North Tama senior Addy Hochstetler smiles after signing her Letter of Athletic Intent for Women’s Volleyball at Mount Mercy University on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Traer. Hochstetler, a four-time all-conference first team libero pick, will receive $25,000 annually in total institutional academic and athletic aid as part of her signing. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TRAER – Her days on the volleyball court are not quite done yet.

Between a brief lull in winter weather events on the afternoon of Thursday, Jan. 22, North Tama’s Addison “Addy” Hochstetler gathered with her family, coaches, and fellow Redhawk student-athletes in the high school gym commons to sign her letter of intent to play volleyball next school year with the Mount Mercy University Mustangs in Cedar Rapids.

The senior defensive specialist/libero said she chose MMU as part of a recruitment process but was ultimately sold on becoming a Mustang because of head coach Deb Marlin. “[Coach Marlin] is really nice. She reminds me of Channing,” Hochstetler said in reference to Redhawk volleyball head coach Channing Halstead.

Hochstetler is now Halstead’s second student-athlete to play for the Mustangs following North Tama alumna Katie Kopriva’s transfer from Kirkwood to Mount Mercy in 2022.

This past fall, Hochstetler helped lead the Redhawks to their sixth state tournament appearance where they made it all the way to the semifinal round. Following the tournament, she was named All-Iowa Star Conference South Division Player of the Year while also earning first-team all-conference for the fourth year in a row after recording a league-high 486 digs during the 2025-26 season. Across all classes, she led in serve aces with 105.

Hochstetler (seated center) is pictured with her parents Matt and Sarah Hochstetler (second row, center and far right); siblings (clockwise from front left) Oliver, Jonah and Bentley, and uncle Tyler Zook (back row, far right) in the North Tama gym. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Hochstetler’s roommate next year will be a familiar face – Waterloo West setter Allyson “Ally” Landers. Both athletes will join a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) team that ended the 2025-26 season with a 13-12 overall record and 8-10 Heart of America Athletic Conference record. MMU has competed in the 15-team athletic conference since 2016.

While at Mount Mercy, Hochstetler said she plans to major in biochemistry in hopes of one day attending medical school for forensics.

Along with volleyball, Hochstetler wrestles for the Redhawks – she is currently ranked No. 3 at 145 pounds by IAwrestle, plays on the softball team, and is a member of the North Tama Band.

“She’s a good kid,” Coach Halstead told the newspaper following the signing ceremony. “Mature, smart, good leader, and great communicator. Makes good choices. And she has goals.”

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S, Addy, on all your continued success!

North Tama senior Addy Hochstetler, left, pictured alongside Redhawk volleyball head coach Channing Halstead on Thursday, Jan. 15, in the North Tama gym commons. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Hochstetler, right, pictured alongside Redhawk wrestling head coach Andrew Knaack on Thursday, Jan. 15, in the North Tama gym commons. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Hochstetler, right, pictured alongside North Tama softball head coach Madonna Madorin on Thursday, Jan. 15, in the North Tama gym commons. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER