Round 2 with coaches insight, Middles Kroeker & Vonderschmidt; Pin Hitters Lauenstein & Waters
Nebraska High School 2020 Preseason Player to Watch Missing that March Madness…We are now into April and ROUND 2!!! Round 2 will focus on coaches’ comments and the team. Players that make it to Round 3, get your marketing hat…
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Continue ReadingNebraska High School 2020 Preseason Player to Watch
Missing that March Madness…We are now into April and ROUND 2!!! Round 2 will focus on coaches’ comments and the team. Players that make it to Round 3, get your marketing hat on and start thinking of a great slogan for your team and why!
As always, it takes an entire team to be successful, but check out our 2020 Pre-Season Player to Watch Bracket with 32 of the top players throughout the state of Nebraska!
April 2 Winners – Middle Alexis Markowski, 2021, Lincoln Pius X; Pin Hitter Hannah Kepler, 2021, Milford
Prep Dig – Pre Season Player to Watch Updated Bracket
Vote for these players on our Twitter site between 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 4.
ROUND 2
MIDDLES
Kalli Kroecker, Norris Vs Erison Vonderschmidt, Falls City Sacred Heart
⇒ KALLI KROECKER, 2021, Uncomitted, (#10 in team pictured above, photo contributed)
Comments from Coach Christina Boesiger:
Area Most Improved in 2019
In this high school season, Kalli developed into a 6 rotation player for us. From the beginning of the season to the end, her back row play improved a lot. Her and Maisie also had a very good connection on a dog tempo behind the setter. It was fast and pretty much unstoppable. Kal worked so hard as a middle blocker to transition off the net to be able to run that.
Volleyball technique
Kalli has a great fundamental volleyball base, and probably one of the very few middles in the state who can also play back row. Kal has a high volleyball IQ, and she applies that to all she does.
Work ethic or drive for volleyball
Kalli pushes herself at all she does. She is a very determined player and takes feedback very well. You can instantly see her trying to make the adjustment or correction on the next play. She trains at volleyball year-round while being involved in many other activities.
Role model on the team and in the community
Kalli is involved in so many different activities at Norris. She pretty much does it all, from singing to athletics. As a junior this year, Kalli did a great job of being a positive role model for everyone in our program. She was referred to as the “mom” on our team, always looking out for others and making sure everyone had a ride, a partner, etc.
Team Insight
We had a very close team this year and are really looking forward to the 2020 season. A handful of these girls played club when they were younger together, so they are very comfortable with each other. Our team is made up of some very competitive kids, with goals of being great, so I think that is awesome. They know how to push each other, but also have fun along the way.
⇒ ERISON VONDERSCHMIDT, 2022, Uncomitted
Comments from Coach Susan Witt:
Area Most Improved in 2019
Hitting efficiency
Volleyball technique
Erison is a very quick player and moves well to the ball. I feel she does a great job playing full rotation as her defense is just as good. Erison is left handed so I feel many would use her at the right side, but for us we needed her in the middle and she did great!
Work ethic or drive for volleyball
Erison has always loved volleyball. She works hard and always strives to do her best.
Role model on the team and in the community
Erison is more of a quiet leader as she leads by her work ethic. Erison also volunteers for several things in the community working with her school and classmates.
Team insight
Our team grew as the year went along. We had a very strong sophomore class this year with one junior and one senior starting. These girls have played many sports together and being in a small school they do almost everything together. This helps build team unity.
What else does your team excel in?
This group of girls usually make it to state in volleyball basketball, and track. This makes me feel that they are very driven and hard working athletes.
PIN HITTERS
Whitney Lauenstein Whitney Lauenstein 6'1" | OH Waverly | 2021 State NE , Waverly Vs Ella Waters Ella Waters 6'3" | OH Norris | 2022 State NE , Norris
2019 Waverly Team, Photo Contributed⇒ WHITNEY LAUENSTEIN, 2021, Committed to Nebraska
Comments from Coach Terry Neujahr:
Area Most Improved in 2019
Whitney had the goal of becoming a primary passer this past season, worked really hard on her footwork and technique in the off-season, and then met that goal. She also grew as an attacker adding several different shots to her arsenal. Perhaps the biggest way she grew, however, was the development of an elite mindset in her approach to volleyball. She had great gains in her composure and confidence, in particular.
Volleyball technique
Whitney is a very gifted athlete who has spent endless hours honing her technique in all areas of the game. She has transitioned from an average middle as a freshman, to an elite outside attacker in just two years. Her commitment to the process, and all that the process involves, has been amazing.
Work ethic or drive for volleyball
Whitney is the kid always in the gym and always asking questions. She really tries to outwork everyone in the gym because she has really big goals and dreams.
Role model on the team and in the community
Whitney serves as a role model on our team by bringing tons of energy to the team, encouraging and building up her teammates, and challenging everyone to be the best players and people they can be. Whitney has taken it upon herself to work with middle school and younger kids in the mornings before school, teaching volleyball and just playing with them. Whitney has held several jobs in our community and is very visible and approachable by the our community members and represents herself, our program, and our school in a very positive way.
Team insight
Our program and team culture are vital to the success of our program. Everyone is essential to our success and there is no one person who is more important than the team. As the players commit to this culture it helps us all to grow in so many different ways. I have seen more love, support of each other, friendship, and a tight bond of team grow in this environment, which makes working together towards the same goals such a joy to be a part of.
⇒ ELLA WATERS, 2022, Uncommitted (#13 in team pictured above, photo contributed)
Comments from Coach Christina Boesiger:
Area Most Improved in 2019
Ella showed great improvement on her ability to hit different shots throughout the 2019 season. Being 6’2 she definitely has a heigh advantage, but Ella improved her offensive game by being able to hit different areas of the court. She also worked on hard on improving her transition to be able to hit a fast ball to the pin
Volleyball technique
Ella is a very versatile front row player and can play across the net. Ella has spent a lot of time in the gym when she was younger and was able to watch many great Titan Volleyball players come through. Her and Maisie spent many hours together ball handling on the gym sidelines while their moms were coaching.
Work ethic or drive for volleyball
Ella works very hard when she is in the gym. Volleyball has really became a passion of hers over the last year or two. She wants to get better and improve on all areas of the game, and does a great job of being coachable.
Role model on the team and in the community
Ella is involved in 2 sports at Norris and other activities at Norris. She is an outgoing person and is looked up to by many younger Titans.
Team insight
We had a very close team this year and are really looking forward to the 2020 season. A handful of these girls played club when they were younger together, so they are very comfortable with each other. Our team is made up of some very competitive kids, with goals of being great, so I think that is awesome. They know how to push each other, but also have fun along the way.
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.