Accepting Your Role — What Role Players are making a Big Impact this Club Season?
When players sign to play on a club team, there is always an adjustment period that needs to take place. Many athletes that make up the top teams at any club are used to being the best player on their…
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Continue ReadingWhen players sign to play on a club team, there is always an adjustment period that needs to take place. Many athletes that make up the top teams at any club are used to being the best player on their high school team. They probably play 6 rotations, get set every ball and are the headliner in their local paper after each match.
Club is a whole different world. Sometimes players are forced to try new positions, only play front row or back-row, or even accept taking a seat on the bench behind someone else. Learning how and why your role on the team is important is a hard adjustment for many girls to make, but when they do…they learn a very valuable lesson. Being willing to do whatever it takes to help your team and accept the role you’ve been given is a huge asset to have.
Here we take a look at a talented group of DS’s that have excelled at the high school level as a Libero — but have adjusted to a new role on their club teams.
Emma Wahl (2021) — Kandi Elite 17-1s
Anyone who has watched the KEVC 17-1 team knows that their roster is stacked with athletic kids — half of which are 2021s. Wahl is no exception. She comes from Westbrook-Walnut Grove where her and her sister (a 2019 graduate) patrolled the backrow for WWG and would rarely let a ball hit the ground without a solid effort. Emma is known for her dramatic diving plays, stretching all 60 inches of her body (yep, she’s tiny) to reach any ball that she can. A definite rising star, it’s been crazy to see how her game has improved after joining KEVC. She is definitely a player this team can’t live without.
SiSi Mitchell — KOKORO 18-1s
Kokoro 18-1s are packed full of talent. A strong group of kids with athletes heading all over the country to play volleyball at the next level. SiSi is a strong defender with a ton of grit. Stepping in as a DS to this talented team of athletes, she has been a great pickup for their roster. She plays with heart and fire and provides some depth to their defense. Heading to XULA – she will be a great addition to their program!
Erika Bute – NL 18-1s
Talk about accepting your role and running with it. Bute is one of the most decorated players to ever come out of Alden-Conger. Racking up over 2000 set assists and 1000 digs in her prep career — she is known for her leadership and strong skill set. Playing on the extremely talented NL 18-1s team, Bute settled into her role as a DS and has never looked back. She is rock solid for them on defense and serve receive. Her strong skill set allows her to push the other DS’s around her (Marissa Hinkle and Rachel Kilkelly..both heading to top DI programs this fall) to be better players. Bute is heading to Augustana University this fall where she is sure to step in and make an immediate impact.
Avery Elfering — KEVC 18-1s
Avery Elfering has been a staple on this KEVC squad since their breakout season in 2015. Their starting Libero at the time, she anchored their defense and serve receive with ease. In the fall of 2017 she suffered a knee injury that caused her to transition to the DS position (behind CSP Commit, Riley Decker) as she rehabbed ad recovered. Elfering is an extremely solid serve receiver and has really improved her defense from the left back. She is playing better than she did prior to her injury and looks solid going into the last few weeks of club and her freshman season at the University of Sioux Falls.
Taylor Quan – MN Select 17-1
An early NDSU Commit — Quan (graduating in 2020) plays a pivotal role for MN Select and their very successful 17-1 squad. Playing for the highly competitive Osseo Squad in the fall, Quan brings a pretty platform and a strong ability to read the ball defensively. She always puts herself in solid position to deliver to her setter and keep her team in system. Luckily for MN Select, they have the ability to use Quan or Molly Schultz (University of Kansas) at any time in the off-colored jersey.
Abby Denucci & Brenna Olson — KOKORO 17-1
This duo is a little different. Both playing on the extremely successful Kokoro 17-1s team, the Kokoro coaches have been known to utilize both girls in their matches. Abby is a little stronger on serve receive while Brenna rarely lets a ball drop defensively. Both are equally important, and it’s been fun watching them push each other at tournaments. These two are sure to have bright futures as they continue to push each other at practice and tournament to make themselves and their team better.
Mayssa Tweet — SWMNVB 17-1
Stepping into big shoes for the reigning AAU Champions in the 16s division, Mayssa is new to SWMNVB and has grabbed onto her opportunities and run with them. SWMNVB is always known for their defense and ball control and Tweet fits this persona perfectly. Strong passing, good defensive positioning and knack for making big plays in the backrow – Tweet is a great addition to this already stacked 17-1s team. And did we mention she’s just a FRESHMAN? Watch for big things to come out of Mayssa and her team this year.
{Writers Note: Some of these players might rotate into the Libero position for their club team, but these viewpoints were gathered watching them play this specific role at the time}