Young Guns: Some of MN’s Best Frosh & Soph Attackers
Minnesota has a long tradition as one of the hotbeds for volleyball talent and this up and coming group of young athletes is already garnering a lot of attention. Be sure to keep your eyes on alert for these athletes…
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Continue ReadingMinnesota has a long tradition as one of the hotbeds for volleyball talent and this up and coming group of young athletes is already garnering a lot of attention. Be sure to keep your eyes on alert for these athletes and others in the coming weeks and years. They are fun to watch.
Class of 2021
Lauren Galvin
Lauren
Galvin
6'0" | OH
East Ridge | 2021
State
MN
– 5’11, OH, East Ridge
One of two underclassmen on the list that provide big contributions for East Ridge and their recognition as the #7 ranked 3A team in the state. She has good feel for the tempo of play and awareness of the opponent across the net, which she then can effectively adjust her arm speed to score with power, off speed, or with a finessed shot. A savvy player that complements the veteran leaders well for the Raptors.
Maddie Hornyak – 5’10, RS, Lakeville North
Perhaps undersized for her role as an opposite among the state’s elite 3A teams. However, she is effective on both sides of the ball as an aggressive attacker and skilled blocker that can disrupt even the best hitters with good vision and athleticism. Although not necessarily the first option in the offense, Hornyak makes the most of her opportunities as she provides a dimension for the Panthers that allows their offense to score from a variety of locations pin-to-pin.
Sophia Jesewitz – 6’3, OH, Wayzata
With good length and arm speed, Jesewitz developed herself into a primary weapon for the Trojans offense. She can terminate from anywhere on the floor and her court sense and awareness as a primary passer allows her to be utilized for six rotations making her tough to defend. A big reason why the Trojans have advanced to the 5AAA championship finals.
Erin Lamb
Erin
Lamb
6'3" | MB
Stewartville | 2021
State
MN
– 6’2, MB, Stewartville
Can you say athlete? Lamb is a star on the volleyball and basketball court and his a huge reason why Stewartville has been among the best teams all year regardless of classification. She is physical and has length, speed, vision, and range that when combined with her athleticism it is tough to slow her down. She is so versatile that she often is a primary passer as a middle attacker, which is very rare at any level of volleyball given the spacing and speed needed to be as effective as she is as a middle hitter.
Ava Moes
Ava
Moes
6'3" | RS
Lakeville South | 2021
State
MN
– 6’3, RS/OH, Lakeville South
Moes is versatile and also among the most physical among this list of athletes. She has great ability to hit a variety of tempos and locations with heat and range from pin to pin. She has a maturity about her play that is veteran-like in her competitiveness and her command for the ball. She has good footwork and speed that allows her to get to most sets on balance so she can utilize her length and strength to hit over, around, and through most blocks.
Class of 2022
Brit Carlson – 6’5, RS/OH, East Ridge
Possesses good mobility and quickness that help create opportunities to score primarily from the opposite position for East Ridge. She has a nice arm and ability to swing through a variety of zones on the floor for points. Her length makes her a formidable block and she will no doubt be a big threat on both sides of the ball as she gets stronger and gains more experience. If she can steadily contribute for East Ridge going forward they just might have a shot.
Julia Hanson
Julia
Hanson
6'0" | OH
Prior Lake | 2022
State
#57
Nation
MN
– 5’10, OH, Prior Lake
Elevation, hang time, and no fear. Hanson has all the tools to hang with the veterans on any given day. She has a very bright future in this sport as a primary attacker as she led Prior Lake offensively this season. She is gifted athletically and as she continues to develop her vision and range she will be lethal for the Lakers for several years.
Kendal Kemp
Kendal
Kemp
6'6" | MB
Eagan | 2022
State
#84
Nation
MN
– 6’6, MB, Rogers
Led Rogers at the net offensively and defensively. Tough to stop given her length and high contact point as a middle hitter with the ability to simply hit a higher and slower quick attack over defenders. With more experience and working towards quicker foot speed and adjusting to a faster pace of play, she has potential to become one of the best in her class over the next few years.
Natalee Rolbiecki
Natalee
Rolbiecki
5'10" | OH
Minneota | 2022
State
MN
– 5’11, MH, Minneota
Although young, Rolbiecki is experienced. She started in the middle for Minneota as an 8th grader helping to lead the Vikings to a state runner-up finish and earning Class A all-tournament honors. Also helped her club team win the AAU 16 Club national championship this past summer. A big strength is in her blocking prowess with good patience, vision, and quickness to close from pin to pin and consistently get her hands in good position in front of the hitter. Her quickness also makes her an effective attacker that can be tough to track in transition.