Scouting Reports: Iowa City West Trojans 2025

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/09/iowa-prep-dig-week-3-class-team-rankings/">Iowa Prep Dig Week 3 Team Rankings</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IOWA CITY, Iowa –&nbsp;</strong>Iowa City West High hosted its annual Live Like Line Tournament last Saturday. The event honors the late Caroline Found, an impactful member of the school and community. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although the short-handed Trojans fell in the championship match, they showed, once again, that they're a factor in the 5A field this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at six West student-athletes standing out:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["360642"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68cd7844d308f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Austen suffered an injury during the Live Like Line Tournament in early September. She helped the Trojans cruise into bracket play before suffering the setback. Having convinced me and many others that she's a top-flight talent years ago, Austen hasn't rested on her laurels. She's arrived at this point through hard work and putting in the time. Austen's attack has become more consistent since seeing her at the Iowa Regional club tournament in the spring. She identifies block sooner and attacks holes in the defense. A good athlete with quick-twitch traits and lateral quickness, Austen has improved her consistency in the back row, too. She's considered one of the state's top players for a reason, many of them, actually.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["754657"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68cd79a7e1701"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Those of us that have been watching Blommer on the club circuit aren't surprised by her success as a freshman in the state's largest classification. She stands out for her explosive athleticism and skills that are developing. Blommer's trajectory puts her on a path that should have her on college coach's radar, if she's not already there. A handful at the pin, Blommer jumps well and repeats her swing. Already with plenty of power present, she'll add to it with physical growth and additional strength. Blommer is a fundamentally-sound player already, which allows her to succeed through six rotations as a ninth-grader. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["533845"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68cd7b64115f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Otte has made great strides in developing her game during the last year. She's faced top competition throughout, and it shows. Gifted with length and athleticism, Otte has complemented those traits with better understanding how to read opponents. That has helped her on the attack and with the block. Through the Trojans first 18 matches of the 2025 season, she ranked third among them in kills (104) and led the way with 30.0 blocks. She'd also come up with 46 digs, an indication that her overall contributions were growing. Otte looks like one of the better prospects in Iowa's 2028 Class with plenty of room to go before reaching a considerable ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["610472"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68cd7d193a248"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Austen has really lifted her level of play during the last year. She's settling in as a right-side hitter and having an impact as a freshman on the West varsity. Through the team's first 18 matches, Austen had produced 52 kills, 69 digs and 11.0 blocks. The statistics reflect a growing all-around game. For a young player, Austen already generates impressive power from her swing. She jumps well and hang-time gives her an opportunity to work around the block. Austen continues improving her efficiency and consistency, making her a talent packed with potential to reach heights well above already impressive production.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["540833"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68cd7e493eec5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another West High prospect with an up arrow, McDonald has helped solidify the Trojans defense in the back row. McDonald has steadily improved since last season, showing it on the club circuit and again when I scouted her in the Live Like Line Tournament at Iowa City West in early September. McDonald was helping the team connect with her passing, serve-receive and communication. She was leading the squad with 182 digs through the first 18 matches. McDonald embodies what you look for in a libero. She's quick laterally with sharp reflexes. McDonald reads the attack well and puts herself in position to make plays. Her stock is rising.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["555736"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68cd8078eee0e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sometimes overshadowed by her talented teammates, Eastvold deserves a lot of credit for Iowa City West's rise in 2025. The junior setter brings the consistency and leadership to the position necessary for success. Eastvold has shown that when I've scouted her on the club circuit or when operating in school ball. She puts the ball where her attackers can maximize their skills and mixes up her sets to keep defenses honest. If she sees a hole on the other side of the net, it will be exploited. Eastvold has come up with 84 digs and 12.0 blocks during the Trojans' first 18 matches, illustrating her contributions as an effective all-around defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->