5 Sophomore Standouts Putting their Schools on the Map

<p>The class of 2023 boast a lot of rising stars.  A majority of the ranked players are from the metro including top programs like Wayzata, Chaska and Lakeville; however, there are a lot athletes in the mix that are helping their school’s programs grow.</p> <table class="table" style="width: 100%; height: 466px;"> <tbody> <tr class="primary" style="height: 98px;"> <td class="rank" style="width: 6.35721%; height: 98px;">9</td> <td class="player" style="width: 23.0071%; height: 98px;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="86643" first="Annika" last="Veurink"]</strong></td> <td class="metrics" style="width: 14.5308%; height: 98px;">6’1’’ / MH</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 21.1907%; height: 98px;">SW Christian</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 31.5842%; height: 98px;">Annika is a versatile player who is often used in the middle and on the left.  She helped her high school team to a conference championship in 2019.  During club she played on a tall MNL 15-1.</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 2.92634%; height: 98px;"> </td> <td class="player-expand expand " style="width: 1.00908%; height: 98px;"> </td> </tr> <tr class="primary" style="height: 153px;"> <td class="rank" style="width: 6.35721%; height: 153px;">31</td> <td class="player" style="width: 23.0071%; height: 153px;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="92774" first="Jessica" last="Much"]</strong></td> <td class="metrics" style="width: 14.5308%; height: 153px;">5’4’’ / DS</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 21.1907%; height: 153px;">Aitkin</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 31.5842%; height: 153px;">A rising star in the Great River conference, Much is a fantastic passer especially on serve receive.  Look for her and classmates to guide Aitkin to the top half of the conference.</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 2.92634%; height: 153px;"> </td> <td class="player-expand expand " style="width: 1.00908%; height: 153px;"> </td> </tr> <tr class="primary" style="height: 43px;"> <td class="rank" style="width: 6.35721%; height: 43px;">37</td> <td class="player" style="width: 23.0071%; height: 43px;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="73468" first="Arianna" last="Blohm"]</strong></td> <td class="metrics" style="width: 14.5308%; height: 43px;">5’11’’ / MH</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 21.1907%; height: 43px;">Stewartville</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 31.5842%; height: 43px;">The Tigers haven’t tapped into the endless potential of Blohm yet.  She is an skilled blocker equipped with height, strength and impeccable timing.  Blohm has battled through injury in the past but is ready to get back to her blocking!</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 2.92634%; height: 43px;"> </td> <td class="player-expand expand " style="width: 1.00908%; height: 43px;"> </td> </tr> <tr class="primary" style="height: 98px;"> <td class="rank" style="width: 6.35721%; height: 98px;">41</td> <td class="player" style="width: 23.0071%; height: 98px;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="73480" first="Maggie" last="Lile"]</strong></td> <td class="metrics" style="width: 14.5308%; height: 98px;">5’5’’ / DS</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 21.1907%; height: 98px;">Spring Grove</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 31.5842%; height: 98px;">A talented spark of energy in the back court, Lile is a physical player who has rose to the ranks after coming to SMV this past club season.</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 2.92634%; height: 43px;"> </td> <td class="player-expand expand " style="width: 1.00908%; height: 43px;"> </td> </tr> <tr class="primary" style="height: 153px;"> <td class="rank" style="width: 6.35721%; height: 153px;">44</td> <td class="player" style="width: 23.0071%; height: 153px;"><strong>Payton Howie</strong></td> <td class="metrics" style="width: 14.5308%; height: 153px;">6’ / MH</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 21.1907%; height: 153px;">Irondale</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 31.5842%; height: 153px;">Howie led her team in 2019 in the front row for Irondale.  She was even named All-conference.  With her aggressive style of play, it can be hard to believe she is only a sophomore.  She has put in lots of work to improve each aspect of her game.</td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 2.92634%; height: 43px;"> </td> <td class="player-expand expand " style="width: 1.00908%; height: 43px;"> </td> </tr> <tr class="primary" style="height: 43px;"> <td class="rank" style="width: 6.35721%; height: 43px;"> </td> <td class="player" style="width: 23.0071%; height: 43px;"> </td> <td class="metrics" style="width: 14.5308%; height: 43px;"> </td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 21.1907%; height: 43px;"> </td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 31.5842%; height: 43px;"> </td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 2.92634%; height: 43px;"> </td> <td class="player-expand expand " style="width: 1.00908%; height: 43px;"> </td> </tr> <tr class="primary" style="height: 43px;"> <td class="rank" style="width: 6.35721%; height: 43px;"> </td> <td class="player" style="width: 23.0071%; height: 43px;"> </td> <td class="metrics" style="width: 14.5308%; height: 43px;"> </td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 21.1907%; height: 43px;"> </td> <td class="desktop-only" style="width: 31.5842%; height: 43px;"> </td> <td style="width: 2.92634%;"> </td> <td style="width: 1.00908%;"> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>There are a handful of other 2023 athletes who have been prepping for a breakout.<span style="font-size: 1rem;">  They are bigger, faster, and eager for a chance to play.</span></p>