Scouting Reports, Photos: Clear Creek Amana 2026

<!-- 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 creating 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 Clear Creek Amana, who I watched play at the Grinnell Invite on Saturday after seeing it at the Prep Dig Sizzle and a preseason scrimmage in Tiffin. The Clippers finished second to Solon in the Gold Pool at Grinnell, going 4-1 on the day, including a 2-1 win against a solid Ballard team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CCA is replacing two of the program's all-time greats in Emily Henderson and Averie Lower this season. It's figuring out what that looks like with new players in important roles and returnees stepping into bigger roles. The Clippers are a state tournament team, once again, if the parts gel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at student-athletes standing out followed by photos of the Clippers:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["493660"],"_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-6a9a1e30c0437"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's been fun watching Simpson grow in the game through the years. She's usually been among the better players on the court and now is finding more ways to contribute thanks to sharpening her volleyball skills. A middle hitter the last several years, Simpson is playing six rotations as a senior, ripping the ball from the pins and improving her attack from the 10-foot line. She always been a strong blocker thanks to her long arms, jumping ability, agility and timing. Her defense in the back row is sound and getting better. Her serve-receive really has improved. Simpson is off to Missouri Western State next season, but before she reaches the next level, she has some unfinished business at this one</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["516002"],"_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-6a9a1fed35580"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Schlarbaum was a breakout performer in 2025, starting with the club season at United and then as a sophomore at Clear Creek Amana last fall. She played a big role in helping the Clippers reach the state tournament again as a six-rotation mainstay. Schlarbaum has continued her ascent in the game, adding more power at the pin and sharpening her skills as an all-around player. She's a hammer on the outside and can put the ball down from the 10-foot line, an area she's really improved. Schlarbaum is very reliable in the back row against the attack and in serve-receive. Her jump serve can be deadly. A South Dakota commitment, Schlarbaum is one of the state's top players and has a ways to go before reaching her tremendous upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["693879"],"_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-6a9a21627e1f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I wrote about Vaske after watching her hammer away at the opposite pin for an Adrenaline team that reached the USAV Nationals this past summer. She moved well and displayed a heavy swing. It was interesting watching her step into a larger role at Clear Creek Amana this early season. Vaske was working as a middle hitter, looking just as comfortable delivering as a two-way performer there as she did on the right side during club. That versatility should open doors for her in recruiting. She even shows ability swinging from the outside and could conceivable chip in at all three front row spots. Vaske also brings good energy to the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["878889"],"_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-6a9a23a84a1a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ellard <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/07/mighty-middle-hitters-from-usav-14u-nationals/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/07/mighty-middle-hitters-from-usav-14u-nationals/">caught my attention</a> when I scouted her during the USAV Nationals this past summer in Indianapolis. She was standing out as a middle hitter for United's top team in her age group. Fast forward to the prep season, and Ellard is in the Clear Creek Amana rotation as a freshman. Not only that, she was playing on the outside. Ellard is tall with long arms and athleticism. She's agile for her age and explosive off of the court. There's power in the swing and a knack for throwing up a strong block, especially at this stage of her development. Targeted in serve-receive, she's held up well with potential for growth into a six-rotation contributor. The arrow is pointing up for Ellard.</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":1015557,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A4266.jpg?w=1024" alt="Clear Creek Amana" class="wp-image-1015557" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Clear Creek Amana </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1015559,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A4288.jpg?w=1024" alt="Clear Creek Amana" class="wp-image-1015559" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Clear Creek Amana </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1015594,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A4296.jpg?w=1024" alt="Clear Creek Amana" class="wp-image-1015594" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Clear Creek Amana</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1015877,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A4367.jpg?w=1024" alt="Clear Creek Amana" class="wp-image-1015877" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Clear Creek Amana</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1015923,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A4400.jpg?w=1024" alt="Clear Creek Amana" class="wp-image-1015923" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Clear Creek Amana</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1015944,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A5862.jpg?w=1024" alt="Liberty, Clear Creek Amana" class="wp-image-1015944" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Liberty, Clear Creek Amana</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1025989,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A7801.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1025989" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Clear Creek Amana's Payton Curtin. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1026394,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A7808.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1026394" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Clear Creek Amana's [player_tooltip player_id='878889' first='Payson' last='Ellard'] (15) and [player_tooltip player_id='493660' first='Bailey' last='Simpson']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1026615,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A7815.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1026615" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Clear Creek Amana's [player_tooltip player_id='902716' first='Kendall' last='Ronnfeldt']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1027016,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A7881.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1027016" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Clear Creek Amana's [player_tooltip player_id='902716' first='Kendall' last='Ronnfeldt']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1027246,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A7927.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1027246" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Clear Creek Amana's [player_tooltip player_id='792345' first='Bella' last='Behrens']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1027408,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A7930.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1027408" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Clear Creek Amana's Payton Curtin. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1027555,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A7935.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1027555" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Clear Creek Amana's [player_tooltip player_id='493660' first='Bailey' last='Simpson']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1027694,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A7940.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1027694" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Clear Creek Amana's Payton Curtin. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1027833,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A7954.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1027833" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Clear Creek Amana's [player_tooltip player_id='516002' first='Julia' last='Schlarbaum']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1027934,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8034.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1027934" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Clear Creek Amana 2026. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1028270,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8168.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1028270" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Clear Creek Amana's Payton Curtin. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036928,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A9487.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036928" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Clear Creek Amana's [player_tooltip player_id='493660' first='Bailey' last='Simpson']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --></figure> <!-- /wp:gallery -->