Eisbach becomes a Bearcat

Nodaway Valley standout Izzy Eisbach, who led the state in scoring last year, took care of a big piece of business before she or her teammates have even played a minute of the upcoming season when she signed a national letter of intent with Northwest Missouri State University Nov. 14.

The action makes official a commitment she verbally announced in April.

A member of her school’s volleyball, basketball, track and softball teams, Eisbach has been a four-sport athlete throughout high school.

“This feels amazing — it’s like it isn’t real, but this made it real for me,” Eisbach said. “I am just so happy to finally sign.”

Eisbach began getting looks from colleges around the Midwest the summer after her sophomore school year. She supplemented her high school ball with an impressive career with the club All-Iowa Attack, gaining even more exposure playing there which amounted to 10 or 11 Division II offers.

Going on various college visits during her junior year, her choice came down to Northwest, Pittsburg State University, Washburn or Truman State.

“Northwest always felt like home and it felt special there. I had a call with their coach and felt that was the best decision for me,” Eisbach said. “I love the coaches, love the girls and the atmosphere they have going there because it kind of reminds me of our family here. It felt like an easy transition, it’s close to home, so I’m just really excited.”

Eisbach came into high school either following in the footsteps of or being in supporting roles of players with decorated careers of their own, such as Maddax DeVault, Lindsey Davis and others.

She led the program in assists per game and single season when she was younger and has become more and more of a scorer as she’s gotten older, though she had the best scoring average of any freshman player. She has the program record for points in a game (51 at Mount Ayr last year), 3s in a game (nine at Mount Ayr last year), 3s in a season (last year with 88), field goal makes in a season (250 last season) and steals in a season (122). She is tied for first with 17 field goals made in a game and tied for first with 12 free throws made in a game.

Last season alone, Eisbach was first team all-conference, all-district, all-region and all-state according to the Iowa Print Sportswriters Association and the Iowa Girls Coaches Association. She was honorable mention for the Des Moines Register’s all-state team and made academic all-conference.

With one more season as a Wolverine to go, Eisbach said she’s excited to play with all of her teammates, but especially Orient-Macksburg transfer Emma Boswell, who led the state in rebounds in 2024.

“I’m probably most proud of my sophomore season into my junior season because that’s probably where I grew my game the most. Knowing internally the work I put in and seeing it pay off in games, that’s the biggest thing for me,” Eisbach said. “I hope to continue seeing that during my senior year. I’m so excited for this senior season. It’s sad it’s our last, but I know we have some really big contributors this year so I’m just really excited to get to play with them.”