Scouting Reports, Photos: Denver Cyclones 2026

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/pd-iowa-team-rankings-class-5a-final-super-16/">PD Iowa Team Rankings: Class 5A FINAL Super 16</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/pd-iowa-team-rankings-class-4a-final-super-16/">PD Iowa Team Rankings: Class 4A FINAL Super 16</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/predictions-players-to-watch-in-class-1a-regional-brackets/">Predictions, Players to Watch in Class 1A Regional Brackets</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/predictions-players-to-watch-in-class-2a-regional-brackets/">Predictions, Players to Watch in Class 2A Regional Brackets</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/predictions-players-to-watch-in-class-3a-regional-brackets/">Predictions, Players to Watch in Class 3A Regional Brackets</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/predictions-players-to-watch-in-class-4a-regional-brackets/">Predictions, Players to Watch in Class 4A Regional Brackets</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/predictions-players-to-watch-in-class-5a-regional-brackets/">Predictions, Players to Watch in Class 5A Regional Brackets</a></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 Denver, who I watched compete earlier this month at the Waverly-Shell Rock Invite. The two-time defending Class 2A state champion Cyclones defeated the host, which is Top 10 in 4A. They reloaded with a great group of young players and veterans thriving in new roles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at student-athletes standing out followed by photos of Denver:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["755663"],"_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-6ad8d87a6b8e5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There are few tasks on the volleyball court Murch is incapable of performing. In fact, given the opportunity, the Denver junior seems likely to complete whatever is requested of her. When watching her during the recent club campaign, Murch thrived in the team's one-setter alignment. She ran the show with precision, making good decisions and guiding a potent attack. That followed a sophomore season when she ranked second in kills for a Cyclone squad that won their second state title in a row. This year, with the team replacing a lot of production lost to graduation, Murch is one of two setters in a 6-2. I scouted her during the Waverly-Shell Rock tournament earlier this month and was so impressed with her all-around contributions and leadership for an inexperienced team. She was leading it in kills, shining at setter and holding it down in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["965637"],"_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-6ad8d87a6b96b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When scouting Six Pack during this summer's USAV National Tournament in Indianapolis, Herrmann stood out among an interesting group of prospects. I was looking forward to receiving another in-person look at her game when watching the Denver freshman at the Waverly-Shell Rock Invite earlier this month. Once again, she impressed with her performance. Herrmann is an athletic middle hitter. She is tall with long arms and moves fluidly throughout the action. There's a keen feel for the block with excellent timing and technique. The attack is powerful with an opportunity to add more velocity when strength is increased on a projectable frame. There's a lot of upside here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1003009"],"_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-6ad8d87a6b9c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Murch made an impression when watching her play up an age level during the USAV National Tournament this summer in Indianapolis. She commanded the back row, covering a large swath of the court with a combination of natural athleticism and advanced volleyball skills. It was the same situation when scouting her again at the Waverly-Shell Rock Invite earlier this month. The eighth-grader looked seasoned beyond her years operating with and against much more experienced players all around her while wearing the jersey. Murch is quick, flows with the action and plays with a platform that leads to precise passes. She's a good one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["739138"],"_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-6ad8d87a6ba16"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While Denver was going to need young players to step into prominent roles after graduation losses from last year's state title team, it also had to have veterans take on larger roles in order to sustain success. McEwan showed earlier this month at the Waverly-Shell Rock Invite that she was up to the task. The senior thrived through six rotations. She entered this week's postseason ranked second on the squad in kills and digs. McEwan succeeds because of excellent athleticism and explosion. She can get up on her vertical leap and offers a heavy swing that regularly terminates points. Fluidness, quick reflexes and a sound platform stand out in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1002745"],"_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-6ad8d87a6ba70"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Murch impressed when watching her run the show at setter for her club team at the USAV National Tournament this summer in Indianapolis. She was playing up an age group, but you'd never have guessed that with the maturity of her game. The eighth-grader was at it again when scouting her in a 6-2 alignment for two-time defending Class 2A state champion Denver earlier this month at the Waverly-Shell Rock Invite. Murch is technically sound with a soft touch getting the set to the attackers. She's makes good decisions and precisely puts the ball in great positions for teammates to maximize their swings. Murch is sound in serve-receive and defending in the back row thanks to quickness and tight technique.</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":1048464,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A5040.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1048464" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Denver's [player_tooltip player_id='1003009' first='Lucy' last='Murch']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1048463,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A4914.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1048463" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Denver's [player_tooltip player_id='1048458' first='Lydia' last='Gleason']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1048462,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A4900.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1048462" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Denver's [player_tooltip player_id='739138' first='Mackenzie' last='McEwan']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1048453,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A4805.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1048453" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Denver's [player_tooltip player_id='965637' first='Mya' last='Herrmann'] (13) and [player_tooltip player_id='1003612' first='Ayriella' last='Phelps']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1048455,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A4827.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1048455" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Denver's [player_tooltip player_id='965637' first='Mya' last='Herrmann']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1048456,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A4841.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1048456" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Denver's [player_tooltip player_id='1003009' first='Lucy' last='Murch']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1048457,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A4843.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1048457" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Denver's [player_tooltip player_id='1048458' first='Lydia' last='Gleason']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1048459,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A4864.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1048459" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Denver's [player_tooltip player_id='755663' first='Adeana' last='Murch']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1048460,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A4882.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1048460" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Denver Cyclones 2026. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1048451,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A4751.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1048451" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Denver's [player_tooltip player_id='965637' first='Mya' last='Herrmann']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1048450,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A4749.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1048450" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Denver's [player_tooltip player_id='965637' first='Mya' last='Herrmann'] (13) and [player_tooltip player_id='1002745' first='Brehanna' last='Murch']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1048449,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A4739.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1048449" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Denver's [player_tooltip player_id='1003009' first='Lucy' last='Murch']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1048447,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A4660.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1048447" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Denver Cyclones 2026. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1048446,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A4623.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1048446" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Denver's [player_tooltip player_id='755663' first='Adeana' last='Murch']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1048440,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A4533.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1048440" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Denver's [player_tooltip player_id='773089' first='Aubrey' last='Roethler']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1048409,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A5590.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1048409" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Denver's [player_tooltip player_id='755663' first='Adeana' last='Murch']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1048411,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A5667.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1048411" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Denver's [player_tooltip player_id='1002745' first='Brehanna' last='Murch']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1048433,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A4530.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1048433" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Denver's [player_tooltip player_id='1002745' first='Brehanna' last='Murch']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --></figure> <!-- /wp:gallery -->