Heartland Cup 17/18 Power League: 5 Stock Risers

Emmy Grant (Millard North) of Nebraska Elite 171 TKO goes up for an attack against the block of Alex Lemke (Lincoln East) and Kalynn Meyer (Superior) of VCNebraska 17 Elite during Sunday’s match. (Photo by Berk Brown)

Here are the 5 players – listed alphabetically – that raised their stock the most at first week of the Heartland Cup 17/18 Power League on Sunday.

Michaela Boon (Norris), Nebraska Juniors 181 – The junior setter plays in the shadows of teammate Lily Heim on the Nebraska Juniors team, but had some really nice moments on Sunday and her play allows the team to utilize Heim as an extra blocker/attacker if it desires. Currently ranked #65 overall and the #15 setter in class of 2019, Boon showed she deserves a higher mark.

Emma Gabel (Lincoln Pius X), VCNebraska 17 Elite – Currently ranked #48 overall and the #5 libero in the class of 2019, Gabel showed she is picking right up where she left off last season as her steady presence and consistent passing in the back row set VCNebraska 17 Elite up for being in system most of the time on Sunday.

Emma Hern (Omaha Marian), Nebraska Juniors 181 – The Omaha Marian junior is currently ranked #76 overall and the #23 MH/MB in the class of 2019. She has been the main backup to Division I middles Sarah Wing and Maddie Wiedenfeld the past three years at Marian, but she was impressive Sunday. I wouldn’t say Hern had any great matches statistically, but when matched up against Illinois recruit Kyla Swanson and Kalynn Meyer on Sunday, Hern still made a lot of plays and got a lot of touches.

Tria McLean (Battle Creek), Nebraska Elite 16 Vici – It may not translate into a significant bump in the rankings, but McLean was pretty much as good as advertised on Sunday. Currently ranked #11 overall and as the #2 setter in the class of 2020, McLean was basically setting in her first major club tournament. While far from perfect, she did display her trademark great athleticism and was especially impressive, in my opinion, on the timing of her quick sets in the middle, which played a crucial role in her team going 3-0.

Kalynn Meyer (Superior), VCNebraska 17 Elite – Yes, Meyer is ranked #1 overall for the class of 2020, but she still raised her stock with her first-ever major club tournament performance on Sunday. Any doubts anyone might have had about Meyer’s ability to go from no significant club experience and playing for a C-2 school to playing at a 17 Open level was laid to rest. Meyer’s block is incredible – consistently getting her chin to the top of the tape.