Four States – One Top Team – Prep Dig All Top 250 Team (Liberos and Setters)
With four events in four states over the course of two weekends, there was plenty of volleyball to be played at the Prep Dig Top 250 in Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. With all events considered, here are some of…
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Continue ReadingWith four events in four states over the course of two weekends, there was plenty of volleyball to be played at the Prep Dig Top 250 in Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. With all events considered, here are some of the top athletes from each state to make up the All Top 250 Team starting with the setters and liberos.
Nebraska
Macy Boggs – Gering – Northeastern VBC-Panhandle Nebraska
Class of 2021 – Setter
Love the style of play from Boggs. She just commands leadership and is a natural setter. From a technique standpoint she has great feet, receives the ball in a neutral spot where she can do any tempo to any spot on the net. She was connecting well with her right sides in positionals and in a six on six setting, she just runs the show – love it!
Ivy Leuck – Omaha Skutt Catholic – Premier Nebraska Volleyball
Class of 2023 – Setter
Watching the competition drills, I would have pegged Leuck as an outside hitter. She plays great defense, swings aggressively, and sees the court extremely well. Once athletes broke out to positionals, she went with the setters and wow – great hands and the ability to connect with her attackers. First and foremost a really solid athlete and volleyball player and even a bigger bonus is her ability to set.
Alyssa Bock – Plattsmouth – Nebraska One
Class of 2020 – Libero
She’s a Senior and would be a great fit at the next level. Not only does she have great control of her platform and court sense, she has a presence on the court where she communicates and encourages – love seeing that in any player, let alone playing with athletes she probably isn’t accustomed to playing with. Speaks volumes of what she can provide to a team.
Morgan Sangl – Gretna – VCN
Class of 2021 – Libero
Love the style of play by Sangl. She reads incredibly well, very aware of her platform and has little wasted movement. Another strong aspect to Sangl’s game is how she can put up a great second ball to an outlet. Sangl was part of a really talented libero group in Iowa, but plays her high school and club ball in Nebraska.
Iowa
Taylor Grinley – Gilbert – CIA
Class of 2021 – Setter
So smooth with great hands. As a setter, Grinely puts up a really clean ball for her hitters to terminate. This past high school season she was on the right side as well as setting, but setting will be her future with her ability to go from pin to pin as well as mix in a variety of tempos. Cool, calm, and collected she will be a key piece to the success of CIA 17 Black in 2020.
Hailey Ikeda – Cedar Rapids Prairie – Adrenaline
Class of 2021 – Setter
Ikeda was a new athlete on the radar until the Top 250. The Junior setter is a solid all-around athlete who can contribute in a variety of ways. Her overall effort, athleticism, and ability to connect with hitters is what sets her apart. She will play for Adrenaline out of Cedar Rapids which will have a new look to their 17s squad that will be turning plenty of heads this season.
Jadyn Jondle – Clarion-Goldfield-Dows -Six Pack
Class of 2021 – Libero
So solid. Jondle is so efficient with how she moves and always has a presence on the floor. She makes the routine plays look easy, can serve receive on a dime, and her body language is always positive and confident. The Six Pack team out of Cedar Falls this year is going to be extremely talented and deep, they will be ones to make a push for an Open bid at the 17s level.
Mia Gamet – Sergeant Bluff-Luton
Class of 2021 – Libero
Gamet is fresh off a state title for Sergeant Bluff-Luton where she always provided a solid first contact for the Warriors. At the Iowa Top 250, she showed how she can anticipate extremely well making highlights picking up plenty of tips (which again shows her ability to anticipate). Strong, athletic, and really physical in the backrow where she is a gamechanger.
Emmy Wedgbury – Cedar Falls – CIA
Class of 2021 – Libero
Wedgbury is an all around athlete, and another who is fresh off a state title. With a major background in the beach game, Wedgbury is also able to put up a great second ball and if not playing libero, can provide an attack out of the backrow. She is a swiss army knife type of player, but most likely will be the libero for CIA 17 Black with Grinley.
Trinity Zika – Marion – Adrenaline
Class of 2021 – Libero
Zika keeps improving each time she steps on the court. She played a huge role in Marions run to the state semifinals where she earned All-State honors. Zike plays loose, puts up a really solid second ball, and does whatever it takes to keep her side of the net in system. She will team up with Ikeda on the Adrenaline 17 squad.
Wisconsin
Josie Halbleib – Sun Prairie – FC Elite
Class of 2021 – Setter
Halbleib is rising up on the list of setters in Wisconsin as a 6’2 left-handed, dynamic athlete who is touching nearly ten feet. She receives the ball high, jump sets, and has been part of back to back state tournament teams at Sun Prairie. Her reach allows her to put up a big block and really give an opposing outside some fits. She will have a big club season ahead of her playing on the FC Elite – 18 Elite squad.
Two of the top athletes in the gym going head to head in Josie Halbleib and Lindsay Krznarich going head to head in the front row. Great competitors pic.twitter.com/POmFZunXAC
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) December 15, 2019
Adriana Studer – Lake Country Lutheran – Milwaukee Sting
Class of 2022 – Libero
Studer will be one of the top liberos in the Class of 2022 in Wisconsin this upcoming club season. With great platform awareness, Studer is able to keep her side of the net in system. She will be heading to Colorado Springs over Christmas break to train at the National Team Training Center with some of the top players in the country. She will be a key athlete for Milwaukee Sting 16 Gold.
Emma Baierl – Howards Grove – FC Elite
Class of 2022 – Setter
Baierl was part of a great team this fall when she won a state title at Howards Grove, but this past Sunday she was a major standout among setters with great feet, soft hands, and an amazing court sense. Baierl not only can put a great ball up for her attackers, but she see’s the open spots and right opportunities to attack on the second contact as well as hold down the right back on defense.
Emma Baierl fresh off a state title for Howards Grove always smooth, under control and puts up a great ball. So smart in a game situation. pic.twitter.com/MVShbFlZRL
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) December 15, 2019
Brooke Anderson – Kimberly – FC Elite
Class of 2021 – Libero
Anderson keeps climbing among top liberos with her ability to serve receive and be in the right place at the right time. For liberos who just find themselves in the right spot, it comes by no accident. Anderson reads the other side of the net and is able to demonstrate a great range on defense.
Minnesota (From our Prep Dig MN Writers)
Olivia KoeppenKarsee Kampsen – BBE – Kandi Elite
Class of 2021 – Setter
Clearly evident was her leadership and experience as she seamlessly stepped into this context and utilized her skills well as her play automatically elevated whatever court she was on. Perhaps considered undersized as a setting prospect, Kampsen plays much bigger with her athleticism and overall impact. She will lead a solid Kandi Elite 17-1 team with a corps of dynamic attackers.
Morgan Chmielewski – Mayer Lutheran – High Voltage
Class of 2021 – Libero
As the libero for powerhouse Mayer Lutheran, she has great experience. Her length allows her to use her platform skills effectively from any location on the floor. She has great balance, vision, and pursuit of the ball. She provides a calm and patient presence in this role.
Olivia Koeppen – Minnetonka – M1
Class of 2021 – Setter
Koeppen set Minnetonka through a terrific high school season and has established herself as one of the better floor generals in the 2021 class. Another athlete that displayed a confidence in her skill set and that also elevated the play of those around her. She has good footwork, touch, and location through both pins.