Standout Iowa 2024s at MLK Challenge
The Hawkeye State sent plenty of players to the MLK Challenge Qualifier in Kansas City. Many of these athletes made themselves known by the end of the event. So, let’s get you acquainted with a few of Iowa’s top-performing 2024s…
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Continue ReadingThe Hawkeye State sent plenty of players to the MLK Challenge Qualifier in Kansas City. Many of these athletes made themselves known by the end of the event.
So, let’s get you acquainted with a few of Iowa’s top-performing 2024s from an exciting weekend of tournament play. I have a feeling I’ll be seeing a lot more action from these teams over the course of the club season, and that will provide a lot of opportunities to feature more talent. Consider this a preliminary look at the talent-rich 2024 class.
Ava Helming Ava Helming 6'0" | MB Johnston | 2024 State IA – 5’11 MB/RS – Iowa PowerPlex 16U Black
We’re going to have a lot of time to discuss everything that Iowa PowerPlex 16U Black accomplished in Kansas City over the weekend. For now, though, this feature has a couple of players who were crucial to 16U Black’s run through pools and bracket play. Helming appears on this feature for her terminal swing at the opposite position and her ability to play in multiple spots across the net. Her length was also an asset in the blocking phase as she shut down a lot of left-side attackers at this event.
Finley Schelhaas – 5’5 L – Iowa PowerPlex 16U Black
Schelhaas just keeps getting better and better. She is undoubtedly emerging as one of Iowa’s top 2024 stock risers as she anchors the backcourt year-round. For Iowa PowerPlex, Schelhaas is a serve receive anchor who always gets her feet to the ball and delivers dimes to her setter. Her floor defense is equally efficient, too. Having a libero like this can win you a lot of club matches, and that’s exactly what PowerPlex did at the MLK Challenge.
Gabrielle Mixdorf – 5’8 OH/DS – Ohana 16 Regional
Now, we’re getting into the Ohana teams that made the Kansas City trip to compete in 16 Club. The Grimes, Iowa, club got a lot of great moments from their 16 Regional squad, and Mixdorf was often in the middle of it all. Her biggest contribution to this team might be her passing, as she is an absolute rock in middle-back serve receive. Of course, Mixdorf also brought some nice swings to the left pin to round out her complete game.
Emma Liechti – 5’11 MB – Ohana 16 Regional
Speaking of the 16 Regional frontcourt, Liechti brought a lot of physicality to the Ohana lineup. She’s a long, skilled middle from Ankeny Centennial who could always be relied upon to get a kill when attacking in front of the setter. On the defensive side, Liechti closed blocks well and has a good feel for lateral movement. Her big-play potential should continue to shine in 2022.
Jenna McCuddin – 5’8 S/RS – Ohana 16 National
We saw a lot of two-setter systems from the Iowa teams in this division, so there’s a lot of room to talk about skilled setter-opposites. 16 National has a good one in McCuddin. She doesn’t miss a beat when transitioning from setter to hitter, and she always manages to make a big impact when playing either position. McCuddin could realistically slot into the middle blocker spot if necessary.
Ruby Patterson – 5’10 MB – Ohana 16 National
I can’t help but get excited to talk about Des Moines Roosevelt athletes after they rocked the first Prep Dig event I ever covered. Patterson is an up-and-coming middle blocker who had a big presence for this Ohana team. Whenever there was a good pass at the net, setting Patterson in front of the setter was a no-brainer.