swing, the incoming Freshman will cause some major mismatches for the opposing side of the net.
There are some really exciting players who will be able to carry their teams deep into the postseason and who knows how far they can go if they are able to score points like they are capable of. Jazlin De Haan will be a physical force on the pin to contain for MOC-Floyd Valley. After being just shy of 400 kills her Sophomore season she will be back with a full repertoire of shots. West Liberty will have back their 1-2 punch in Macy Daufeldt, the Drake commit who will be a Sophomore as well as six rotation outside hitter Martha Pace. They will have to replace their libero in Macy Akers, but will have Maya Morales, a really solid defensive specialist as a Sophomore who would most likely take that role. Des Moines Christian will be back with their top two attackers in Megan Riddle and Alyson Dexter. The Lions made it to the Regional Final before falling to Mount Vernon. Keep tabs on Union and Belle Weber and her nearly 400 kills in her Sophomore year in 2018.
Taking a glance at overall enrollment, it looks like Heelan might be coming down to Class 3A. The tradition of Sioux City Heelan has always been a major thorn for teams in Western Iowa to get to state because the route usually goes through Heelan.