Recap of Midland University Pin Hitters Camp

FREMONT - When you've built a national powerhouse like Paul Giesselmann has at Midland University, it shouldn't come as a surprise when your gym is packed with outstanding talent during your camps. That was the case Sunday night in Fremont where Midland hosted a pin-hitters camp, and there were plenty of high leapers and big hitters on hand. In the past four years, Midland has averaged 28 wins a season, and has two Final Four appearances to go with an Elite Eight and Sweet 16 finish as well. During that time, a vast majority of the Warriors' roster has been comprised of local talent. The success combined with the local connections has created an atmosphere where the tea's average home attendance is greater than most NCAA Division I programs. All of that combined has led to Midland becoming a very popular destination for some of the state's top talent. Here is a look at a few of the players that stood out in my eyes on Sunday night. Reilly Peetz, Sr., - Ord A 5'10 lefty senior for the Chants, Peetz doesn't have ideal size for putting up the kind of block you need from a right side in the GPAC, but her athleticism and power arm make her an interesting prospect. She can definitely play at the NAIA level and help raise the overall level of play in the gym at practice. Rebecca Halbmaier, Jr., - Mead Sometimes statistics don't do any justice when it comes to giving you a good idea of a player's talent. Halbmaier is a perfect example of that. She's very graciously listed at 5'9 and had 161 kills as a sophomore last year for the Raiders but hit just .099. However, she is a high-energy kid that can really get up and has a fast arm (she's a lefty) and a vicious snap. I'm not sure she can overcome her lack of height to play at the net at a top-tier NAIA program, but she can definitely play at a NAIA or 2-Year College. Mariah Allen, Sr., - Beatrice Although only 5'7-ish, Allen can be a point scorer at the high school level as shown by her 16-kill performance in a three-set match against Grand Island Northwest last fall. However, what stood out to me was her ball control skills and passing. It's always fun to watch attackers at a camp pound balls on perfectly tossed sets, but things get real when they have to pass to the setter and then attack. That's where the one-demensional players get exposed, but that's where Allen stood out and I can easily see her in a NAIA back row. Joslyn Lewis, Sr., Glenwood (Iowa) There were a handful of athletes at the camp from outside of Nebraska and Lewis was one of the more polished players at the camp. At about 5'10-ish, Lewis reminded me a little bit of current Midland player and former North Bend standout Brooke Frederickson in that her height isn't ideal but she has the power to make up for it. Lindsey Moss, Soph., & Jessie Moss, Jr., - Syracuse Both of the Moss sisters can play at the next level and both are going play large roles for the Rockets this fall. Both are 5'10-ish and have easy athleticism. Jessie was second on the team in both kills and blocks as a sophomore last year for a Syracuse tam that went 26-4 and took St. Paul to five sets in the first round of the state tournament. Expect Lindsey to be the top outside option for Syracuse if the injured Lauren Meyer isn't able to play this fall. Jenna Hamilton, Soph., - Millard North The thing that stood out to me the most about Hamilton is that she has a really good level of control in her game. By that, I mean that she is smart with her hitting and seems to know when to let it rip and when dial it back and make the smart play. Another player in that that 5'10-ish range, it will be interesting to see if she is able to get on the court for Millard North and - if so - how much of an impact she can make at the Class A level. Ellie Dougherty, Soph., - Omaha Mercy Dougherty is probably right at 6'0 and has a physical and strong presence at the net. She can definitely play at the NAIA or 2-Year College level, but she will have to show improved discipline and improved shot selection/making the next couple years to get there. She led Mercy in kills as a freshman last fall, but 23% of her swings were hitting errors. That number needs to be cut in half. Taylor Bunjer, Soph., - Elkhorn Bunjer brings good height to the table and there is no question that her game will translate to the college level if her strength and explosiveness continue to develop with each passing season. She might fly a little under the radar this fall simply because Elkhorn is so loaded with players at the net, but what I actually like the most about Bunjer's game at this point is her passing. She has legit ball control skills and the bottom line is that if you can pass, coaches will find a place for you.