The Debate For #1 In Iowa’s Class of 2023
The case to be number one. In the Iowa Class of 2023, there are many who can be number one. Talk to other coaches, and there’s justification for many athletes to be the top recruit. This speaks to the depth…
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Continue ReadingThe case to be number one. In the Iowa Class of 2023, there are many who can be number one. Talk to other coaches, and there’s justification for many athletes to be the top recruit. This speaks to the depth of athletes in the Class of 2023 when you have a handful who have justification to be number one. Here is the debate for each.
Class of 2023 Rankings Are Updated! The Iowa Class of 2023 Rankings are updated! We do our best to keep up with player information, however athletes keep on growing, some switch clubs, positions, and high schools. If you have any player information to be updated please email info@prepdig.com
Lily Dykstra Lily Dykstra 6'0" | OH Urbandale | 2023 State #127 Nation IA – PowerPlex – Urbandale
Dykstra is the top prospect in the Class of 2023. What sets her apart. She is long, athletic, solid in six rotations, and still has a major upside to her game where she has continued to improve each time she steps on the court. PowerPlex has a strong core of 2023 athletes scattered throughout the rankings, but Dykstra sits at the top. She is extremely effective and efficient no matter where she is.
Ava Schubert Ava Schubert 6'1" | RS Assumption | 2023 State #153 Nation IA – Iowa Select – Assumption
Schubert is such a natural. She can even step on to the basketball court and look like a major prospect at the next level, but volleyball is all hers. A 6’1 left handed right side, Schubert has been a dominant player since she was 14, playing up on the 16s Iowa Select squad. She is a six rotation right side who is four for four in opportunities to get to state with two in volleyball and two in basketball. She has led her Iowa State 17 Mizuno squad to the club’s first ever finals appearance at Iowa Regionals. They have a bid to USAV Championships in Vegas in June and Schubert will definitely be on the list of many college coaches once they can officially start the recruiting process with her on June 15.
Claudia Aschenbrenner Claudia Aschenbrenner 5'10" | OH Osage | 2023 State IA – CIA – Osage
Aschenbrenner is multi-talent not only playing multiple positions on the volleyball court, but also being a multisport athlete and one who will definitely start the day right by singing the national anthem before an event. Aschenbrenner has been a middle blocker, winning a state championship for Osage this past fall, but is now playing on the pin, mostly the right side. With her ability to block she knows how to shut down an opponent’s outside hitter. She is so explosive with her approach and swing, a heavy arm indeed that makes it so tough for opponents to cleanly defend her. Oh, and she is automatic attack off one foot.
Cassidy Hartman Cassidy Hartman 5'10" | MB Iowa City Liberty | 2023 State #130 Nation IA – Six Pack – Iowa City Liberty
After watching Hartman at the state tournament, I was ready to put Hartman at the top of the Class – no questions. She had a breakout state tournament which included a semifinal victory with 35 kills over Dowling Catholic. A scorer in all rotations, the outside hitter has a loose arm with a whip where she can score on a variety of shots. She is a key piece to the Six Pack 16s team who were crowned Iowa Regional Champions and earned a National Bid to Vegas. They will have a full schedule of Open qualifiers to close out the season where Hartman will be going against some of the top teams in the country.
Gabby Deery Gabby Deery 6'2" | MB Burlington Notre Dame | 2023 State IA – Iowa Rockets – Burlington Notre Dame
Chloe Cline Chloe Cline 6'1" | MB Pleasant Valley | 2023 State IA – Iowa Rockets – Pleasant Valley
The duo for Iowa Rockets are long, athletic, and just get the job done. They are highly efficient from multiple positions in the front row. Seeing them live earlier this winter, they showed that they can move from pin to pin, score from a variety of spots in the front row, and make it look easy. Their teams have also found success with Deery winning a state title for Burlington Notre Dame and Cline playing in the final four of Class 5A with Pleasant Valley. Their length and athleticism is a huge plus for their Rockets squad.
Avery Van Hook Avery Van Hook 5'9" | S Marion | 2023 State #134 Nation IA – Iowa Rockets – Marion
VanHook might be the most dynamic player in the Class of 2023 with a fierce, competitive edge to her game. She is a left handed setter who can defend, attack and distribute. For her high school squad she can also attack on the right side and at all levels, is very physical at the net. She is super gritty and can will her team to victory by making plays when they need it the most. She has made quite connection with Deery and Cline as well as Jessie Julius Jessie Julius 5'7" | OH Williamsburg | 2023 State IA who is on the pin for Rockets as well.
Olivia Lombardi Olivia Lombardi 5'7" | DS/L West Des Moines Valley | 2023 State IA – PowerPlex – West Des Moines Valley
The athleticism of Lombardi is tough to top. She covers plenty of ground as a libero where she is long, quick, and knows how to anticipate what is next on her side of the net. She has always competed a year above her grade level and was definitely a standout for Valley when they were at the state tournament this past fall. She knows how to play big in big moments. And…we need to keep liberos in the conversation for top players in any division or class.