Top 10: Northland Area Outsides

<p>  Past the hustle of the metro, volleyball is growing in the north. We have seen the quality of play grow with club programs, strong records and state particpants.  Here are our top 10 hitters who will be taking the court in 2020 up north (in no particular order.)</p> <table class="table" style="width: 100%; height: 94px;"> <tbody> <tr class="primary" style="height: 94px;"> <td class="player" style="width: 14.6162%; height: 94px;"> <p><strong>McKenna Coughlin</strong></p> <p>2021</p> </td> <td class="metrics" style="width: 3.15462%; height: 94px;">5’9"</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 10.9358%; height: 94px;"> <p>Ely</p> </td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 71.1883%; height: 94px;"> <p>Coughlin is an agressive hitter who was an key contributor for Ely’s 18-3 record before they lost in playoffs to Carlton in 4 sets.  During the offseason she plays with <em>MN North 17-1</em>.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <table class="table" style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr class="primary"> <td class="player" style="width: 14.4299%;"> <p><a href="https://www.ncsasports.org/womens-volleyball-recruiting/wisconsin/washburn/washburn-high-school3/caitlin-wheeler2"><strong>Caitlyn Wheeler</strong></a></p> <p>2021</p> </td> <td class="metrics" style="width: 5.65081%;">5’11"</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 10.6963%;">Washburn</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 69.223%;">Her big approach starts well behind the 10 foot line gaining momentum with each step to help her powerful hits to the deep corners.  Her energy is as explosive as her attacking style.  Wheeler played up on the <em>MN North 18-1</em>’s team.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="table" style="width: 100%; height: 94px;"> <tbody> <tr class="primary" style="height: 94px;"> <td class="player" style="width: 14.6162%; height: 94px;"> <p><strong>Destiny Hering</strong></p> <p>2022</p> </td> <td class="metrics" style="width: 3.15462%; height: 94px;">5’7"</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 10.9358%; height: 94px;"> <p>Superior</p> </td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 71.1883%; height: 94px;"> <p>Hering is a young, talented player who’s strength is her passing.  She is great on serve receive helping her team to stay in system.  Likewise, her defensive skills are top notch.  Quick transitions matched with her ability to read the hitter’s shoulder, help her get in near-perfect position.</p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="table" style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr class="primary"> <td class="player" style="width: 14.4299%;"> <p><strong>Clarie Walsh</strong></p> <p>2021</p> </td> <td class="metrics" style="width: 5.65081%;">5’11’’</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 10.6963%;">Grand Rapids</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 69.223%;">With her long reach, she contacts the ball higher than most in the Iron Range conference.  Time spent playing at MN North has helped her develop into an all-around dominant player.  A strong desire to continue playing after her senior year, she has compiled a handful of<a href="https://www.ncsasports.org/womens-volleyball-recruiting/minnesota/grand-rapids/grand-rapids-senior-high-school1/claire-walsh3"> highlight tapes</a>, proving she has what it takes.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="table" style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr class="primary"> <td class="player" style="width: 14.4299%;"> <h3 class="clearfix"><strong><span class="playerName " style="font-size: 12pt;">[player_tooltip player_id="58104" first="Claire" last="Vekich"]</span></strong></h3> <p>2021</p> </td> <td class="metrics" style="width: 5.65081%;">5’10’’</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 10.6963%;">Greenway</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 69.223%;">Argueably one of the best prospects in the Northland, Vekich is a compelling player who makes big plays happen.  She put forth a foreful effort at the state tournament where she averaged 24 kills/match.  We anticipate she will have another chance at the state title again this coming season.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p> <table class="table" style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr class="primary"> <td class="player" style="width: 14.4299%;"> <p><strong>Bri Miller</strong></p> <p>2022</p> </td> <td class="metrics" style="width: 5.65081%;">5’9’’</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 10.6963%;">Greenway</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 69.223%;">A rising star, who saw good minutes last season and will be needed to fill a starting position this year.  She relys on speed: fast footwork and fast arm-speed.  Miller is a smart, cautious player who makes few mistakes.</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table class="table" style="width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr class="primary"> <td class="player" style="width: 14.4299%;">Up and coming All-stars:</td> <td style="width: 68.8194%;"> <ul> <li> <h3 class="clearfix"><strong><span class="playerName " style="font-size: 12pt;">Taia Grishaber </span></strong>- <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Virginia; 2022</span></h3> </li> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="72820" first="Payton" last="Rodberg"]</strong> - Proctor; 2021</li> <li><strong>Alli Ahlers</strong> - Duluth Denfeld; 2021</li> <li><strong>Alli Ahlers</strong> - Chisholm; 2021</li> </ul> </td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 4.23822%;"> </td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 12.6135%;"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>