New Minnesota Prospects Making Early Impact

Title Photo Cred: Joe Ahlquist - Rochester Post Bulletin In a convention center, bubble, or whatever volleyball facility it may be, there are always new players to see and teams that just have something exciting that catches the eye. Whether it be a three set match, a game changing rally, or maybe a role player who steps up in a big time way it doesn't take long to make a good impression. This past weekend at the Mizuno Showcase there were plenty of players from four different states to take note of from four different divisions. For these Minnesota athletes, specifically in the 16s division, they found a way to help their team. Take a look at some new names that made an impact this past weekend at the Showcase in the Dells. Madison Gully - Minnesota Volleyball Academy 16 Elite - Outside Hitter Gully was absolutely on fire this weekend for MVA who went 6-3 overall winning the Premier Bronze bracket. MVA has a very balanced attack, but Gully was a point scoring machine. Gully, who stands at 5’8 has a really high contact point, with really solid hand contact, she finds a way to get some pace on the ball to score points. She is always an outlet for MVA and is solid in the backrow as well. Megan Liu - MN Select 16-2 - Setter Liu is one of the setters for MN Select 16-2 who really had solid all around weekend as a club at the Mizuno Showcase. Liu has a great release on the ball, soft hands, but what allows her to do that is her ability to get her feet set. A misconception with setting is how a lot of times the common fan will look at what the results are, but a major part of how the ball comes out of the hands is if setters are able to get their feet to the spot before the ball. Liu has great quickness and is able to get the ball in solid positioning. Sydney Peterson - MN Select 16-2 - Right Side Peterson comes from Centennial High School and has a really solid swing and can set the block for Select. MN Select 16-2 finished with only one loss over the course of the weekend which was to the top Illini Elite team in Gold Bracket play where they lost the second set 29-27. Claire Walsh - MN North 16-1 - Outside Walsh is an aggressive, six rotation outside hitter who is not afraid to take the big swing. MN North is a solid, all around athletic team and Walsh is someone who can do a little bit of everything. With some solid middle blockers for North, Walsh has the opportunity for some one on one opportunities. Jolie Stecher - SMV 16-1 - Outside Hitter (Title Photo) Stecher and the rest of her high school teammates will be itching to get back on the court this fall for Stewartville, returning plenty of players from a top five ranked team in Class AA in 2018. As for club, Stecher is tearing it up for SMV 16-1. As a pin hitter who can contribute on the left or right side she has a really athletic style of play where she can adjust to play and what she is facing on the other side of the net. Look for Stecher to be the next up and coming athlete from Stewartville and Southeast Minnesota. Abby Thompson - MN North 16-1 - Middle Blocker Thompson is a six foot middle blocker who is consistently improving. This past weekend there were some flashes of greatness where she had complete control of the net offensively and defensively. There was one play where she was able to put an overpass away right at the ten foot line. As she continues to develop her all around front row play by hitting various tempos she is going to be dangerous to defend the next couple of years. Ellie Hilliard - M1 16-3 - Outside Hitter Hilliard is a high flyer for M1 who can definitely play all the way around and score points in any rotation going cross or down the line. M1 16-3 had a big day going 3-0 and then day two came up just short on day two with all of their matches three sets and being on the wrong side of the outcome on Saturday. To be in the position to compete for a Gold pool position on Sunday shows the potential this team has. Elise Rossing - Crossfire 16-1 - Right Side Having a really effective right side seems to be an X factor for a lot of teams. They provide another outlet as well as a solid block to be a neutralizer. When Rossing combines with Kiya Durant for a double block this is tough for teams to hit around. Two really athletic, physical players who can change a game with their swing and block. Crossfire knocked off some really talented teams on Friday in power pool play which include Illini Elite and Fusion.