Scouting Reports, Photos: Benton Bobcats 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 Benton, who I watched compete at its Benton Bobcat Invitational last month. The home team picked up a big win against WaMaC foe Marion during the event. It's faced a tough schedule this season, which should benefit the Bobcats when the playoffs roll around. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at student-athletes standing out followed by photos of Benton:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["786370"],"_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-6ac40f9215e34"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The second leading scorer on the Benton basketball last winter and a state track participant in the spring, Schroeder stands out for her overall athleticism on the volleyball court. The junior has enjoyed a wondering season, leading the Bobcats with 254 kills (.284) through 67 sets. She's also among the leaders in digs (163) and added 11.0 blocks. I watched Schroeder compete at the Benton Bobcat Invitational during September. She brings a loud game to the pin, rising up into a big vertical leap and coming down with a heavy swing. Schroeder does well mixing up the attack and reading the defense. The athleticism and agility also shows up in the back row, where she holds up well against the attack and in serve-receive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["849088"],"_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-6ac410b50f455"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've written often about Degroot while watching her compete along the club circuit in recent years. She's developed her game nicely facing some of the nation's top competition. Her team's performance was among the most successful in the age group at the USAV Nationals this summer in Indianapolis. It was good getting a chance to see Degroot play for Benton during her school's invitational tournament last month. Through the first 67 sets of the season, she'd produced 166 kills (.413). Her attack keeps improving, and the Bobcats would benefit from giving her more opportunities. Degroot is long-armed, tall and athletic, which helps her throw up an intimidating block and redirect plenty of opponents swinging her way. She's one of the state's top middles in the 2029 Class, and a college recruit on the rise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1003234"],"_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-6ac41239ab838"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ridgway caught my attention this summer when I watched her compete at the USAV Nationals in Indianapolis. <a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/07/right-sides-that-rocked-at-14u-usav-nationals/" data-type="link" data-id="https://prepdig.com/2026/07/right-sides-that-rocked-at-14u-usav-nationals/">I wrote about what I saw</a> from the Class of 2030 prospect after the in-person scouting opportunity. She was shining as a right-side, bringing a heavy swing and blocking ability to the big stage. Ridgway had taken a step forward when watching her live again at the Benton Bobcat Invitational in September. The freshman did not look like one, performing beyond her years with promise and poise. Through the first 67 sets of her ninth-grade campaign, Ridgway had piled up 88 kills (.315) and team-high 46.0 blocks working in the middle of the net. The versatility to play there and at the opposite pin in club should have her on the radar of college coaches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["775057"],"_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-6ac413549faab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Embretson is a player that I've scouted quite a bit along the club circuit. She'd consistently stood out for her team with a big swing from the pin and an ability to contribute good volleyball through six rotations. Embretson was impacting the action again when I watched her line up at the Benton Bobcats Invitational last month. She showed she can put the ball down by mixing up the attack to expose soft zones in the defense. Embretson is a bouncy athlete that can get up on the jump and hang in the air. That also helps her on the block. Through the first 67 sets of the 2026 season, she ranked third on the Bobcats in kills and was second in digs. Embretson is agile and moves well in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1043653"],"_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-6ac41474562ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Seeck stands out as an all-around athlete that also gets the job done on the softball diamond. I watched her compete on the volleyball court at the Benton Bobcat Invitational last month. There could be a college future there, too, if her performance was any indication. Seeck shined in running the team's offense, putting the ball on the money for a talented collection of attackers and making keen decisions on where to go with the ball. She's tall with long arms, allowing her to throw up effective blocks or terminate points with a quick swing. Seeck also defends well in the back row and stands in strongly during serve-receive.</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":1043719,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A8077.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1043719" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Benton's [player_tooltip player_id='849088' first='Chloe' last='Degroot']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1043718,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A8061.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1043718" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Benton's [player_tooltip player_id='840116' first='Avery' last='Franzenburg']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1043717,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A8056.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1043717" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Benton's [player_tooltip player_id='775057' first='Anna' last='Embretson']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1043716,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A8048.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1043716" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Benton's Lily Schulte. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1043715,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A8031.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1043715" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Benton's [player_tooltip player_id='775057' first='Anna' last='Embretson']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1043714,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A8026.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1043714" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Benton's [player_tooltip player_id='819593' first='Talulah' last='Schroeder']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1043713,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A8017.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1043713" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Benton's Lily Schulte. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1043712,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A8005.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1043712" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Benton's [player_tooltip player_id='819593' first='Talulah' last='Schroeder']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1043710,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A7992.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1043710" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Benton's [player_tooltip player_id='1043653' first='Brynnlee' last='Seeck']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1043708,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A7984.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1043708" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Benton's [player_tooltip player_id='849088' first='Chloe' last='Degroot']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1043658,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A7924.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1043658" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Benton's [player_tooltip player_id='849088' first='Chloe' last='Degroot']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1043657,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A7911.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1043657" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Benton's [player_tooltip player_id='849088' first='Chloe' last='Degroot']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1043655,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A7875.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1043655" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Benton's Lily Schulte. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1043651,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/09/137A7860.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1043651" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Benton's [player_tooltip player_id='1043653' first='Brynnlee' last='Seeck']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --></figure> <!-- /wp:gallery -->