Big Time Players Shine At Class A Showcase
The Minnesota small schools were providing some big time talent this past weekend at the Midwest Volleyball Warehouse in Burnsville at The Showcase put on by Southwest Christian. These types of athletes are the type that do it all, from the court to the classroom to extracurricular activities. Some of these athletes come from schools who have a couple hundred kids (or much less).
The field featured some of the top ranked teams which included defending champion, Mayer Lutheran as well as runner-up from 2017, Minneota. New Life, who was defeated by Minneota in the state quarterfinals was in the field as well. With these top teams competing for early season hardware, the final four resulted in Minneota avenging a state championship loss to Mayer Lutheran in the finals and Watertown-Elysian-Morristown defeating Wabasso for third place. Here are some of the top players who were stars of the Showcase.
Seeing some @MIACathletics volleyball programs in attendance. Some great athletes here who could make a great fit at the next level.
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) September 21, 2018
Jenna Frank – Setter – Senior – Wabasso
Frank was one of the top setters in the field along with Morgan Kockelman of Minneota last weekend. At 5’9, Frank can be physical offensively, put up a big block, and has great quickness all around the court. Wabasso has a very balanced team with multiple positions that can score at any point, but with Frank running the show this makes for a tough matchup where the ball doesn’t drop on the floor very often.
Maddy Guetter – Outside Hitter – Senior – Wabasso
One of Frank’s top targets is Maddy Guetter who is an Augustana commit. Guetter looks like she could step out onto any court or field and be one of the top athletes to compete. Extremely quick in transition and makes plays happen out of nothing really shows how dynamic she is. Oh, and she can just sky to get the ball with a high contact point! This duo will be tough to compete with when things get tough down the stretch come post season.
Abigail McGlynn – Outside Hitter – Senior – Stephen-Argyle
I first noticed McGlynn when she was on another court warming up (athlete’s take note – coaches notice warm ups). McGlynn was absolutely flying to the ball. Lots of raw athleticism and the ability to go get it! Combine that with a live arm she provides quite the spark for Stephen-Argyle. I didn’t do a lot of homework before this tournament to realize McGlynn was a Class A All State performer last year. I can see why!
Olivia Tjernagel – Middle Blocker – Junior – Mayer Lutheran
Mayer Lutheran will always have athletic height at the net. There is a difference between just being tall compared to being athletic and tall. Tjernagel is a Northern Iowa commit who stands at 6’1 has such great footwork when it comes to her block and transition. She always makes sure she is never out of position and reads the other side of the court really well.
Claudia Stahlke – Middle Blocker – Junior – Mayer Lutheran
At 6’2, Stahlke is a physical presence at the net with a high reach. Right now Stahlke is uncommitted, but if I were on an NSIC staff I’d be at her court ASAP. She has an aggressive style and her best volleyball is ahead of her. This Mayer Lutheran team is replacing a lot of Seniors from last years state championship team, but the cupboard is far from bare.
Jamie Guptill – Middle Blocker – Senior – Rush City
One of the best athletes in the gym, Guptill definitely was fun to watch over the course of a few matches playing mostly middle, but also playing in the backrow too. When Guptill complete’s her career at Rush City she will be heading to Concordia-St. Paul to continue the tradition of national championships by the Bears. A lot of these players will be seeing each other in the future playing in the NSIC.
Piper Asche – Middle Blocker – Senior – MACCRAY
I could definitely see Asche playing in a basketball game on Friday and getting a double double in points and rebounds and following it up on a Saturday morning with a club tournament where she is scoring points on her swing and being everywhere across the net! Asche is another Augustana commit and has the ability to play anywhere on the front row. With her athleticism and ability to get from pin to pin she has the physicality to be such a dominate middle blocker offensively and defensively. MACCRAY had a tough weekend, but had a lot of three set matches where they were oh so close to pulling off, including one in pool play to WEM.
Marlee Turn – Middle Blocker – Junior – Kittson County Central
KCC was dangerously close to upsetting Mayer Lutheran in the first set of the tournament, and proved to be a tough team the rest of the tournament. Turn is extremely aggressive, not afraid to take a big swing. She already has 209 kills so far this season which is enough for 4.3/set. This KCC team with their athleticism and aggressive style of play could be a major sleeper.
Toryn Richards – Middle Blocker – Sophomore – Waterville-Elysian-Morristown
Richards is just one of the many athletes for WEM who is quick and can get to the ball quickly. WEM relies on their speed and scrappiness to get the play going and creates a tough matchup for the other side of the net. When they are in system they can be tough to stop.
Elora Passa – Outside/Setter – Senior – Barnesville
Passa does a little bit of everything for Barnesville. She can hit, set, and put up a massive block. She will be one of the best athletes on the floor and most of the offense runs through Passa in one way or another. She is definitely a hidden gem in the Senior Class of 2019.
The girls are coming home with a first place finish at the “Class A Showcase”! We beat Mayor Lutheran in 2!! #cantstopwontstop #BigDreams ???????????? pic.twitter.com/7LT2kaaT50
— Minneota Vikings Volleyball (@vballvikings) September 22, 2018
Minneota keeps on rollings. The setter middle combination of Morgan Kockelman and Lydia Sussner is one that I will continue to write about. They are continuing to improve since the Southwest Minnesota Challenge with multiple players stepping up. Who is their overall featured player? Their defense. Serve receive, ball control, and keeping the ball in court. They make it a simple game.