Scouting Reports: Dowling Catholic Maroons 2025

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/10/bracket-breakdown-predictions-classes-5a-4a/">Bracket Breakdown, Predictions: Classes 5A, 4A</a>   <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/10/bracket-breakdown-predictions-classes-3a-2a-1a/">Bracket Breakdown, Predictions: Classes 3A, 2A, 1A</a>   <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/10/weigh-in-wednesday-vote-for-states-top-setter/">Weigh-In Wednesday: Vote for State's Top Setter</a>   CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Westside Invitational on Oct. 11 at Jefferson High allowed for the scouting of top teams across multiple classifications. Among them was 5A title hopeful Dowling Catholic. I watched the Maroons face off against a tough field in reaching the Gold Bracket, where it fell to eventual-champion Centennial.   Here's a closer look at some of the Dowling student-athletes giving the Maroons a chance for a deep postseason run:    Muller is headed to Missouri on a basketball scholarship. That probably disappoints a number of college volleyball coaches envisioning a future of her impacting play at the net. I've scouted Muller doing just that the last few seasons and caught up with her again at the Westside Invite in CR on Oct. 11, 2025. Usually it's watching her dominate the action as a two-way middle hitter, the senior was swinging away from the outside pin on this occasion. There, the explosive athleticism needed on the hardwood was translating over to the volleyball court. Muller was skying into the air with hang time and clearly visible advantage against her opponents. The defense required as a middle was an added bonus when she threw up the block from the pin. If it's the last season playing competitively, Muller is going out playing her best volleyball.     I wrote about Groeteke being one of the top uncommitted seniors in Iowa back in August. After watching her again at the Westside Invite in Cedar Rapids on Oct. 11, 2025, I still was scratching my head as to why that still was the case. Groeteke continues standing out as a two-way opposite pin with room to grow before reaching her potential. She's steadily improved throughout her prep career, this season ranking second on the Maroons in kills with 151 through 72 sets, just seven behind the leader. Her 39.0 blocks also ranked second on the squad. With a .265 hitting percentage, Groeteke is reliable on the right side. Her height and long arms work to her advantage as does her explosion off of the court, vertical leap, hang time and powerful swing.     Klein got her feet wet during limited duty as a freshman in 2023. Last season, she broke out with a team-high 322 kills in 99 sets played. The junior is at it again in 2025, if an in-person scouting opportunity at the Westside Invite on Oct. 11 in Cedar Rapids was any indication. Klein has sharpened her skill set and become more consistent. She had produced 139 kills and 128 digs through her team's first 72 sets, contributing through six rotations and impacting matches from all around the court. Klein is an explosive athlete with leaping ability and power in her swing. Her long hitting motion and vertical leap allow her to assess the defense and put the ball down into weak spots. Klein effectively picks her spots when hitting, whether that's winning off of the block or working around it.     Klein ranks among the top all-around performers in Iowa's 2028 Class. I recognized that when watching her operate for Plex during the club season, and it was reaffirmed with her play during another in-person scout at the Westside Invite on Oct. 11, 2025 in Cedar Rapids. Klein shines on the outside with great lift on her jump, long arms and a whip-like swing she powers through the zone. Her leaping ability helps her read the block and defensive alignment before delivering the attack to an advantageous position against the defense. Klein surprised me a bit by the advancements she's made defensively. She's a presence at the net with the agility and quickness to hold it down in the back row. Already a productive player as a sophomore in the state's largest class, Klein has room to grow physically and from a skills standpoint to give college coaches even more to like.     Stanfel caught my attention when I watched her play in person several times during the club campaign and again at a Prep Dig event during the summer. Stanfel has built on that strong foundation as a sophomore on the Dowling Catholic varsity in 2025. She ranked among the team leaders in kills and blocks, making the most of her opportunities in a crowded lineup filled with talented attackers. Stanfel combines height and long arms with excellent athleticism and developing volleyball skills. She can leap into the sky, hang in the air and swing with power. Continuing to refine her approach and reading the defense better is leading to more consistency. A similar progression is happening with her block. Stanfel has room to develop, which is exciting when considering her future.     Crane jumped out at those of us attending the Prep Dig Showcase in Clive this summer with her loud game and impressive skills for such a young player. You would not know she's a 10th-grader when watching her operate on the court. Crane brings power to the net in the form of a two-way performer. Her effectiveness at lining up in the middle or at the opposite pin give her a versatility that's attractive to college coaches. Crane also could hit outside with her set of skills, which include a strong vertical leap, ability to hang in the air and swing that fires through the hitting zone, generating velocity. Crane still has a way to go before reaching her considerable potential, which easily makes her one of the top 2028s in Iowa.

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area