Scouting Reports, Photos: Grinnell Tigers 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 Grinnell, who I watched play at its Grinnell Invite at the end of August. The Tigers reached the Silver Pool, competing well with everybody it faced at the event. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grinnell boasts multiple high-end players capable of impacting matches and, as a result, is a dangerous team. The Tigers are tough when they're clicking and receiving key contributions beyond their top players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at student-athletes standing out followed by photos of Grinnell:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["555788"],"_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-6aa1ff7a18fb4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's been neat watching Nolton continue developing her game since seeing her at the Benton Tournament when she was a sophomore. I think I've scouted her in person for the last two club and prep seasons. Most recently, I saw her playing a key role in helping her club team reach the USAV National Tournament this summer and then again early in the prep campaign at the Grinnell Invite. Nolton is a skilled volleyballer with a lot of power in her swing after big-time explosion off of the court. She gets up on her vertical and snaps down on the ball. The power is there to crash through blocks and the awareness to hit off of them also is present. Nolton rises up with an effective block and defends well in the back row. She's improved markedly in serve-receive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["919926"],"_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-6aa1ff7a19016"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Laug caught my attention during an in-person scout at Iowa City West's Live Like Line Tournament early last season. It was good to see her again at the Grinnell Tournament early in the 2026 campaign. The sophomore was working as the starting setter in a 6-2. The skills are there for success at her main position. She puts the ball in great spots for the attackers, finds holes in the defense and throws up an effective block. Laug impressed me with the growth in her attack. The lefty swing generates power, and there's a good feel for working off of the opposing block. Laug is athletic and moves well, which helps her defend in the back row. She's a rising prospect and one whose development is one to watch, for sure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["760844"],"_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-6aa1ff7a19066"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sherman is another Grinnell player that's been fun to watch develop her game. Each time I scout her in person, the technique and skills are a little sharper. That was the case when seeing her compete at her school's invitational tournament early in the 2026 season. Sherman brings a heavy swing to the pin. She owns an operation that lends itself to it, exploding off of the court and generating torque with a strong follow-through to the ball. Sherman creates plenty of juice to power through blocks and is improving at hitting off of them. She flashed her overall abilities by working consistently well through six rotations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/iowa/rankings/2027-watch-list/"></a><a href="https://prepdig.com/player/tenley-nixt-2/"></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["730438"],"_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-6aa1ff7a190ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After watching Smith at the Grinnell Invitational early in the 2027 season, I think we might have her rated too low here at Prep Dig Iowa. Against heavy attacks, the senior stood strong and gave her team chances to prosper in system. With the Tigers' setting and attackers, it gave them chance to compete with everybody in the event. Smith is a smart student-athlete that learns from the opponent's tendencies and improves as the match advances as a result. She moves well laterally and covers a lot of court. Smith is a team leader that does well in communicating and keeping Grinnell rowing the same direction.</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":1036763,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8292.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036763" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grinnell's [player_tooltip player_id='919926' first='Macy' last='Laug']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036764,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8294.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036764" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grinnell's Ava Seney. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036765,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8314.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036765" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grinnell's [player_tooltip player_id='555788' first='Kendra' last='Nolton']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036766,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8352.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036766" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grinnell's [player_tooltip player_id='730438' first='Kaitlyn' last='Smith']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036767,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8366.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036767" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grinnell's [player_tooltip player_id='555788' first='Kendra' last='Nolton']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036768,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8391.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036768" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grinnell's Brooke Maschmeier. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036769,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8408.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036769" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grinnell's [player_tooltip player_id='555788' first='Kendra' last='Nolton']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036770,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8437.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036770" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grinnell Tigers 2026. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036772,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8462.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036772" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grinnell's [player_tooltip player_id='919926' first='Macy' last='Laug']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036774,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8466.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036774" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grinnell's [player_tooltip player_id='760844' first='Maryn' last='Sherman']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036775,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8486.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036775" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grinnell's [player_tooltip player_id='760844' first='Maryn' last='Sherman']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036778,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8503.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036778" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Grinnell's [player_tooltip player_id='919926' first='Macy' last='Laug']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --></figure> <!-- /wp:gallery -->