6 Stock Risers that could make the difference for their teams

2019 Ashland-Greenwood team. Photo contributed. The rankings process can be like going on a major treasure hunt and other times finding something you’d least expect. The Prep Dig writers continually find up and coming players that can make a huge difference to their teams’ success. Progress is continuously being made with continued training, position changes, comebacks from injury, and athletes putting in the time to hone their skills. For the Class of 2021, here are some athletes who are popping up on the radar and rising in the rankings. ASHLAND-GREENWOOD As Ashland-Greenwood steps up to Class B this season, a core group of seniors includes many players from our rankings - Saige Craven, Alexis Edmisten, Carly VonRentzell, and 2022’s [player_tooltip player_id="58812" first="Brynn" last="Glock"]. The play of seniors [player_tooltip player_id="103010" first="Jessica" last="Stander"] and [player_tooltip player_id="103011" first="Layne" last="Whaley"] may be what it takes for the Bluejays to reach the next level. And therefore, are on our watch list! ⇒[player_tooltip player_id="103010" first="Jessica" last="Stander"] | 5’10 | OH | Sunset West Awards: All-Conference Honorable Mention (2018, 2019) 2019 Stats: Kills/Set, Total, Hitting Percentage: 1.9, 287, .287 Blocks Total: 62 Coaches Comments: Jess is going to be a big threat for us this year and will be a great teammate to have on the court. Jess is the player you can count on that she is going to give 100% for her teammates. ⇒[player_tooltip player_id="103011" first="Layne" last="Whaley"] | 5’8 | OH/DS | Nebraska Elite Awards: Academic All-State (2018,2019) 2019 Stats: Digs/Set, Total: 2.7, 240 Receptions/Set, Total: 2.6, 234 As one of Whaley’s goals this season is to make it to State during their senior year, she has seen multiple positions over the years. “My high school volleyball experience has been a crazy ride. I started out on reserve freshman year, as a libero. After our first scrimmage, I was moved to JV as a libero. Halfway through the season, I became a DS on varsity. I worked very hard to earn my spot on varsity. Sophomore summer, I had a dramatic growth spurt and was made an outside player. Ever since then, I have started as an outside hitter on varsity. I grew greatly as a player throughout high school volleyball and learned a lot through this process.” As Layne was used as a libero/DS during club season, high school Coach Megan Rossell comments, “Layne is a great teammate and is a super strong back-row player but did some good things for us in the front row also. Looking forward to her showing her stuff.” With the current situation, Layne has sent highlight reels to college coaches and taken part in virtual tours. She is uncommitted and interested! <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12369772/Layne-Whaley">LAYNE WHALEY HUDL HIGHTLIGHTS</a>   <hr /> LINCOLN LUTHERAN As the reigning Class C-1 champions, Lincoln Lutheran looks to replace some BIG shoes in 2020. With 2021 5’10 MH Abi Wohlgemuth, 2022’s 5’10 S/RS [player_tooltip player_id="82215" first="Ashlyn" last="DeBoer"], 5’4 L [player_tooltip player_id="82463" first="Raegan" last="Holle"], 6’ MH [player_tooltip player_id="82465" first="Molli" last="Martin"], and 5’6 [player_tooltip player_id="82464" first="Hannah" last="Kile"] already in our rankings, look for 2021’s [player_tooltip player_id="103041" first="Addi" last="Ernstmeyer"] and [player_tooltip player_id="103042" first="Mara" last="Otte"], (Spoilier Alerts!) 2022 Shenae Bergt, and 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="59212" first="Abby" last="Wachal"] add additional depth. And, don’t forget Lutheran opponents will find a big block in 6’4 junior transfer Katelynn Oxley. Katelynn comes from Lincoln East and played in the Nebraska Juniors program (<a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14100922/Katelynn-Oxley">HUDL Highlights</a>). ⇒[player_tooltip player_id="103041" first="Addi" last="Ernstmeyer"] | 2021 | 5’9" OH Player Summary and Outlook: Played a backup role as OH last season Addi’s comments: “When I started High School volleyball as a freshmen, I was previously a middle with some experience with setting. The coaches thought that outside would be a better fit for me and I’ve played that position ever since.” ⇒[player_tooltip player_id="103042" first="Mara" last="Otte"] | 2021 | 5’8" S | Nebraska ONE 17 Lime | UNCOMMITTED AND INTERESTED <a href="http://www.hudl.com/profile/13257285">HUDL Highlights </a>Player Summary and Outlook: Should fill the other setter role in a 6-2 Mara’s comments: “It will definitely have a different vibe without some of our seniors, but most of us already have a strong connection. I don’t think it will be hard to include new players this year, we all just need to have the same mindset.” ⇒[player_tooltip player_id="103113" first="Shanae" last="Bergt"] | 2022 | 5’8" OH/RS Player Summary and Outlook: Played a backup role as RS/DS last season “We have a talented group of girls and I am looking forward to the season. We did lose a strong group of seniors from last years team, so I was looking forward to summer ball in order to get our chemistry established prior to the season starting. I have played a number of positions which I have been able to learn a lot from. This year I will focus more on outside/right side hitter.” ⇒[player_tooltip player_id="59212" first="Abby" last="Wachal"] | 2023 | 5’10" OH | VCN 15 Elite | UNCOMMITTED AND INTERESTED Player Summary and Outlook: Started as OH2, over 200 kills 2019 Stats: Kills/Set, Total, Hitting Percentage: 2.8, 198, .227 Abby comments, “I think the communication is great most of the time, being new on the court as of last year I thought the communication was very good and as a team we were/are able to adapt to the situation and players to put our best foot forward.”