Scouting Reports: Mount Vernon Mustangs 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. Defending Class 3A state champion Mount Vernon was part of the field. The Mustangs advanced to the Gold Bracket before being eliminated by 5A Top 10 Iowa City Liberty.   Here's a closer look at some of the Mount Vernon student-athletes that have designs on getting the Mustangs back to the state tournament in 2025:    Meester played a key role on last year's state championship team after contributing the season before as a freshman. Now an upperclassman, Meester has been given more responsibility and has thrived with it. Her 296 kills through her first 85 sets led the Mustangs by a considerable margin. Her 232 digs and 32.0 blocks both ranked second on the squad. Scouting her at the Westside Invite on Oct. 11 in Cedar Rapids, Meester showed that she'd taken her game to another level. Not the tallest at the pin, she's fundamentally solid and limits mistake by not trying to do too much. Meester always has hit line with ferocity, but she's expanded her hitting zone this season and improved her attack from behind the 10-foot line. Much improved in the back row as a defender, Meester moves well. A high volleyball IQ helps her read the attack and get into proper position. She's sound in serve-receive as well.     Whitaker recently committed to South Dakota for track and field. If you've watched her compete in volleyball, which I have for several seasons, you're not surprised by her being pursued in that sport. Whitaker is an undersized middle that's played at a high level for one of the state's top programs because of her explosiveness and athleticism. She bounces off of the court quickly with excellent rise in her vertical leap. We saw it during the Mustangs' march to the 2024 Class 3A state championship. Whitaker showed it again when I scouted Mount Vernon at the Westside Invite in Cedar Rapids on Oct. 11. Her contributions helped get the team into the Gold Bracket against a tough field. Through 86 sets played, Whitaker produced 216 kills and a team-best 70.0 blocks.     One of the few holdovers from the Mount Vernon rotation that won the 2024 Class 3A state championship, Schweer has moved into a starring role for the Mustangs this fall. They need strong play from the back row with less firepower up front, and the junior has provided a steady, reliable presence there. Schweer loves the game and has worked hard on improving her skills, which was apparent when scouting her during the Westside Invite in Cedar Rapids on Oct. 11. Facing intense attacks from formidable opponents, she helped her squad compete by consistently turning pace in precise passes. Schweer is smart and learns how to gain advantages throughout matches. She's a leader, keeps teammates engaged and communicates well.     Hoffert's smooth transition into being the starting setter as a freshman is a key reason why Mount Vernon has remained formidable despite graduation losses suffered after the Mustangs won the 2024 Class 3A state championship. Keen instincts at the position help Hoffert overcome inexperience and prosper. Through her first 86 sets, she dished out 743 assists, showing a feel for putting the ball where her attackers can use it. Her 95 kills (.327) illustrated a knack for ending points with well-timed dumps into the donut or vacated areas on the outside. Hoffert also can finish it off with a effective swing. She'll be one to watch moving forward.     At smaller schools in Iowa, strong athletic programs contain a bevy of multi-sport athletes contributing on various levels depending on the time of the year. Gookin is softball star, one that's already committed to the University of Iowa as a pitcher. The competitor in her that led to a Power 4 scholarship on the diamond shines through when she lines up on the volleyball court. Gookin showed a lot of promise in the sport when I watched her compete at the Westside Invite in Cedar Rapids on Oct. 11. She's skilled, especially for someone whose focus is on another sport. Her swing is technically sound and her power is readily apparent. Through her first 83 sets, Gookin ranked third among Mustangs with 128 kills, behind only a pair of attackers that helped them win the Class 3A state championship last season.     Paulus is going through some growing pains as a sophomore on the varsity. From what I witnessed while scouting Mount Vernon at the Westside Invite in Cedar Rapids on Oct. 11, 2025, however, she's also packed with potential. With long arms and impressive athleticism, Paulus has the makings of being a impactful attacker at the pin. She jumps well and generates power in her swing already. There's growth potential in that area and also in defending at the net. Paulus owns a skill set and physical characteristics that play well at the outside pin, but there's a chance they could work in the middle or the right-side as well. Paulus' progress is very much worth monitoring moving forward.

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