Iowa 2024 Feature Series: Standout Pin Hitters
Time to branch into Iowa for a while. The natural break that comes in the month of May is a great time for volleyball junkies like us to take a step back and reflect on how the club season has…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingTime to branch into Iowa for a while.
The natural break that comes in the month of May is a great time for volleyball junkies like us to take a step back and reflect on how the club season has unfolded so far. We can gather our notes, review film, and revisit those standout players that stole the spotlight in big events. That will be my goal here as we look to feature some Iowa players who have had a breakout start to 2022.
2024s are first up in our journey through the Hawkeye State. More specifically, we’re starting with some pin hitters that have really caught my attention this year. I’ve mentioned before that Iowa teams have had a big contingent at the events I’ve visited, so we’ll have plenty of names to go through and memories to evoke.
On the Outside
Right now, it’s safe to say that the outside hitter spot might be a strength of Iowa’s 2024 class.
So many Iowa club teams come to mind when talking about frontcourt talent. Six Pack 16, for example, emerged as a Gold pool contender at the Show Me Qualifier behind a plethora of effective pin hitters. The electric duo of Payton Petersen Payton Petersen 6'0" | OH Dike-New Hartford | 2024 State #55 Nation IA and Jadyn Petersen Jadyn Petersen 5'9" | OH Dike-New Hartford | 2024 State #195 Nation IA just keeps delivering for this team. Not only will this legendary Dike-New Hartford tandem beat you on the left pin, but both Petersens bring some impressive six-rotation skills that give them a full-time role out on the court. There are plenty of other pin hitters we’ll be keeping an eye on with this group, too, as players like Isabelle Elliott Isabelle Elliott 6'0" | OH Sumner-Fredericksburg | 2024 State #130 Nation IA have demonstrated their willingness to score in clutch situations.
Six Pack 16 pulls it off! Starting Sunday with a three-set win.
Payton Petersen Payton Petersen 6'0" | OH Dike-New Hartford | 2024 State #55 Nation IA puts down the clincher. pic.twitter.com/pW251BKzXx
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) April 10, 2022
Iowa Rockets 16R is another team full of 2024s that have impressed me this year. Mary Kate Bendlage and Nessa Hardaway Nessa Hardaway 6'0" | MB Iowa City Liberty | 2024 State IA are two players that have stepped up on the pins lately, while Siena Roethler can take on both an opposite and setter role. After earning a Nationals bid in 16 USA at NLQ this year, Rockets will continue to put the strength of Iowa 2024s on display this summer.
While we’re discussing teams that have found success at national qualifiers, let’s dip into the talent that Iowa PowerPlex has stockpiled in the 16s age group. PowerPlex 16U Black emerged from Show Me with an undefeated 16 USA championship, and that perfection had a lot to do with the team’s production on the outside. Ava Helming Ava Helming 6'0" | MB Johnston | 2024 State IA has embraced a major attacking role at the opposite position, and her physicality is an indispensable part of the 16U Black lineup. That trend can be seen on the left pin, too, with Chloe Jones and Josie Pundt Josie Pundt 6'0" | OH Johnston | 2024 State IA certainly not shying away from taking a high volume of swings. Mark this PowerPlex squad down as a group I’ll be anxious to see on the Nationals stage.
Iowa Select 16 Mizuno also found success at the aforementioned Show Me Qualifier, adding to the widespread success that Select has found throughout many of its age groups. Maggie Johnson Maggie Johnson 5'11" | MB Assumption | 2024 State IA is a left-side hitter who has had so many standout performances for 16 Mizuno. Her fast arm and quickness off the floor have made her a go-to player to take care of any tough swings. Likewise, Mia Tubbs Mia Tubbs 6'3" | S Clinton | 2024 State IA is finding a big role on this team as a terminal opposite who can also take over at the setter spot if needed.
Of course, I’d be remiss not to mention the talented hitters for Club Ignit Select 16 Blue. Here’s a squad that is certainly building some nice depth on the pins, and that ought to translate into plenty of future success. Kenzie Dean Kenzie Dean 6'3" | OH Dowling Catholic | 2024 State #145 Nation IA is an outside hitter who has been on my radar since way back in 2020 when she made an appearance at one of our preseason high school events in Omaha. She’s finding her stride as a six-rotation hitter and will continue to grow those skills at CIS. Meanwhile, Noelle Sutcliffe Noelle Sutcliffe 5'11" | OH Norwalk | 2024 State IA is also emerging as a reliable left-side attacker who will readily participate in backcourt defense and serve receive.