What About Us? Class of 2023 Athletes Ready To Make A Statement
Ok, I’ll admit, I’m a little bit behind on reporting out on the Class of 2023. I start the club season out with 2020 and 2021, seeing who is available and which ones are still looking to find colleges and…
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Continue ReadingOk, I’ll admit, I’m a little bit behind on reporting out on the Class of 2023. I start the club season out with 2020 and 2021, seeing who is available and which ones are still looking to find colleges and which ones I haven’t seen since last club season and what progress they’ve made in the past year. These athletes are on high alert for committing and it’s great to be in the know of how they are playing and what new combinations are together. The Class of 2022 and 2023 I usually start watching Presidents into March with plenty of time to get to know who is on what team, what teams are soaring, and then all of a sudden they play for their high schools, jersey colors change, hair might be a different highlight, and I learn everyone all over again – ha! Either way, let’s get back on the court and start talking about volleyball again.
Avery Van Hook – Iowa Rockets 15R (Title Photo #12)
Van Hook played a huge role in Marion’s run to state this past season as a setter and attacker. She is long, athletic, and her upside is through the roof. She has the height, length, and athleticism to run a 5-1 at a high level – Oh, and she’s left handed and has played right side as well. She’s just a gamer, seeing her at the state tournament she had no fear – was exciting to see her get after it on the state’s biggest stage. Playing for Iowa Rockets 15R, she has led them to an early bid for USAV Nationals and will be one to definitely keep tabs on during her career.
Ava Schubert Ava Schubert 6'1" | RS Assumption | 2023 State #153 Nation IA – Iowa Select 16 Mizuno
SchubertSchubert’s been on the radar for a bit. She’s physical and so athletic. I did get to see part of her state tournament basketball game and she goes after rebounds like she is going after a 50/50 ball at the net (the refs might not appreciate the aggressiveness, but I sure did). She will be an extremely key piece to Iowa Select and Assumption next fall with an improved backcourt game which will make her really dangerous when she can start scoring points from right back with a major left handed swing.
Mara Fluent Mara Fluent 5'9" | S Cedar Rapids Kennedy | 2023 State IA – Six Pack 15U
Such a quick release. Fluent has the ability to remain neutral and set a variety of tempos all over the court. She has great feet to get to the ball and keep her offense in system rather than just bump setting it high and out to the pin. With quick feet and quick hands, she also has the ability to find the open spot on the other side of the court – a great feel for the game.
Lily Dykstra Lily Dykstra 6'0" | OH Urbandale | 2023 State #127 Nation IA – Iowa Power Plex
Dyskstra is the real deal with her power from the outside and six rotation ability. High contact point, aggressive attack getting to ball fast, she has the makings of really being the type of impact player where she is a threat everywhere on the court. Iowa Power Plex 15s are an Open level squad where they had a strong showing at the Colorado Crossroads and will continue to be a force once they can get back on the court.
Ella Meyer Ella Meyer 5'5" | DS/L Western Dubuque | 2023 State IA – DBQ Elite 16 National
MeyerMeyer had a major breakout part at the Iowa State Tournament for Western Dubuque enroute to two major upsets with Wahlert Catholic and Xavier enroute to a state runner-up finish. She can move, anticipate and take major pace off the ball keeping her side in-system. There is a presence about her where she isn’t afraid to command the court despite being one of the youngest players out there. Her ability to control what happens on defense is definitely a sign of her maturity.
Delaney Bombei – Adrenaline 15 Kayla/Doug
Bombei looks the part and just has a ton of athleticism. She can play on either pin, but spends most of her time dominating on the right side. A big arm, physicality, and with her strength at the net she can provide a really stong block and a mismatch for the other side of the net. Her upside has her being a top player to watch out of this class with her ability to score points on both pins.
Cassidy Hartman Cassidy Hartman 5'10" | MB Iowa City Liberty | 2023 State #130 Nation IA n – Six Pack 15U
Hartman made a huge splash onto the high school season this past fall and a key contributor as a Freshman for Liberty enroute to their first state volleyball appearance. She was the top kill leader and found ways to contribute in every rotation. She can score from any front row position, but she has the ability to be a scary good six rotation outside hitter.
Jasmine Namminga Jasmine Namminga 6'1" | MB Pella | 2023 State IA – Club Ignit Select 16 Blue
Namminga is playing up on Club Ignit Select 16 Blue which is one of the top 16s teams in the country after winning the Triple Crown Invite in Kansas City this past Presidents Day. A great jumper, laterally quick, Namminga has the athleticism to keep up with some of the best around. Her dynamic ability is comparable to former Pella standout and current UNI Panther in Emily Holterhaus Emily Holterhaus 6'2" | MB Pella | 2019 State IA .
Other Class of 2023’s
Kalvyn Rosengarten Kalvyn Rosengarten 6'3" | MB Wapsie Valley | 2023 State IA – Six Pack 15U
Shelby Kimm Shelby Kimm 6'0" | OH Iowa City Liberty | 2023 State IA – Iowa Rockets 15R
Piper Frost Piper Frost 5'7" | DS/L Cedar Falls | 2023 State IA – CIA 15 Black
Claudia Aschenbrenner Claudia Aschenbrenner 5'10" | OH Osage | 2023 State IA – CIA 15 Black
Olivia Lombardi Olivia Lombardi 5'7" | DS/L West Des Moines Valley | 2023 State IA – Six Pack 16U
Chloe Cline Chloe Cline 6'1" | MB Pleasant Valley | 2023 State IA – Iowa Rockets 15R