McDonald has improved a great deal since I first scouted her as a Cedar Rapids Xavier freshman in 2024. Then, she was a defensive specialist and effective server. Now, she’s coming off a prep campaign that saw her command the back row while wearing the jersey for Iowa City West in its return to the state tournament in the past fall. From the start of the season at the Prep Dig Sizzle to the a return to Xtreme Arena for state, McDonald noticeably sharpened her game. She switched from United to Premier for club ball. A spot on the state’s top team for her age group will expose McDonald to high-level national competition. That continues this weekend when Premier lines up at the Triple Crown invite in Kansas City.

McDonald went from an under-utilized DS as a freshman at Xavier and in club ball last year to a lock-down back-rower for an Iowa City West team that reached the state tournament this fall. Like most liberos, she picked up her consistency, helping keep the Trojans in system in order to set up a talented group of hitters along the net. McDonald is improving at reading the opposing attack and identifying any tendencies from the other team, placing her in better positions to make plays. She’s also gotten better delivering opportunities for the pins off of the two ball. McDonald was one of the state’s most improved players in 2025, and she has chance to take another significant step forward in the new year.

Another West High prospect with an up arrow, McDonald has helped solidify the Trojans defense in the back row. McDonald has steadily improved since last season, showing it on the club circuit and again when I scouted her in the Live Like Line Tournament at Iowa City West in early September. McDonald was helping the team connect with her passing, serve-receive and communication. She was leading the squad with 182 digs through the first 18 matches. McDonald embodies what you look for in a libero. She’s quick laterally with sharp reflexes. McDonald reads the attack well and puts herself in position to make plays. Her stock is rising.