State Tournament Youth Movement
There was plenty of young talent in the State Tournament this year. There were a lot of teams loaded with seniors, but there are still some that could be returning on the talent of the youth. We always love to see…
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Continue ReadingThere was plenty of young talent in the State Tournament this year. There were a lot of teams loaded with seniors, but there are still some that could be returning on the talent of the youth. We always love to see the young, up-and-coming talent perform on the big stage. We know they will be household names (in our circle, at least) for the next few years!
Bella Seibel – 2023 – 5’9 – Right Side Hitter – Bloomer
Bloomer was using every weapon at their disposal and a large majority are seniors, but Seibel is the future of Bloomer. As a right side hitter, Seibel doesn’t get a ton of opportunities to swing, but she makes the best of what she gets. Seibel will be a rising prospect to watch, as she most likely transitions into an outside hitter role in 2020.
Cordelia KearnsCordelia Kearns – 2023 – 5’10 – Right Side – Oconomowoc
Kearns is 5’10 and brings a big block and a smart swing. Defending a talented hitter on the right side can be tough, but she sees the block and has a fast swing, which makes her so tough to defend. With Northern Iowa recruit Tayler Alden setting and Kearns on the right, it presents opposing teams’ outsides with a big block in all 6 rotations. Kearns tallied over 200 kills and earned a solid .230 hitting efficiency.
Grace Holschuh – 2022 – 5’10 – Outside Hitter – Luxemburg-Casco
Holschuh is athletic, and in her first season as a starter, she recorded over 300 kills and led a formidable Spartan offense. She jumps so high and has a fast swing, making her hard to stop. LC has another underrated player in junior middle blocker, Hannah Derenne.
Haley GraetzHaley Graetz – 2022 – 6’0 – Middle Blocker – River Falls
Graetz is in her second season as a starter for the Wildcats. She has been a steady force at the net. Graetz is a smart player with power and a physical force at the net. She has a natural knack for finding the open court. Graetz is efficient, hitting a .267, and will be a huge key to the River Falls offense for years to come.
Madi Tolzman – 2022 – 5’8 – Pin Hitter – Arrowhead
This season everyone knew that the Warhawks had a go-to in Aubrey Hamilton (Notre Dame Commit) on the outside pin, but we all know it takes more than just 1 to win a championship. Tolzman is a strong attacker who is third on the team in kills with 235 and over 100 digs. She sees the block well and demands respect from the opposing defense as someone who can put the ball away. Tolzman also scores from the service line with a strong deep float serve.
Morgan KleinMorgan Klein – 2022 – 5’7 – Outside Hitter – Burlington
Klein was on my radar last year after getting a peak at her playing in The 2018 Joust. Klein’s breakout year for Burlington was definitely 2019. This year she racked up almost 300 kills, making her the next most lethal Demon behind senior, Emily Alan.
Tiger Terminators
Howards Grove had quite the roster full of youth. Saige Damrow (2023 – 5’8 – Outside Hitter – Wisconsin Commit) was the freshman phenom who already has a ton of experience as a top libero with FC Elite. Myka Roethal (5’9 – Right Side Hitter), Emma Baierl (5’6 – Setter) and Karissa Kaminski (5’9 – Outside Hitter – Dayton Commit) are three sophomores that made their mark in 2019. Roethal is typically a libero in club, but for the Tigers, she sets a solid block as well as finds the high hands of the opposing blocker and uses them. Baierl has fast feet and great hands. Her great foundation helps give her hitters a ton of opportunities to terminate. Baierl has a great volleyball IQ and executes well-timed setter dumps. Kaminski is a really aggressive attacker. With so many shots, she’s hard to defend with 370 kills on the season, averaging almost four kills per set. She also is relentless on defense and sparks great hustle plays for her team.
Hadley StrohkirchThe Cooney Sophomore Trio
Hadley Strohkirch, Haley Koch, and Maleah Howe
These three have been a huge piece of Oconomowoc’s success in 2019. Strohkirch (5’5) is an effective defensive specialist who is solid and steady in her role. She is new on our radar, and I’m looking forward to seeing how she develops. Koch (6’0) is dynamic, physical, and has a high contact point. She had 203 kills this season and lead the team with 132 blocks. Howe (5’8) is typically a six-rotation outside who can hurt opponents with a wide variety of shots, as well as being solid in serve-receive. Oconomowoc has a line-up with 3 D1 committed liberos so it’s rare to see any hitters play the back row.
Lizzie RosenThe Warrior Future
Brooklyn Tolzman (5’6 – Defensive Specialist) and Lizzie Rosen (5’8 – Pin Hitter) were such steady performers for Clear Lake in their undefeated season. Rosen was a six-rotation pin hitter who takes a nice swing from either pin and was really skilled at dropping the serve right over the net. Tolzman brings spunk and grittiness to the line-up. This Clear Lake group played relaxed, fearless, and persistent in the task at hand.