Scouting Reports, Photos: Burlington Grayhounds 2026

<!-- 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>The high school volleyball years create wonderful life memories for everyone involved. Connections are strong.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That thought was the impetus behind developing these scouting-report/photo pieces a few seasons ago to act as yearbook pages. I've written as many of them as I could based on watching teams play in person. Hopefully, they capture that squad in words and pictures, and can be accessed years down the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we look at Burlington, who I watched play at the Iowa City High tournament in early September. The Grayhounds competed closely with a pool strong programs, knocking off fellow Class 4A member Lewis Central, 2-1, while pushing Bettendorf and Regina to three sets in the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burlington is a connected team that can get on a roll when the pieces are clicking. It's a squad I would not want to see in my bracket come postseason time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at student-athletes standing out followed by photos of Burlington:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["844585"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa85325f339f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Young stood out to me right away when watching her and Burlington compete at the Iowa City High tournament early on in the 2026 season. The senior opposite hitter generates a ton of power in her lefty swing, pushing through blocks, getting the line or hitting cross court in terminating points. She is a high riser off of the floor with a big vertical leap and hang time giving her opportunity to read the defense. They also aid in throwing up an effective block. Young is a good athlete that moves well laterally. She can end points from the outside pin, too. Through 54 sets this year, she had 95 kills, a team-high 41.0 blocks and 56 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["836047"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa853cc2265c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ertz was working effectively through six rotations when I watched Burlington competing at the Iowa City High tournament early in the 2026 campaign. The senior was putting the ball down with a nice vertical and well-placed hits from the pin. She had a solid platform in the back row and consistently delivered usable passes, while also holding up well in serve-receive. Ertz was leading the Grayhounds with 122 kills through the team's first 54 sets. Her 189 digs also were the most on the squad. Ertz is an interesting prospect with upside to raise her already sound game to a higher level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1039244"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa897da86a0f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At 5-2, Newell was destined for the back row as a volleyball player. When scouting her during the Iowa City High tournament in early September, the junior showed she belonged out there on the court with a lot of taller student-athletes from a collection of good prep programs. Newell held up well in defending a lot of court versus heavy attacks. She moved well laterally and flashed sharp reflexes. Flowing well with the action and reading the opposition's intentions keenly, Newell consistently is positioned to make plays. She's a smart player with great energy that communicates clearly with teammates. Newell had come up with a team-high 171 digs through the first 54 sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1041759"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6aa897da86a66"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Schrader was a pop-up prospect for me when I scouted her for the first time in-person at the early-season Iowa City High tournament. She's every bit of the 6-2 at which she's listed on the roster and agile for a younger player. The sophomore was hitting at the pin after sharing the setting duties last year. The change in duties was proven seamless through 54 sets. She ranked second among Grayhounds with 100 kills and led them with a .317 hitting percentage. Schrader had 21.0 blocks and 41 kills, flashing athleticism. Her long arms help her play even taller. There's plenty of room for her to grow her game while working towards reaching a sizable ceiling. Schrader is a student-athlete whose development is worth monitoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:gallery {"linkTo":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped"><!-- wp:image {"id":1039104,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A3037.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1039104" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Burlington's Sela Rascon. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1039240,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A3042.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1039240" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Burlington's [player_tooltip player_id='844585' first='Sophia' last='Young']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1039241,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A3076.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1039241" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Burlington's [player_tooltip player_id='813508' first='Gemma' last='Plummer']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1039242,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A3119.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1039242" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Burlington's [player_tooltip player_id='1039244' first='Josie' last='Newell']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1039247,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A3122.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1039247" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Burlington's [player_tooltip player_id='836047' first='Meilah' last='Ertz']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1039248,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A3127.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1039248" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Burlington's [player_tooltip player_id='1039251' first='Ella' last='Schneden']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1039317,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A3215.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1039317" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Burlington's [player_tooltip player_id='1039255' first='Landry' last='Jones']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1039316,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A3208.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1039316" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Burlington's [player_tooltip player_id='836047' first='Meilah' last='Ertz']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1039313,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A3180.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1039313" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Burlington's [player_tooltip player_id='836047' first='Meilah' last='Ertz']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1039312,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A3162.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1039312" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Burlington's [player_tooltip player_id='844585' first='Sophia' last='Young']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1039311,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A3101.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1039311" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Burlington's [player_tooltip player_id='813508' first='Gemma' last='Plummer']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1039254,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A3186.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1039254" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Burlington's [player_tooltip player_id='1039255' first='Landry' last='Jones']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --></figure> <!-- /wp:gallery -->