Top Defenders (Not at US BANK Stadium) From The Final…Molten Series
We’ve all heard the “Defense – Clap – Clap – DEFENSE” chant – that’s the theme of the weekend in the Minneapolis area with Virginia and Texas Tech earning their way into the championship game tonight due to having some…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe’ve all heard the “Defense – Clap – Clap – DEFENSE” chant – that’s the theme of the weekend in the Minneapolis area with Virginia and Texas Tech earning their way into the championship game tonight due to having some of the best defenses in the country. They weren’t the only ones showing top defensive skills in the area as the Molten Series at Midwest Volleyball Warehouse had some top defenders to take note of.
Brenna Hesse – Farmington – Northern Lights 18-2 – Class of 2019 (Title Picture – Photo Cred: Farmington Independent)
Libero – Committed to Green Bay
Hesse has to be one of the most athletic liberos in the state with how she commands the backcourt, she looks like a shortstop in softball just reading the hitter anticipating where the ball is going to be before contact is even made. The Northern Lights 18-2 team is gritty, they fight, and Hesse definitely leads the way in that category. She will be a great fit at Green Bay with other Northern Lights Alums Taylor Wolf and Anna Eaton.
Alena Moldan – Lakeville South – Mizuno M1 18-1 – Class of 2019
Libero – Committed to New Mexico
Moldan has had a huge senior season, leading South to a state tournament appearance and M1 to an Open bid for 18s USAV Nationals. With a platform that makes passing look easy, Moldan is always balanced with her platform away from her body allowing her to take pace of the ball and make quick adjustments. Some of the best qualities of a libero are not always the diving plays, but the ones where they can make something really difficult look really easy – that’s Moldan.
Kaitlyn Weimerskirch – Champlin Park – MN Select 18-1 – Class of 2019
Libero – Committed to Illinois State
Weimerskirch is always so composed, she just never seems to get rattled. Whether she’s playing in set five of a state championship or this past Sunday at the Molten Series she has consistent body language and is always aware of her platform. Illinois State is a team coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance and Weimerskirch will be a great fit at the next level competing in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Marissa Hinkle – Rosemont – Northern Lights 18-1 – Class of 2019
Libero – Committed to UCLA
Hinkle is heading West to compete in the PAC-12 after a successful career being the ‘bro for the Northern Lights team that won the 2018 National Championship in the 17 Open Division. Hinkle is scrappy with a fire that provides quite the spark for her team. She is one that can make the diving play and the routine as well.
Erika Bute – Alden – Conger – Northern Lights 18-1 – Class of 2019
DS/Setter – Committed to Augustana
Bute is wrapping up quite the prep career with 2,000 assists and over 1,000 digs at Alden-Conger High School and has been a big time defender in right back for Northern Lights 18-1. Bute is the type of player and do whatever the team needs, you could probably tell her to go swing on the pin and she’d find a way to contribute. So many times I’ve heard, “We are one DS away from being really good”. Bute has been that DS that has taken Northern Lights to the next level the past couple years and will do the same when she heads to Augustana.
Abby Stark – Willmar – Kandi Elite 17-1 – Class of 2021
Libero
Stark was a starting libero for a really solid Willmar team this past high school team and this club season she is picking up momentum for her Kandi Elite 17-1 which features a lot of 2021 prospects that are playing up a level. Stark is versatile and athletic and is a rising prospect in the Class of 2021.
Alexis Pew – Morris – Kandi Elite 17-1 – Class of 2020
Middle Blocker
Defense isn’t only in the backrow as Pew is an athletic force in the middle getting from pin to pin. She is a hidden gem of Western Minnesota that would be a really solid catch at the next level.
Great match by two great teams. Remember some of these athletes….they’re on track to be very high caliber players, fun to watch! pic.twitter.com/1hoRXomLqS
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) April 7, 2019
Kate Thibault – Watertown-Mayer – MN Select 14-1 – Class of 2023
Libero
Thibault is an eighth grader, but has already made appearances at state volleyball and state gymnastics for Watertown-Mayer. What an athlete. The awareness she has from her platform to where she is on the court to being so under control is really what makes her a top 2023 libero. Thibault will definitely be one to watch through the ranks as she continues to add to her resume of state tournaments and accolades in multiple sports.