Scouting Reports: Waterloo West Tops City High in 5

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   IOWA CITY, Iowa - Waterloo West and Iowa City High met twice last season. The Little Hawks won the season opener and then again in the regional semifinals.   The teams tipped off a new campaign here on Tuesday night. The Wahawks exacted revenge from a year ago by winning in five sets. It snapped (at least) a 13-game skid in the series according to Bound, whose records reach back to 2008. AD Tom Ulses checked through school yearbooks and found a five-set win for his school back in 2000 and said he was 98 percent sure it was West's last win in the series.   City High grabbed the first set and led, 2-1, after three. But West, which played a smaller rotation than did the Little Hawks, gained momentum and looked more connected in the final two sets.   Excellent performances emanated from both sides of the net. Here are eight of note:    Without question the MVP of the 2025 season-opening, five-set victory at Iowa City High, Jones not only made a lot of plays, she delivered at key points of the match. She was credited with 26 kills in all and contributed 13 digs. Jones has developed her attack a great deal in the last year. She's become more explosive and stronger. Jones' consistency through six rotations also has taken a step forward. She's very reliable in the back row and delivering accurate passes more regularly. Jones displayed a commitment to leadership and lifting up teammates throughout the match, something that noticeably benefitted her team.     A multi-year starter, Landers reached 1,500 career assists with her 49 dimes handed out during the 2025 season-opening, five-set victory at Iowa City High. She also came up with 17 digs and five kills. Landers stands out for her consistency, limiting unforced errors. She moves well and flows smoothly around the court through game action, putting herself in positions to make plays. Landers is an unquestioned leader for the Wahawks, having experienced plenty of highs and lows in her career. She's poised to enjoy the best season of her prep career.     Schoepske was credited with a team-high 23 digs during the Wahawks' 2025 season-opening, five-set win at Iowa City High. She also handed out seven assists. Her ability to get the ball to the pins provided the West attack with more ammunition. That was a bonus to her consistently strong play in the back row. Schoepske fights throughout points and goes hard for any available digs out on the court. Lateral quickness, quick reactions and good instincts position her to reach a lot of them. Schoepske has played a lot of volleyball in her Wahawk career and has become a clear team leader. She communicates well, sharing information with teammates.     A pattern has formed at Waterloo West with athletic six-rotation contributors playing major roles in leading it to victory. Homolar looked like the next in line during the Wahawks' 2025 season-opening win against Iowa City High. The junior recorded 20 kills (.254) and 15 digs. West needed someone to help make up for Jaden Smith's loss, and Homolar appeared ready for the challenge. She stood strong in a pressurized situation and delivered impactful plays. Like Smith, and current teammate Avan Jones, Homolar isn't a traditionally tall outside hitter. She succeeds with explosiveness and quick-twitch athleticism.     In her first varsity match, Crawford helped the Wahawks win at Iowa City High in the 2025 season-opener. The sophomore contributed eight kills and five digs during the five-setter. Crawford has the makings of an undersized outside hitter with skills to play through six rotations. West has built a competitive program with those type of student-athletes. Crawford's athleticism stands out. She's quick around the floor and jumps well. Crawford should continue her improvement with more court time.     Galloway impacted the opening match of 2025 against Waterloo West as she had so many others during the last two seasons. The junior middle was a two-way standout, mounting a powerful attack during her opportunities and denying those from her opponents throughout the match. While Galloway isn't always the tallest middle, she performs as big as most across the net from her thanks to her long arms, athleticism and technically sound game. Galloway has steadily improved during the last several years and already is among the state's top players at her position. She's on a great trajectory heading into an important year.     The super sophomore put an expanded game she developed during club season on display in the 2025 season-opener. Against Waterloo West, Schluckebier continued operating as the well-rounded player she was at her position last season. She consistently set the ball on point, where her attackers ate up the opposition. Schluckebier has since added a pretty impressive attack of her own. The lefty has a hammer at the opposite pin when she gets a clean swing. Also improved at defending at the net and in the back row, Schluckebier is trending up and, without question, one of the top 10th-graders in the state.     Loria showed during the 2025 season-opener against Waterloo West that she can impact matches at a higher level than her first two seasons of varsity volleyball. The junior is an explosive outside hitter capable of contributing through six rotations at this level, as she proved during a successful club campaign. Loria's attack has become more consistent in the last year. She's also worked hard on sharping her play in the back row. Loria can handle most varsity attacks and is improving her back-row skills through increased repetitions. Her athleticism and quick reactions give her a chance to be really solid through six.

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