Scouting Reports, Photos: West Liberty Comets 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 West Liberty, who I watched play at the Grinnell Invite at the end of August. The Comets finished second in the Silver Pool with wins against the host and Xavier. Their only losses came against Clear Creek Amana and Iowa City High, two ranked teams from larger classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Liberty looks like its usual scrappy self. The Comets play connected and fight for every point. They rely on contributions from a deep rotation. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at student-athletes standing out followed by photos of the Comets:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["730492"],"_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-6a9b315e9df3a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I scouted Nixt competing for West Liberty last season, again at the Windy City National Qualifier this club season and then most recently early in the prep campaign at the Grinnell Invite. One thing I'll say with confidence, she's super consistent. Nixt limits mistakes. It feels like she's in control patrolling the back row with her play and communication. Nixt is someone that learns from opponent tendencies and it results in her becoming more effective as the match wears on. She's a good athlete that slides well laterally and covers ground moving in a straight line. Nixt is a kid that colleges looking for back-row help should definitely check out. She had 69 digs through the Comets' first 13 sets in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1038812"],"_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-6a9b3251add98"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wiele impressed me when I scouted her at the Grinnell Invite early in the 2026 season. The West Liberty junior brought explosion off of the court and a heavy swing to the competition. It's a big vertical leap. Wiele does well flowing with the action and getting in position to make plays. She reads the opposing block well, finding ways to power the attack through it or locating areas to work around it. Wiele also does a nice job throwing up her block. She sees where the ball is headed and consistently gets her arms up in the hitting lanes. Wiele is a good athlete that could develop at the pins, too. She's one to watch moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["893632"],"_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-6a9b354c3b8d3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Yoder has been a steady hand at the setter spot for multiple seasons at West Liberty. She stood out for her consistency when watching her compete at the Cedar Rapids Jefferson tournament at the end of the 2025 regular season. Yoder was at it again early in the 2026 campaign at the Grinnell Invite. The senior put her attackers in great positions to make plays with her precise sets. Yoder has a keen feel for the game and makes sound decisions. She sees the court well and exposes holes in the opposition's defense. Yoder defends well at the net and in the back row. She holds up well in serve-receive and is a strong leader. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1038823"],"_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-6a9b3764bcf1d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I didn't get a chance to see Iowa Vibe 14-1 Nike compete on the club circuit this past season but am beginning to understand how that squad qualified for the USAV Nationals this summer. One of the players responsibly for the success was a key contributor to West Liberty's strong start to the 2026 prep campaign. The freshman was flashing skills through six rotations that were beyond her years. She played with confidence and looked like she belonged. There's athleticism and leaping ability. Shield flows well with the action and makes smart plays. She's definitely one whose progress is worth monitoring moving forward. </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":1026763,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A7855.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1026763" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">West Liberty's [player_tooltip player_id='893632' first='Emma' last='Yoder']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1028088,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8054.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1028088" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">West Liberty's [player_tooltip player_id='893636' first='Madi' last='Buysse']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036718,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8206.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036718" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">West Liberty's [player_tooltip player_id='730492' first='Tenley' last='Nixt']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036742,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8210.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036742" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">West Liberty's [player_tooltip player_id='893632' first='Emma' last='Yoder'] . (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036760,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8220.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036760" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">West Liberty's [player_tooltip player_id='893636' first='Madi' last='Buysse']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036761,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8222.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036761" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">West Liberty's [player_tooltip player_id='893636' first='Madi' last='Buysse']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036762,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8281.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036762" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">West Liberty's Payton Curtin. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036782,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8539.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036782" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">West Liberty's [player_tooltip player_id='730492' first='Tenley' last='Nixt']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036785,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8587.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036785" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">West Liberty's [player_tooltip player_id='1038812' first='Emmee' last='Wiele']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036787,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8632.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036787" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">West Liberty's [player_tooltip player_id='893636' first='Madi' last='Buysse']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036788,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8658.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036788" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">West Liberty's [player_tooltip player_id='730492' first='Tenley' last='Nixt']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036790,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8669.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036790" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">West Liberty's [player_tooltip player_id='1038823' first='Penelope' last='Shield']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --></figure> <!-- /wp:gallery -->