An Early Farewell To The Class of 2020 – Who Is Heading To College Early?

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Senior year of volleyball can be a little bit odd.  The hype starts at the beginning of the year and in a blink of an eye, the season is over and for many its preparation for club or temporary retirement, their other sports and activities.  At times the Senior year seems like it just drags throughout the winter with anticipation of prom and graduation, but yet it goes by all too fast asking, where did the time go? For the Class of 2020, there are a few who will be starting their college career a bit early.  </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Why head to college a semester ahead of schedule?  That's a loaded question. Athletes will head to college early for various reasons.  For some, they can get a head start academically. After their AP classes in high school, the classes left to take their second semester of a Senior year might be a bit limited, why not take classes at your future school and start applying them towards a degree?  College volleyball matches start before class typically begins for the Fall semester. For these athletes, they are juggling being away from home, classes, weight training, volleyball all at once. By enrolling early, athletes get a head start on their academics, get accustomed to the program through the spring season, and for athletes who are expecting to come in and contribute right away that learning curve is less steep by going early.  Is going early to school for everyone? No. But every case is its own situation and with some of these athletes heading early, they are ones who have been some of the best to ever play in Iowa, and will continue to make an impact on the national level.  </span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Long rally ends with an EIX kill by Kacia Brown a <a href="https://x.com/HailStateVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HailStateVB</a> commit <a href="https://t.co/8UjEpRLBza">pic.x.com/8UjEpRLBza</a></p> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1109798790402371584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2019</a></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p><strong>Kacia Brown - Cedar Falls</strong></p> <p><strong>Committed to Mississippi State</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brown is heading to Mississippi State as one of the top attackers that the state has seen.  From the intensity, passion, and energy Brown brings to the court as well as a violent swing from the outside, Brown racked up two state titles as well as the 2019 Elite Player of the Year in Iowa.  Her performance in the state tournament this past season started with a state record in the quarterfinals with 37 kills in a five set match. She would go on to have 23 kills in the state championship, being named captain of the All-Tournament team.  There is some familiarity to the SEC with the Brown family with her older sister Kaz, being a star at Kentucky.  </span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://x.com/aliyah_carter22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@aliyah_carter22</a> just getting it done. This is a ridiculous match up for a 2 vs 3 seed in pool play with EIX vs Adversity <a href="https://t.co/9VKGBrZTjW">pic.x.com/9VKGBrZTjW</a></p> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1109120269921239041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 22, 2019</a></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/player/aliyah-carter/">Aliyah Carter</a> - Dubuque Wahlert </strong></p> <p><strong>Committed to Kansas State</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the top overall athletes in the state, Carter not only brought home two state titles in volleyball, but was also a two-time state champion in the long jump. Watching Carter play, you can't help but be in awe in her jumping ability, often times hitting over the block and doing some pretty amazing things no matter what rotation she's in - front or backrow.  Carter joined with Brown this past club season for Eastern Iowa Xtreme 17 Teal in winning the National Division at USAV Nationals. Her legacy is well cemented in the history books of Iowa high school volleyball as are all of these athletes. She could be one to contribute right away when she heads to Manhattan, Kansas to compete for Kansas State in the Big 12. </span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">I take a look at the Tipton/New Hampton court and <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/sommer-daniel/">Sommer Daniel</a> is Tipton is always involved. Whether it's taking a swing or setting she can do it all. She will be heading to <a href="https://x.com/UtahVolleyball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UtahVolleyball</a></p> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1060203313390587909?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2018</a></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/player/sommer-daniel/">Sommer Daniel</a> - Tipton </strong></p> <p><strong>Committed to Utah </strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A student of the game, a high IQ player, and the ultimate swiss army knife athlete - <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/sommer-daniel/">Sommer Daniel</a> was something special to watch with how she could dissect the other side of the net.  She is one of the few who have over one thousand assists, digs, and kills. Daniel earned multiple All-State honors and was the 2018 Class 3A Player of the Year. She will take her talents to the PAC-12 and join the Utah volleyball program who made a major statement this past season, taking national champion to five sets int he NCAA tournament and will be a favorite for the 2020 season.  Daniel's all-around ability will be used as a setter at Utah and will also play beach for the Utes as well. </span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://prepdig.com/player/bailey-ortega/">Bailey Ortega</a> running the show followed by a Clubb kill <a href="https://x.com/recruitingasst?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@recruitingasst</a> <a href="https://t.co/dgYv9mvcGH">pic.x.com/dgYv9mvcGH</a></p> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1136781709905727489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2019</a></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/player/bailey-ortega/">Bailey Ortega</a> - Davenport North </strong></p> <p><strong>Committed to Iowa</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ortega will be a local favorite when she heads to Iowa.  Playing just down the road at Davenport North, Ortega brings a spark, a motor, and a smile to really light up the court.  She will be a major presence in the gym from her ability to distribute to attackers as well as the positive dispositions she will bring to the gym culture.  She was also on the EIX 17 Teal team that won a national title with Brown and Carter.  </span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ok <a href="https://x.com/BadgerVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BadgerVB</a> fans, meet your incoming Class of 2020 middle <a href="https://x.com/Devyn_Robinson_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Devyn_Robinson_</a> of <a href="https://x.com/acgcchargervb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@acgcchargervb</a> - so fun, energetic, and will no doubt be a fan favorite! <a href="https://t.co/xAcIqCxx13">pic.x.com/xAcIqCxx13</a></p> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1183025076955955202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2019</a></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/player/devyn-robinson/">Devyn Robinson</a> - Ankeny Centennial </strong></p> <p><strong>Committed to Wisconsin </strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I was at the Wisconsin match versus Nebraska when they introduced the 2020 recruiting class for the Badgers which received a standing ovation.  Robinson was so dominant for Ankeny Centennial and was part of some really talented Iowa PowerPlex squads who were always contenders at a national level.  Her speed, athleticism, and physicality will really make a difference at the next level when she competes in the best conference in the country. She will bring a whole new dynamic to the Badger who have the tall and long middle blockers of Dana Rettke and Danielle Hart, but Robinson will be the lightning strike to the thunder of Rettke and Hart to be the ultimate storm in the Big Ten. </span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">🚨Volleyball Prospects🚨<br /> <br /> Registration is now open for the Tour of Iowa Showcase!<br /> <br /> 📅 1/24<br /> <br /> 📍 The Volleyball Factory<br /> <br /> 🗣️ Open to ALL Class of 2020-2023 prospects!<br /> <br /> 🔥 Play in front of college coaches!<br /> <br /> SIGN-UP NOW ⬇️<a href="https://t.co/3s47NDpqYI">https://t.co/3s47NDpqYI</a> <a href="https://t.co/Fnh71GufWk">pic.x.com/Fnh71GufWk</a></p> — Prep Dig Iowa (@PrepDigIA) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigIA/status/1207442889044836352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2019</a></blockquote> <p><script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>