Scouting Reports, Photos: Western Dubuque 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><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/photo-gallery-i-mvc-championship-2026/">Photo Gallery I: MVC Championship 2026</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/photo-gallery-ii-mvc-championship-2026/">Photo Gallery II: MVC Championship 2026</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2026/10/photo-gallery-iii-mvc-championship-2026/">Photo Gallery III: MVC Championship 2026</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 Western Dubuque, who I watched compete in Tuesday's championship bracket of the MVC Tournament. The 4A Bobcats finished third in the 15-team conference, defeating a ranked 5A squad in Iowa City High after falling 2-1 to Iowa City West and Liberty, who were ranked even higher in the state's largest classification. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at student-athletes standing out followed by photos of Western Dubuque:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["493984"],"_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-6ad3ee1984261"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've long admired Ramler's game since watching her for the first time along the club circuit several years ago. The Western Dubuque senior has continued sharpening her skills and becoming more consistent. The Illinois State commitment is playing some of her best volleyball, as I witnessed when watching her compete with the Bobcats at Tuesday's MVC Championship Bracket, where they finished third behind only 5A ranked Iowa City West and Liberty. Through the first 92 sets, Ramler had 364 kills (.305), 40.0 blocks and 209 digs. She impacts matches in a lot of ways and is capable of taking them over. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["555692"],"_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-6ad3ee19842d3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Demmer has impressed me throughout her career competing on the club circuit and while lining up for Western Dubuque. I most recently saw her in action during Tuesday's MVC Championship Bracket, where she helped the Bobcats take third in the conference despite them representing one of the league's smaller schools. Demmer held it down in the back row, covering a large swath of the court and igniting Western Dubuque's transition. She's a strong communicator and serves an important role as a senior leader. Through 93 sets, Demmer was leading the Bobcats with 496 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["942755"],"_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-6ad3ee1984326"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Among the state's top freshmen, Walker has been a key contributor for a Western Dubuque outfit that's near the top of the Class 4A rankings and a legitimate threat to win it all. I first saw Walker competing to during the USAV Iowa Regional in the spring. She helped the Bobcat volleyball club qualify for the national tournament as a powerful two-way middle hitter. When watching her in action at Tuesday's MVC Championship Bracket, she was ending points from there as well as getting swings from the outside and right-side. In her first 92 high school sets, she had 183 (.317) kills, 54.0 blocks and 44 digs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["987305"],"_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-6ad3ee198436c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Berning has developed her game nicely competing in club volleyball. She experienced a breakout season at Western Dubuque last season and has lifted her level of play even more this year. Berning is a dual-threat on the right-side of the net, terminating points with a powerful swing and turning back opposing attacks by throwing up an effective block. She ranked second among Bobcats with 186 kills (.280) with 26.0 blocks through 91 sets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["744976"],"_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-6ad3ee19843b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When you watch Kruse play, you know what you're going to get - consistently good play, smart decisions and a limited amount of mistakes. The Western Dubuque senior puts the ball on the money when she's setting. She sees the court well, which helps in finding attackers with advantages against the opposing defense. A tall setter with long arms, Kruse can end points with a heavy swing or by executing a well-time setter dump. During the team's first 93 sets, she'd handed out 403 assists, 53 kills, 45.0 blocks and 64 digs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["748340"],"_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-6ad3ee19843f6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Quagliano is one of the more versatile players in Iowa's 2028 Class. I watched her lining up at libero during the most recent club campaign. She was running the show at setter when scouting her at Tuesday's MVC Championship bracket. Through her first 93 sets, she handed out 426 assists. Illustrating the broad base of skills that allow her to compete at two of the game's most important positions, Quagliano had come up with 152 digs. She's a good athlete that moves well around the court. It aids her in digging up the opposition and in holding up well in serve-receive. Quagliano flows smoothly with the match action and excels at jump setting.</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":1051725,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A1721.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051725" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Dubuque's [player_tooltip player_id='493984' first='Kyla' last='Ramler']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051724,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A1710.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051724" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Dubuque's [player_tooltip player_id='934822' first='Ella' last='Burds']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051723,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A1704.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051723" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Dubuque's [player_tooltip player_id='987305' first='Ellie' last='Berning']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051722,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A1679.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051722" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Dubuque's [player_tooltip player_id='748340' first='Lola' last='Quagliano']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051721,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A1673.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051721" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Dubuque's [player_tooltip player_id='748340' first='Lola' last='Quagliano']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051720,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A1650.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051720" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Dubuque's Gabbie Demmer. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051719,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A1637.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051719" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Dubuque's [player_tooltip player_id='934822' first='Ella' last='Burds']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051718,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A1614.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051718" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Dubuque's Gabbie Demmer. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051717,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A1603.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051717" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Dubuque's [player_tooltip player_id='748340' first='Lola' last='Quagliano']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051689,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A1580.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051689" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Dubuque's [player_tooltip player_id='951672' first='Stella' last='Demmer']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051688,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A1560.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051688" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Dubuque's [player_tooltip player_id='744976' first='Sylvia' last='Kruse']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051687,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A1543.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051687" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Dubuque's [player_tooltip player_id='942755' first='Lauren' last='Walker']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051686,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A1531.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051686" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Dubuque's [player_tooltip player_id='951672' first='Stella' last='Demmer']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051685,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A1525.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051685" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Dubuque's [player_tooltip player_id='942755' first='Lauren' last='Walker']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051683,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A1521.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051683" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Dubuque's [player_tooltip player_id='744976' first='Sylvia' last='Kruse']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051663,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A1479.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051663" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Dubuque's [player_tooltip player_id='493984' first='Kyla' last='Ramler'] (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051662,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A1476.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051662" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Dubuque's [player_tooltip player_id='942755' first='Lauren' last='Walker']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051661,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A1425.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051661" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Dubuque's [player_tooltip player_id='934822' first='Ella' last='Burds'] (9) and [player_tooltip player_id='493984' first='Kyla' last='Ramler']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051660,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A1347.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051660" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Dubuque's Gabbie Demmer. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051658,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A1304.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051658" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Dubuque's [player_tooltip player_id='942755' first='Lauren' last='Walker']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1051657,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/10/137A1292.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1051657" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Western Dubuque's Gabbie Demmer. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --></figure> <!-- /wp:gallery -->