More Sophomores To Know In The Deep Class of 2021
The Class of 2021 is SO DEEP! To write about the ten best is almost unfair. There are so many players that are at a spot in their young, playing careers where they have the potential to really take off.…
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Continue ReadingThe Class of 2021 is SO DEEP! To write about the ten best is almost unfair. There are so many players that are at a spot in their young, playing careers where they have the potential to really take off. Here are a few Sophomores (we can call them Sophomores now right?) to put on the radar and some who just recently popped up. With play starting this week and some big tournaments off the bat, it will be fun to see what names continues to rise and start to lead their teams.
Anna Holland – Waukesha West – Libero
Waukesha West had quite a summer storming through the Prep Dig Summer League and the preseason Slam in the Dells. Holland was a solid libero for Milwaukee Sting 15 Black this past season, and has been making huge plays all summer! She is extremely solid in serve receive, high IQ out of left back, and anticipates so well especially in tip coverage. The routine play looks easy and she always has herself in the right position at the right time. That is not by coincidence.
McKenna Scharnek – Waukesha West – Setter
By having Scharnek in the lineup it allows West to have so many different options. Darragh Dixon is able to hit on the right side while she’s in the front row and set in the back. Scharnek is a solid defender and on point setter who has a great connection with her middles Anna Nerad and Alexis Boling. She is one of a few Sophomores who are key contributors to West. Abby Fregein on the outside is another Sophomore who plays an outstanding middle back and finds the open spot on the outside.
Tatum Catalano – Germantown – Outside Hitter
So much speed and athleticism from Catalano who can play middle or on the pin. A steady middle for Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold this past club season, Catalano has been playing on the pin for Germantown. Catalano is extremely dynamic where she can contribute from any spot in the front row and score points in a hurry. As her backcourt game continues to develop so will her rise in the rankings for college coaches.
Maggie Craker – McDonell Central – Setter
As a Freshman, Craker had over 1200 assists for McDonell Central which will be a top team in Division 4 this upcoming season. Craker makes setting look easy with a natural knack for the game, a savy to find the open hitter or open court.
Katie Winkler – East Troy – Right Side
Pure power. Winkler was an AAU All American for Milwaukee Sting 15 Black in Orlando this past summer and behind a heavy left handed swing from the right side, she can score a lot of points. A defensive stopper as well, Winkler will be relied upon for East Troy to make a run back to the Resch this season.
Grace Demetrician – Appleton North – Libero
Appleton North has built their foundation with solid ball control and Demetrician and Junior, Megan Piton will be the go to defensive players for the Lightning this Fall. Demetrician communicates extremely well with her hitters and is an established leader on the court. More repetitions, continued training, and an already solid work ethic will get her to the next level.
Bella Bratzke – Indian Trail – Outside Hitter
Bratzke was an outside hitter for the Badger Region High Performance team this past summer. A very live arm and an efficient swing, as a Freshman, Bratzke had over 200 kills for Indian Trail High School and will be looked upon to build off that success as a Sophomore.
Hailey Boelter-Eberhardt – Pewaukee – Setter
Boelter-Eberhardt was one of the keys to success this past club season as one of the setters for Midwest Penguins 15 Black. So smooth at setting a quick tempo, or pushing it to the outside, consistency makes her game very successful. Pewaukee made a run to the sectional final last season by upsetting Kettle Moraine Lutheran, but with the move up to Division 1 this year will have a new task of teams ahead of them.
Emma Mans – Fort Atkinson – Middle Blocker
One of the most powerful players, especially out of the middle, for the Class of 2021. Mans is 6’2, strong, athletic, and extremely physical. Transitioning can be tough for middles to get the footwork down at a young age, but Mans has it, and works extremely hard to get to the right spot. Her rise on the radar will continue to go up. This upcoming season will be fun to see the connection with her sister, Grace, who will be one of the setters for Fort Atkinson.
Natalie Johanknecht – Oshkosh West – Middle Blocker
So smooth and quick. Johanknecht is a quick jumper that has the athleticism to move from pin to pin with ease. She teamed up with another Sophomore middle, Hattie Bray this past club season to make quite the middle blocking duo. Johanknecht plays for Oshkosh West which has four Sophomores in the top 100 of the 2021 rankings. With her athletic ability, I could see Johanknecht playing any front row position at the next level.