Flashback! Taking a Look At Iowa’s Class of 2016
For most of Iowa’s Class of 2015, they will be entering their Senior year….of college. The cliche of “Time Flies”, really rings true as it seems like most of them were just finishing their prep careers. These athletes have battled through injury, finding the perfect fit for their college, but yet have found success and a new volleyball family whether it be close to home or across the country. Here is a quick glance at the Class of 2015.
Karlie Taylor – Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont
Northern Iowa
Taylor was a standout for Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont as well as playing for CIA in her prep days. Now she is tearing up the court in the Valley as a star for UNI earning First Team All MVC as well as NCAA All Region. Taylor will be a go-to player for the Panthers again in her Senior season, looking to lead the Panthers to another NCAA Tournament.
Josie Herbst playing for Bettendorf.Josie Herbst – Bettendorf
Iowa State
The 2015 Class 5A Player of the Year at Bettendorf had quite the prep career finishing off with two state runner up trophies. After playing at UNLV her Freshman year, Herbst transferred to Iowa State where she found plenty of success on the pin averaging nearly 2.5 kills per set and multiple double digit kill performances.
Abbi Staack – Waverly-Shell Rock
Northern Iowa
Staack was an all around athlete for WSR playing in the state tournament for volleyball and soccer. However, volleyball was her sport earning 1st Team All State honors in Class 4A. She has been a steady defender for the Panthers where she had over 200 digs in 2018.
Megan Sharkey – Bettendorf
Megan SharkeyCreighton
Sharkey had a very decorated career as a setter for Bettendorf with lots of individual and team hardware along the way. After two years of playing for Rutgers where she gathered over 1,000 assists, she made the transfer to Creighton where she was part of their 2018 Big East Title.
Rylee Andresen – Midland
University of Dubuque
Anderson was an All Conference selection in the American Rivers Conference where UD claimed the conference title and a spot in the NCAA D3 National Tournament. Andresen is a major presence at the net with 89 blocks and 2.5 kills per set as a middle blocker.
Summer Goss – Treynor
Buena Vista
Goss comes from perennial high school power in Treynor. Last season, Goss was an all conference libero with over 400 total digs.
Cassedi Simon – West Liberty
Cassedi SimonBoise State
West Liberty had quite a year with Simon in 2015 along with Hailey Daufeldt. Simon was the Class 3A Player of the Year and took her game to Boise State where she was the Broncos top setter in 2018 as well as earning All Academic honors.
Kaira Moss – Western Christian
Grand Canyon University
Moss was part of a state championship program at Western, earning Class 2A Player of the Year honors. Moss went Southwest to Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. Battling injuries early in her career, Moss was able to persevere and was most recently named to the All-Freshman Team in the WAC.
Ali Verzani – Lawton-Bronzon
Ali VerzaniTennessee Tech
Verzani was a multisport start in Western Iowa and started her collegiate volleyball career at Iowa Western where she earned NJCAA All American Honors. In her first year at Tennessee Tech, Verzani led the Golden Eagles in kills with 332 kills while also have over 300 digs.
Brittni Olson – Sergeant Bluff – Luton
Morningside
Olson was an All State athlete for SBL where she was able to stay close to home and play for Morningside in Sioux City where she had over 200 kills and 60 blocks as a middle for the Mustangs.
Trystin Luneckas – West Branch
Grand View
Grand View has developed into a national powerhouse at the NAIA level, finishing in the final four in 2018. Luneckas was not an All-State player in high school, but earned NAIA All American honors for Grand View last year averaging over 10 assists a set and an overall record of 36-1.