Scouting Reports: Liberty Lightning 2025

<!-- 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><a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/09/iowa-prep-dig-week-3-class-team-rankings/">Iowa Prep Dig Week 3 Team Rankings</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>IOWA CITY, Iowa –&nbsp;</strong>Iowa City Liberty made the short trek to Iowa City West last Saturday for the Live Like Line Tournament. The Lightning picked up wins against North Scott, Grinnell and Regina Catholic during the event. It continued a solid season for a team with a legitimate shot to reach the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at six Liberty student-athletes playing well this season:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["316419"],"_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-68cd98d58c5c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It sometimes looks like Miller is getting bored with how often teams avoid hitting the ball at her. To her credit, she stays focused and makes the plays when they come her way. The Dayton commitment has a case to be recognized as the state's top libero. It's a toolbox that includes sound fundamentals, quickness, anticipation and desire. Miller always plays hard and to win. She's a leader, keeping her team connected through communication. It's sometimes undervalued, but opponents looking at ways to avoid Miller compromises their chances at finishing points with having less court with which to work. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["316380"],"_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-68cd9a2a75b38"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As she's done for at least the last year, Miller continues working hard and improving all aspects of her game. A setter by trade, Miller accomplishes everything needed at the position. She puts the ball on point for her attackers and can end rallies on her own when given clean swings. Miller also finds holes in the defense and exploits them. Her ability to defend at the net and in the back row have become more consistent. Miller is competitive and will do whatever it takes from an effort standpoint to help her team succeed. She'd be an asset to a lot of college programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["273001"],"_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-68cd9cb16aca4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wilson is one of the most valuable players in the state, a contributor in ways the box score reveals and in others that it doesn't. Her energy and engagement on the court are among the impactful intangibles. On top of those traits, Wilson is putting in time to sharpen her volleyball skills. It's showing through 11 matches. She ranks among the Lightning's leaders in kills and digs. Having her on the court through six rotations is an asset most teams in the state would welcome. Wilson has improved her explosion and power in the swing, becoming more consistent and raising her efficiency. She's athletic and quick in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["493985"],"_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-68cd9e18b830f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Van Heukelom has made incredible strides with her game in the last few years. It's formed her into a consistent two-way force in the middle of the net. That was on display early in the 2025 campaign. She led the team in blocks and ranked among its leaders in kills. Van Heukelom was hitting an impressive .350, highlighting her efficiency. She's improved her side attack a ton during the last year. A read on the opposing attack and learning from the opponent's tendencies with that has made her a more successful blocker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["552856"],"_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-68cda00f64479"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Steburg has been a pop-up prospect that first caught my attention when scouting the Prep Dig Sizzle back in early August. After not recording any statistics as a junior in 2024, Steburg has emerged to lead the Lightning in kills through the team's first 11 matches. She was hitting .213. Her 18 digs show she can contribute in other areas as well. Steburg stands out for the power in her swing. Versatility leads to her being able to end points from either pin. For a player seeing her first varsity time as a senior, Steburg looks like a prospect deserving of college opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["758849"],"_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-68cda168f3e84"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coming off a club campaign that saw her game grow, Meidlinger has taken another step forward this fall during school ball. More of a role player as a sophomore in 2024, she's become a key cog in Liberty's strong start this season. Meidlinger balances the attack with an aggressive and powerful approach from the opposite pin. It led to her 52 kills and 9.0 blocks ranking among the Lightning leaders. Those numbers confirm her contributions as a two-way player. With another year of high school remaining after this one, Meidlinger has time to push towards her potential and makes her one to monitor moving forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->