Inside information on Players to Watch that you didn’t see before, Part 1 of 2
Missing the bracket? Waking up in the morning wondering who to vote for next? Well, read the full interviews of players that were in the 2nd and 3rd rounds that you did not get to see before. Information too good…
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Continue ReadingMissing the bracket? Waking up in the morning wondering who to vote for next? Well, read the full interviews of players that were in the 2nd and 3rd rounds that you did not get to see before. Information too good not to share. From team mottos to scouting tips, read on!
Part 1 of 2
[player_tooltip player_id="58775" first="Estella" last="Zatechka"], Elkhorn South. Photo contributed.⇒ Estella Zatechka Estella Zatechka 5'8" | DS/L Elkhorn South | 2022 State #54 Nation NE , 2022, Elkhorn South, Libero, Uncommitted
Workouts
I have been doing an X-Edge lifting workout at my house four times a week. I have been doing two virtual practices two times a week assigned by my club coach, along with a position training once a week too. We also are reading a book as a club team and discussing it together, along with watching film of ourselves too. I have High school workouts to do assigned by my coach for upcoming conditioning.
Goals
Some individual goals for me are to grow as a player in my Libero role. I want to be the starting Libero for next season along with being a captain too. An overall goal for our team is to win state and also be back to back champs and win the Metro Conference tournament again.
Volleyball Memories
My most memorable volleyball moment was making it to the state championship my freshman year and starting in that state game. Even though we lost it was a super special moment that I will never forget. Another memorable moment was in club volleyball winning back to back championships at the Colorado Crossroads tournament.
Since you were a freshman…
It was a really great learning process for me because as a freshman I got to learn from a senior libero and play D.S. My sophomore year I put into action everything I learned and I earned the Libero position. As a freshman, it was very different because I had to learn from the upperclassmen and make sure I’m doing what they want. I did switch positions from a Defensive specialist to Libero so it has been a great experience and my hard work is paying off.
How do you scout a team?
To scout another team I like to look at if they run a fast offense? If they run a 5-1 or a 6-2? Who are there strongest hitters? Who are there weakest? Who is there go-to hitter? Who are their best and worst passers? Who are there best and worst servers? What shots do the hitters like to hit the most? As a Libero, I like to scout the defensive side of what the other team is doing for example what defense they are in? Where do they go on defense?
College Aspirations
I have visited/attended camps at Iowa State, K State, Creighton, Nebraska, and UNO. I was planning to return to Iowa State and K State again for their upcoming camps. I have also been invited and planning to attend camps at Notre Dame, Mizzou, and KU. I am also keeping in touch with WVU, Marquette, Rutgers, Oklahoma, Indiana, San Diego, and Arizona State. I would like to major in either Business or Health Care. I am looking for a school that has solid academic support for athletes and a supportive family-like community. I have a brother who is one year older and also going through the recruiting process for football, so we both have similar goals to become collegiate athletes.
Volleyball Mentors
Shannon Smolinski, Sarah Hughbanks, and my parents
Team Motto
All in, All the time
I chose this because I want my team to work hard and get better at every practice and everything we do. When we are all giving 100% all the time our hard work will pay off.
Erison Vonderschmidt, Falls City Sacred Heart, Photo contributed.
⇒ Erison Vonderschmidt, 2022, Falls City Sacred Heart, Hitter, Uncommitted
Workouts
Club vball, weights, basketball
Goals
Make it to state; get to the finals; keep improving; improve stats; make Mudecas/Pioneer conference first team; make all-state
Volleyball Memories
Qualifying for state as a freshman and sophomore
Since you were a freshman…
I feel like I greatly improved from my freshman year to last volleyball season as a Soph. Not only did I grow physically on the sport, but mentally as well.
How do you scout a team?
Watch film and look for the biggest threat
College Aspirations
I haven’t narrowed that down yet but would like to visit 4-5 schools. I am interested in Astronomy or Fashion.
Volleyball Mentors
Kerri Walsh Jennings, April Ross, Lauren Stivrins
Team Motto
F.E.A.R. – Face Everything And Rise
This was a theme my older brother lived by. He passed away, and I try and follow this saying to honor him.
Note – Erison’s brother Easton passed away the summer of 2017 in a car accident at the age of 16.
Allie Gray, Omaha Skutt, Photo Contributed
⇒ Allie Gray, 2021, Omaha Skutt Catholic, Setter, Arizona State
Workout
I’ve been doing a lot of non-volleyball training. Getting stronger at home with workouts and running at the track to improve speed and agility. Also doing wall work and footwork in my garage. I’m big on separating myself from others with my mental game so I’ve been watching a lot of film and doing mindful exercises to get in the flow state (a state of optimal performance) as much as possible
Goals
As an individual, I want to lead my team to be one of the best teams in the nation. This comes from being my best day in and day out to hold my teammates to high standards so we can accomplish some special things. I think with all the work I’ve put in through the offseason and the effort I put in through practice will all lead me to accomplish individual goals of all-state honors and possibly setting school records. Another priority is preparing for college so I can be best prepared for that experience. As a team number 1 goal is always winning state and hopefully becoming a top 10 ranked national team.
Volleyball Memories
Most memorable moment would be playing in the AAU national championship with my club team when I was 15
Since you were a freshman…
I never switched positions but I did have to understand the importance of every role on a team from a practice player to a starting outside hitter. I’ve always kept an open mind, and throughout it all, I always remembered to grow a little bit better each day and to always compete with my teammates to make them better
How do you scout a team?
I always watch how they interact with other people. Yes, they may be a star 6’2 setter, but how do they make the people around them stand out more than themselves. How are they putting the people around them in the best position possible.
College Aspirations
I’ve already committed to Arizona State, but the big thing that stood out to me when narrowing down schools was the conversations I had with the coaches about their visions for the program and how they connect now with their athletes and staff. I’m looking to pursue sports performance and performance psychology.
Mentors
Since the first time I can remember, Lauren Carlini has been a huge influence for me without even ever meeting her.
Motto
Stay humble, stay hungry
As a 3-time state champ, I think a lot of people expect us to back down at some point and approach the season as if it’s another year, but with every year that we win, we take our standards to a new level and challenge ourselves more than ever before. At the start of every season, we put ourselves back down at the bottom of the list as the underdogs to remind us that nothing is given.
[player_tooltip player_id="37546" first="Maisie" last="Boesiger"], Norris.
⇒ Maisie Boesiger Maisie Boesiger 5'5" | S Norris | 2022 State #198 Nation NE , 2022, Norris, Setter, Uncommitted
Workouts
I play club volleyball for Premier 16 gold and train with Xplosive Edge in Omaha. I also train with Gwen Egbert as much as possible. Off the court, I like to watch film of myself and also of other great setters and liberos. With this quarantine, I am trying to still get a lot of touches. I have a setting board in my garage, and we set up a volleyball net in our backyard so my mom works with me a lot. We have had some fun 2 on 2 games of family volleyball.
Goals
This fall our team wants to win a State Championship. We know it is a big task ahead of us, but we are going to work hard to give ourselves a chance to do that. We also want to repeat as EMC Champions. Norris has won in 2019, 2018, and 2017. We want to keep that streak going.
Volleyball Memories
My most memorable high school moment was in the EMC finals this year and we were down to Waverly and came back with a huge win. I loved the competitive atmosphere. I will also never forget the atmosphere at the state tournament this year when we played Skutt. It was so fun to play with all of the Norris community there.
Since you were a freshman…
When I was a freshman, I ran a 6-2 with Michaela Boon. She was a great role model for me. She was such a great player and person. I loved learning from her. In my sophomore year I transitioned into running a 5-1 for my team. I haven’t switched positions, but I am being recruited as a setter and libero. I have enjoyed training as both. Ever since I was little my mom has always told me, you need to be able to pass, set, serve tough, and have good ball control.
How do you scout a team?
I like to watch film and see what their tendencies are. I also like to see where other teams score on them and to understand their defense to tell my hitters what they have open.
College Aspirations
I have had the opportunity to attend Nebraska Dream Team Camp for the past 2 years. Other schools I have visited/went to camps at are Colorado, University of San Diego, Colorado State, Loyola Marymount, Louisville, UC Santa Barbara, Creighton, UNO, and Wyoming. I have quite a few other camps/campuses I am planning on attending this summer. I want a school that has a strong academic program. I have a few majors that I am considering, but still not for sure.
Mentor
Lauren Cook is a player that I loved watching when I was growing up. I have had great coaches that have pushed me to be a better player. I love playing for my mom. We have a special relationship. Gwen Egbert has been a great 1 on 1 coach for me. She really focuses on the details, which I love. Last year, I played club volleyball for Shannon Smolinski and I loved her intensity and energy. She really pushed me to a better player mentally and physically.
Alexis Markowski, Pius X, photo contributed
⇒ Alexis Markowski, 2021, Lincoln Pius X
Workout
I have worked out every day during this quarantine. I have gone on runs, weight lifted, biked, and have done some plyo work. I have also done some footwork drills and have peppered with my sisters.
Goals
Some goals the team wants to accomplish are to be competitive in every drill, practice, and game. In hopes of winning a district championship, making it to the state tournament, and hopefully playing in the championship game. Some goals that I have for myself include becoming more of a vocal leader and bringing the best out of each of my teammates every day.
Volleyball Memories
My most memorable volleyball moment would definitely be the Nebraska State volleyball tournament.
Since you were a freshman…
My Freshman year, I sat out the entire volleyball and basketball seasons with a foot injury. It taught me a lot about myself and the sport of volleyball. I learned that every day is not always given to you and to leave everything out on the court because it could be your last. I have always been a middle but, I am open to playing any position I am asked to play.
How do you scout a team?
We watch a lot of hudl on our opponents. I personally watch each hitter’s tendencies and what their favorite attack is.
College Aspirations
I am committed to South Dakota State University to continue my academic and basketball career. I have hopes of becoming a PA in orthopedics or a Physical Therapist.
Team Motto
Stay Resilient
Last year this was a word that we used a lot and I feel that it fits our team perfectly.
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.