Hannah Willms

Dike-New Hartford, Senior, Volleyball

Arguably the state's top female prep athlete, Willms is looking to end her senior volleyball campaign on a high note. She has guided fifth-rated Dike-New Hartford to a 7-0 record, including a tournament championship in Vinton last weekend. "As an athlete goes, she's able to make something out of a lot of balls and do a lot of stuff that other teams just don't expect somebody to be able to do," coach Diane Harms said. Maturity in shot selection has resulted in a .430 hitting efficiency for Willms. She is averaging 4.3 kills and 2.9 digs per game. Also a four-event Class 2A state track and field record-holder, Willms plans to play volleyball at Iowa State next fall.

Aaron Elbert

Denver, Senior, Football

The Cyclones' returning Class 3A first-team all-district quarterback helped orchestrate a memorable 23-22 come-from-behind win over Hudson in week one. Elbert's 31-yard touchdown run and 17-yard touchdown pass in the second half erased a 15-point deficit. Denver's offensive MVP from a year ago has rushed for 173 yards and four touchdowns while quarterbacking his team to a 2-0 start. "He's shown great leadership skills," head coach Rhett Barrett said. "He's got a lot of physical skill he brings to the team with running our veer and mid-line. He has a great feel for our offense." In addition to football, Elbert has also participated in soccer and baseball.

Ashley Berinobis

Waterloo East, Senior, Volleyball

The Trojans' outside hitter has evolved into a strong all-around player this season. In Waterloo East's season-opening tournament Saturday at New Hampton, Berinobis finished with 14 kills and one error to go with 10 assists and 31 digs. She served 68-for-69 with 14 aces. "She's really stepped up her game this year," East coach Ali Rahnavardi said. "She's shown a lot of leadership by her actions on the court. I didn't think she was going to play back row for us, but she's really improved her passing and defense and she plays all the way around." The 3.8 GPA student also is a member of East's diversity club and participated in basketball and tennis.

Mike Rathe

Wapsie Valley, Senior, Football

Three scoring runs of more than 50 yards highlighted Rathe's big night Friday in a 35-0 win over Jesup. The returning third-team Class A all-state running back finished with three touchdowns, rushing for 225 yards on 14 carries. "Mike always runs hard," coach Tony Foster said of Rathe, who accumulated 1,328 yards last season. "He hits the hole very hard and he just has some good shiftiness. … He picks his holes really well, and he can cut and not lose any speed." In addition to football, Rathe was a member of Wapsie Valley's state-qualifying shuttle hurdle relay team and he also participates in basketball.

Hilary Keller

Hudson, Senior, Volleyball

After sharing duties in Hudson's 6-2 rotation last season, Keller has embraced her role as the team's lone setter in a 5-1 attack this fall. The Pirates' setter tallied 65 assists in 10 games Saturday as Hudson captured a title at the BCLUW Invitational. Keller was 30-for-31 serving with five aces for the 8-1 Pirates. "Hilary has done a good job as far as helping us run a faster offense this year," coach Kevin Wurzer said. "She's developed into a good team leader on and off and the floor. She's a really level-headed, stable player who doesn't get rattled in big points." Keller is a 3.73 GPA student.

Chris Smith

Waterloo West, Senior, Cross country

A three-year letterwinner, Smith earned his first career varsity victory Thursday at the Charles City Invitational. Smith's personal-record time of 16:54 was 18 seconds faster than his previous best. The first-place finish is one week removed from a fifth-place effort in Marshalltown. "He has really worked his butt off in the offseason," coach Matt Mackenzie said. "Running has become more or less a hobby for him. … It wasn't just a good week of practice or anything like that, it's really been building up to having an opportunity to run well." Smith is also a 4x800 state qualifier in track and was on West's 2007 state-qualifying cross country team.

Barkley Hill

Cedar Falls, Sophomore, Football

In his first season of varsity football, the Tigers' sophomore hasn't had any problems handling the role of featured running back. Friday night, Hill tallied 160 yards and four touchdowns in a 42-7 win over Waterloo East that improved his team to 1-1. "He did an outstanding job of running against East High," Cedar Falls co-head coach Pat Mitchell said of his 6-foot, 190-pound sophomore. "He's just fit right in very well. He's real quiet, very hard-working, very coachable. … He has good speed and he has good vision." In addition to football, Hill also participates in basketball and was a state qualifier in track last spring.

Emmett Fritz

NU High, Senior, Football

Fritz has become a star on both sides of the ball for the Panthers this season. The center handles long and short snaps while blocking for a team that is averaging 326 yards per game. Thursday night, Fritz had seven tackles and 2.5 sacks from his defensive end position as NU High improved to 2-0 with a win over GMG. "Emmett is one of our most improved players from last year," coach Kody Asmus said. "He worked extremely hard in the offseason and we are seeing that hard work beginning to pay off. He seems to improve every play, practice and game." Fritz is a two-time all-conference golfer who was a member of NU's 2008 state championship golf team.