Scouting Reports, Photos: Solon Spartans 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><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/09/pd-iowa-team-rankings-class-5a-week-1-super-16/">PD Iowa Team Rankings: Class 5A Week 1 Super 16</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/09/pd-iowa-team-rankings-class-4a-week-1-super-16/?itm_source=parsely-api">PD Iowa Team Rankings: Class 4A Week 1 Super 16</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 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 Solon, who I watched play at the Grinnell Invite on Saturday. The Spartans captured the Gold Pool, winning all five of its matches on the day. The run included victories against Clear Creek Amana, Ballard and Iowa City High. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Solon receives production throughout a deep roster. There are a number of new contributors following graduation losses after last season and almost everybody is in a new role. It's a team with a high ceiling and a strong chance to reach state for the first time since 2014.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at student-athletes that stood out followed by photos:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["754537"],"_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-6a987d7f026d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Guinn has steadily developed into one of the top players in Iowa's 2029 Class. She's proven it by competing with the No. 1 club team in her age group four years running and when impacting matches as a Solon freshman in 2025. Guinn began her 10th-grade season with a bang during the Grinnell Invite, providing the power at the pin for a Spartan squad that won the event. Guinn is a physical performer with a heavy swing, especially for her age. She can blast through blocks and is improving at playing off of them. Explosion off of the court and a strong vertical helps her get on top of the ball. Guinn has improved her block a lot and is a sound server when given the opportunity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["768502"],"_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-6a98804f99155"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've seen Whitford compete for [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] quite a bit through the years. She's one of those kids that can do whatever a team needs her to do. When I watched her lining up for Solon during the Grinnell Invite early in the 2026 season, she was hitting outside. Her experience playing six rotations in club ball helped in handling serve-receive without issue when tested in the event. Whitford could end up helping the Spartans in the back row at some point during the campaign. Her experience and energy also should be a major bonus for a Spartan group with a lot of contributors still learning the ropes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1017507"],"_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-6a9881b2c2ba9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Multiple club coaches sang the praises of Bishop this past season. Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to see her play in person. That changed when Solon won the championship at the Grinnell Invite early in the 2026 high school campaign. The 6-foot-3 freshman not only looked like she belonged on the court, she confidently impacted matches as a two-way performer at the opposite pin. Bishop plays even bigger than her listed height thanks to long arms. They aid her in throwing up an intimidating block and in generating power in her swing. A good athlete with agility and explosion, Bishop terminates points with authority. She can rip it down the line or knock it across the court. The future is bright for Bishop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["993804"],"_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-6a9883bfc136e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I watched Walter compete at the beginning and again at the end of the most recent club season. She'd taken a noticeable step forward with her play and looked ready to factor into the Solon equation in 2026. That was the case when watching her help the Spartans win the championship at the early-season Grinnell Invite. The long-arm senior influences matches as a two-way performer. Her attack continues improving as she becomes stronger and more precise. Walter flows well into rising up for a swing and in getting positioned for an imposing block. She's a good athlete with agility to be effective in the middle of the net or at the opposite pin.</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":1036880,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8903.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036880" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Solon's [player_tooltip player_id='768502' first='Charleigh' last='Whitford']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036882,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8907.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036882" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Solon's [player_tooltip player_id='893053' first='Makinley' last='Galvan']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036884,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A8945.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036884" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Solon's [player_tooltip player_id='893053' first='Makinley' last='Galvan']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036892,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A9072.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036892" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Solon's [player_tooltip player_id='1017507' first='Zephie' last='Bishop']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036893,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A9093.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036893" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Solon's [player_tooltip player_id='1017507' first='Zephie' last='Bishop'] (20) and Harper Nicholson. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036908,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A9191.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036908" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Solon's [player_tooltip player_id='720363' first='Scarlett' last='Ferin']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036931,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A9586.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036931" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Solon's [player_tooltip player_id='754537' first='Amelia' last='Guinn']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1036933,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/08/137A9643.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1036933" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Solon's Harper Nicholson. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --></figure> <!-- /wp:gallery -->