Blaine Invitational: Eight Athletes to Watch

Another weekend brings on another tournament featuring some of Minnesota’s best. Some of the varsity teams set to compete alongside host Blaine include Albert Lea, Anoka, Edina, Faribault, Greenway, Highland Park, Kenyon-Wanamingo, Legacy Christian Academy, Minneapolis Washburn, North St. Paul, Osseo, Owatonna, Rosemount, Roseville, St. Louis Park, and St. Michael-Albertville. Here is a group of athletes to look for that provide a lot of athleticism and energy for their respective teams and should make a big impact this weekend. Raegan Alexander - St. Louis Park | MH | 2021 Alexander has been a key contributor for the Orioles from the middle position as she is among the team leaders in both total kills and blocks in 2019. She has great size and length at 6’1 and is fluid in her movement between the pins. She is the Orioles’ best one-foot attacker behind the setter and her blocking mechanics are smooth as she can get up fast and over the net well to fill up good space. Perhaps under the radar in the junior class, she is definitely an athlete to keep an eye one. She is part of a veteran group that provides good offensive production and pressure defensively and serving from just about every position. [player_tooltip player_id="31566" first="Ava" last="Cinnamo"] - Rosemount | S | 2022 | Prep Dig #17 At 5’7, Cinnamo plays much bigger at the net. She is athletic. Her quickness benefits her well in all of her skills as she can cover ground fast in pursuit of the ball defensively or setting and in closing down the hitter with her block move to the pin. She is the floor leader for the Irish and controls a balanced offensive attack in leading the team in total assists. She also leads the team in total service aces and is among the leaders in digs and blocks. Her competitiveness and fiery leadership very much ignite a young but talented Rosemount squad. [player_tooltip player_id="73471" first="Mya" last="Cinnamo"] - Rosemount | OH | 2023 Just a freshman, Cinnamo is explosive with a fast arm. She plays like a veteran and is not afraid to take the big swing. She can move the ball around sharp cross, through the seams, or down the line. Among the team leaders in total kills and digs, she can also apply great pressure from the service line. Her future is now as she is one of a handful of key pieces to this Rosemount attack that are sophomores or younger and who collectively play with a lot of energy and passion. [player_tooltip player_id="72065" first="Kendall" last="Coley"] - St. Louis Park | MH | 2021 The other half of the Orioles’ athletic middle tandem. Coley appears more raw in her experience and movement but can still be very effective on both sides of the ball with her length and athleticism. At 6’1, she is gaining more and more confidence in her transition off the net to make herself available offensively. With her gains in adding more of a quick presence in the Orioles’ offense, this makes them much more balanced and dangerous with their very capable core of arms already established. With this increased confidence brings more opportunities. Her size also sustains this great middle presence through all six rotations. [player_tooltip player_id="57544" first="Grace" last="Hamerski"] - Edina | OH/DS | 2020 | Prep Dig #111 Hamerski is fun to watch. She is a ball of energy and fearless in her play. At 5’6, she elevates well and utilizes a nice arm that can score from the pin or with her topspin jump serve. She is a team leader defensively as well and carries a big load for the Hornets in their overall effort from match to match. She has an infectious style in her play and connection with her team, largely as a result of good volleyball I.Q. and her competitive veteran approach to the game. She has great club experience and training playing for Northern Lights and is currently uncommitted. [player_tooltip player_id="57534" first="Lindy" last="Oujiri"] - Osseo | OH/MH | 2020 | Prep Dig #101 A 2018 NW Suburban all-conference selection, Oujiri is probably the most versatile athlete on the Osseo side. She has great length at 6’1 and can create a whip of an arm swing with good torque and pace. Her high double-arm lift also helps her contact the ball around the peak of her jump, which creates more opportunity to swing with range. She can score from anywhere between the pins as well as the back row. Oujiri has good vision and court awareness that help her to make plays in many areas of the game, whether swinging around or off the block, pursuing the ball defensively, or shutting down an attacker with good hand position at the net. She is big reason why the Orioles made a good run last year in section playoffs and why they are off to a respectable 9-3 start in 2019. Bria Sandifer - North St. Paul | S | 2020Sandifer stands at 5’7 but her presence is much bigger on the court given her role as the Polars’ setter. She is feisty and can distribute the ball with good tempo from pin to pin, often making good out any difficult situation. Her court awareness is a strength of hers in setting against the flow, dumping on the second touch, and keeping her hot hitters involved. She is the Polars’ team captain and has earned multiple all-conference honors for a team that is currently 12-3 and dangerous in many ways. Kat Warpinski - Edina | DS/S/RH | 2020 At 5’9, Warpinski contributes a lot in both halves of the game for Edina. Offensively she finds a way. She gets her opportunities to swing from both pins each match and will work the opposing defense well with the varied shots she can bring in moving the ball around. She also helps steady the Hornets’ offense off of her hands or with her defensive ball control. She locates the ball well from pin to pin when setting, can put up a good block, and also can apply good pressure from the service line. She is a veteran leader for this squad and brings a lot of energy to the court.