And the 2020 Preseason Player to Watch Winner Is….
Nebraska High School 2020 Preseason Player to Watch For the last 15 days, volleyball fans and players have been following this bracket and summaries of the players and have learned so much about some great players around the state and…
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Continue ReadingNebraska High School 2020 Preseason Player to Watch
For the last 15 days, volleyball fans and players have been following this bracket and summaries of the players and have learned so much about some great players around the state and the teams they are on. Also within this time frame, the world changed. Through these trials and tribulations, our growth-minded players have continued to figure out a way to better the day. You will see the gym again! You will play volleyball again! You will get to high five that player next to you after a great play! You will persevere!
IRON SHARPENS IRON
In the meantime, thank you to all the fans and players for playing along. Thank you to the players, coaches, and teammates for sharing a wealth of information. Thank you for taking our minds off of the current situation for just a little bit!
Prep Dig – Pre Season Player to Watch Final Bracket
And now, back to business with the 2020 Preseason Player to Watch. The votes have been counted! And our winner is…… (If only we could’ve stopped the competition with 15 minutes left after 2,030 votes and it was 50/50 because both of these players are so deserving along with everyone else in the bracket.) …..ELLIE MILLER, 2021, OMAHA MARIAN!!! After 2,408 votes, the highest in this bracket, Miller edged out Hannah Kepler, 2021, Milford. Congratulations Ellie!
As noted in Round 1 about Miller – Add this 5’8 junior to the list of many great liberos that have been trained at Omaha Marian. Miller has been making strides each season and in 2019 she had 464 digs and 413 serve receptions. Miller will be looked to lead the Marian backcourt in 2020. She is also a reliable server at 93% with 29 aces.
And in Round 2 – Omaha Marian Coach Amy McLeay commented, “Ellie is an extremely hard worker who is committed to improving in all facets of the game. For her the improvement in serve receive was most notable.”
But more importantly, let’s hear from Ellie & Hannah’s fans. Read on for congratulatory vibes to the two young ladies in the finals.
WINNER
Ellie Miller, Omaha Marian, Photo Contributed⇒ ELLIE MILLER, 2021, Libero, Omaha Marian (Uncommitted!!!)
Mom and Dad
Positive Vibes – Ellie congrats for the support you received from the volleyball community, Marian High School students, and friends and family for a great run in the tournament!
Insider Info – What was Ellie’s first volleyball nickname? Elmo
Allie Gray, 2021, Setter
Former teammate at NE Elite 17 Apex
Best Volleyball Memory – Winning runner up in a national championship my 15s year
Positive Vibes – E MIL!! I am beyond proud of you. You are one of the most down to earth people I know who will take advantage of any and every opportunity given to you. You have grown so much into an amazing athlete and an even greater friend. I am so blessed to be able to have played with you and call you one of my good friends.
Rylee Gray, 2021, Middle
One of my best friends and have played with her for 6 years, Elite
Best Volleyball Memory – Getting to know her and growing our friendship through the sport that we both love.
Positive Vibes – Ellie I’m so happy for you! You deserve it and everything else in your future. You’re an amazing player but an even better person. Love you forever
Amy McLeay, High School Team Coach
Best Volleyball Memory – Ellie’s development as a floor leader during the 2019 season was a true testament to her calm and consistent demeanor.
Positive Vibes – Congratulations Ellie! Well deserved! We are so proud of you!!
Sydney & Riley Miller, Sisters
Best Volleyball Memory – Riley — My favorite memory was watching her play in the national championship for the open division in Orlando, Florida.
Sydney — My favorite memory was watching her play in the state championship game! It was the first time my little sister didn’t look so little anymore!
Positive Vibes – Congrats E! We are so proud of you! We can’t wait to watch you play your senior season at Marian! We love you so much!! Love, Sydney and Riley
Sophi Steffes, 2021, Middle
Best Volleyball Memory – We have team dance parties all the time and Ellie really loves to sing and dance! She is always in the middle of the circle making everyone laugh!
Positive Vibes – Congrats Ellie!! I can’t believe that our senior season is almost here, and I can’t wait to get back to state with you and the team! You are so fun to play with and I love being on the court with you! You bring great energy that helps everyone play better! Thank you for being a great friend and teammate!
Kylie Weeks
Kylie
Weeks
5'7" | OH
Elkhorn South | 2022
State
#151
Nation
NE
, Velocity 121 😊, Beach Partner
Best Volleyball Memory – Playing beach with her in Des Moines after never practicing and qualifying for nationals! Also calling each other Elmo and Caillou
Positive Vibes – Congrats Elmo!! Love you always, you’re amazing💕💕
RUNNER UP
Hannah Kepler, Milford, Photo Contributed⇒ HANNAH KEPLER, 2021, Pin Hitter, Milford (Regis University)
Melissa Kepler, Mom
Best Volleyball Memory – When she was 5/6 and her and her older sister Jacquelyn would be playing pepper in the back yard.
Positive Vibes – Congratulations Hannah!! I am so proud of you. Your hard work and selfless attitude will prove to be an asset in the future.
Insider Info – She loves being the middle child!!
Carlin Adams, 2020, DS
Best Volleyball Memory – One time we were doing court conditioning (we ran and shuffled on every line of the volleyball court) during two-a-days. It was 6:30 in the morning and everyone was exhausted and all of a sudden Hannah totally wipes out in the middle of the volleyball court. Everyone immediately started laughing.
Positive Vibes – Hannah I am so proud of you. You are truly so deserving of this! The sky is the limit for you and I cannot wait to see where your talents take you. Keep working hard and being your same smiley self. We all love you and will be supporting you no matter where volleyball takes you.
Elizabeth Bell, 2023, DS
Best Volleyball Memory – Her reaction when coach called her Hank for the first time during practice.
Positive Vibes – Congratulations Hannah. You deserve everything that is coming your way.
Celia Bontrager, 2022, Middle
Best Volleyball Memory – When we beat Thayer Central to make it to the conference championship, and Hannah led our team.
Positive Vibes – Congrats Hannah! All your hard work has paid off, you deserve this!
Whitney Brown, Coach
Best Volleyball Memory – Every day in the gym is fun with Hannah! She can have all of us laughing during a drill, but still have the determination and work ethic to finish strong.
Positive Vibes – Hannah- CONGRATS! You did it! I am so proud of you and so thankful that I get the privilege of coaching you in the fall. Keep working hard!
Elle Kratochvil, 2022, DS
Best Volleyball Memory – So many but the most fun is when her shoe came off in a game and she kept playing
Positive Vibes – Congrats Hannah!! You are such an amazing player and teammate so glad I’ve known you for all these years!!
Naudia Larsen, 2020 DS
Best Volleyball Memory – My most memorable moments with Hannah were before our games when we would get ready in the locker room, and Hannah would be getting everybody else pumped up with music blasting!
Positive Vibes – Congratulations Hannah!! I am beyond proud of you and your amazing accomplishments! I cannot wait to watch you grow even more this next season, keep it up!!
Morgan McCullough, 2022 Middle
Best Volleyball Memory – All of the jokes she makes and how much fun she has at practice and she never fails to make anyone smile
Positive Vibes – Hannah you truly deserved to win. You are a very dedicated player with so much heart on and off of the court. Your hard work and determination has paid off. You are an amazing volleyball player with so much skill and talent!
Jayla Policky, 2020, Libero
Best Volleyball Memory – At the Malcolm tournament Hannah went up to hit and her shoe fell off, but she continued to play!
Positive Vibes – Hannah, I’m so proud of all your accomplishments on and off the court. Your future is so bright, and I’m going to miss playing with you so much. I love you, and can’t wait to see what you all accomplish stud:)
Emily Restau, Head Coach
Best Volleyball Memory – Watching her succeed in the mental aspect of the game and grow in her leadership abilities – when Hannah was playing and ran out of her shoe during an approach, her dance moves during practice, breaking the school record in kills in a match, kills in a single season, and kills in a career, this includes breaking the 1,000 kill mark
Positive Vibes – Hank – I love your drive, work ethic, and love for the game of volleyball. You are always looking at ways to improve your skills, mental game, and leadership role. I commend you for your relentless efforts to make your team and self better. Thank you for being such a great role model for the youth of Milford. Congrats and keep working hard! Coach Restau
Avery Saltzman, 2022, DS
Best Volleyball Memory – She is constantly making us laugh on and off the court, but she also knows when to take things seriously and build the team up. I would say just playing with her in games and in practice, she has a fun spirit and knows how to make others feel good about themselves. I’d also say she is the player with the most driven mindset. She is always looking for ways to get better.
Positive Vibes – Congrats Hannah! You earned this the most! You have such a driven mindset and you are constantly looking for ways to get even better. I can’t wait to see all your accomplishments!
Hannah Schilz, 2023, Middle
Best Volleyball Memory – When Coach Restau gave her the nickname hank and me the nickname Hans because we have the same name. For the rest of the season that’s what she was called.
Positive Vibes – Congrats Hannah, you’ve made a lot of progress and you’re still going farther!
Megan Seibel, Assistant Coach
Best Volleyball Memory – She was my navigator when we went to team camp last summer, and I’m extremely directionally challenged, so it was a big job at times!
Positive Vibes – I’m so proud of you, Hannah! All of the work you’ve put in to make your volleyball skills better and be more mentally tough has made you an unforgettable player who I’m honored to work with every day of volleyball season.
Cameron Soester, Friend
Best Volleyball Memory – Every time Hannah takes the floor she is a fierce competitor, that has a team-first attitude. There are many favorite memories, but I am proud of the fact that she plays at the level she does and does so in a humble manner.
Positive Vibes – Hannah, this is well deserved. You are a great player and an even better person. You make MHS a better place because you are an Eagle!
Savannah Spahr, 2022, Middle
Best Volleyball Memory – Playing next to her during our high school season and celebrating with her after winning our sub-district game
Positive Vibes – Congrats Hannah! I can’t wait for the next season with you!
Nevaeh Stauffer, 2020, Setter
Best Volleyball Memory – I remember at one of our morning conditioning practices before school, we were doing a defensive stance drill and we all heard this loud boom and there is Hannah flat on her butt after tripping over her shoe (and it wasn’t the first time)
Positive Vibes – I am so proud of all your hard work and I loved playing with you these past 3 seasons. I cannot wait to see where your senior year and collegiate career takes you!! love you Han💜
Marissa Walker, 2022, Middle
Best Volleyball Memory – When I watched her play against another great player, and she was on fire! Couldn’t get a bad hit.
Positive Vibes – CONGRATS HANNAH! We are so proud of you! You deserve this!
Ashlynn Zegers, 2022, DS
Best Volleyball Memory – When we did these dance moves in practice and Hannah could not do them
Positive Vibes – Congratulations Hannah you deserved it!
Prep Dig strives for the readers to get to know the players and teams. These young ladies are amazing in their work ethic, leadership, and just being great kids.