Top Performers from the Pius X Invite

Another day, another tournament! Saturday’s stop was Lincoln Pius X High School. The Thunderbolts hosted six teams who slugged it out in two separate pools. After a day of intense play, I’ve got the scoop on who stole the spotlight! Here’s a big list of talented players who knew how to make an impression.   [player_tooltip player_id="59201" first="Grace" last="Heaney"] - 6’1 RS - Elkhorn North - Class of 2023 It’s going to fun to watch the buildup of this Elkhorn North volleyball program. Indeed, the high school itself just recently finished construction. Amid these unusual circumstances, the Wolves can look to Heaney to elevate this new team. She’s a long, natural lefty opposite who can hammer it from any pin. The 2023 class has a lot of elite prospects, and she’s one of them. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> First in the main gym is <a href="https://x.com/PiusXtra?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PiusXtra</a> and <a href="https://x.com/elknorth_vb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elknorth_vb</a>! Here’s 2023 RS [player_tooltip player_id="59201" first="Grace" last="Heaney"] with the kill for the Wolves! <a href="https://t.co/vgqEgwwBjM">pic.x.com/vgqEgwwBjM</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1309848846353211393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   [player_tooltip player_id="109593" first="Reese" last="Booth"] - 5’7 S - Elkhorn North - Class of 2024 Booth is a freshman with the skill and potential to lead this Elkhorn North team for the next several years. Her pin-to-pin distribution was strong throughout the tournament, and she was able to keep her back row hitters involved in the offense. Starting freshman setters are rare, but it’s clear why Booth is out there.   [player_tooltip player_id="110228" first="Sydney" last="Gubbels"] - 5’10 RS - Lincoln Pius X - Class of 2021 Gubbels has gotten plenty of reps on the right pin for the Thunderbolts. She excelled at her role. Her elevation and fluid swings were competitive against the many solid blocks at the event. It’s a deep bench of pin hitters for this Pius team, and Gubbels is one who makes the most of her time on the court.   [player_tooltip player_id="82608" first="Leah" last="Mach"] - 5’11 OH - Lincoln Pius X - Class of 2021 Speaking of depth at pin hitter for Pius, Mach became the primary scoring option on the left side for Pius. She combined her effective scoring with some solid passing in the backcourt, too. I’ve seen the Thunderbolts run a variety of offensive lineups this year, but it’s clear Mach belongs on the floor. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Great performance from [player_tooltip player_id="82608" first="Leah" last="Mach"] at the OH spot for <a href="https://x.com/PiusXtra?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PiusXtra</a> today. She gets the kill on the left side here. <a href="https://t.co/3gskZLS3yb">pic.x.com/3gskZLS3yb</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1309881688223371266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   [player_tooltip player_id="82592" first="Mollie" last="Fee"] - 5’11 OH/MB - Millard North - Class of 2021 Fee’s swings just sounded different on Saturday. She brought some serious heat on the left and was a fixture on that high-powered Mustang offense. Don’t lose track of this team that has some amazing young talent.   [player_tooltip player_id="103095" first="Alanna" last="Bankston"] - 6’0 MB/OH - Millard North - Class of 2023 Bankston showed out yet again. She’s had some big moments as a pin hitter this season, but she was primarily a middle at the event. Her athleticism allows her to do pretty much anything because she hangs in the air so well. Bankston’s dominance is only getting started.   [player_tooltip player_id="58800" first="Taylor" last="Bunjer"] - 5’10 OH - Elkhorn - Class of 2022 Bunjer took some incredibly assertive swings on Saturday. On a roster that already has two college-bound hitters, it was Bunjer who took much of the spotlight. The Antlers rallied around this junior early and often en route to a championship performance. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Junior OH [player_tooltip player_id="58800" first="Taylor" last="Bunjer"] continues to impress for the Antlers! <a href="https://x.com/ElkhornAntlerVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ElkhornAntlerVB</a> <a href="https://t.co/sqZFqhTIGX">pic.x.com/sqZFqhTIGX</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1309867856323059717?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   [player_tooltip player_id="58772" first="Sydney" last="Raszler"] - 6’0 MB - Elkhorn - Class of 2022 That’s a lot of talk about Elkhorn’s outside hitters, but what about those middles? Raszler has an impressive ability to impact her team in so many ways. She anchored a stifling Antler block and put up some nasty serves from behind the line. Raszler’s presence helps make Elkhorn one of the most balanced and efficient offenses in the state.   [player_tooltip player_id="82625" first="Sidney" last="Hauptman"] - 6’0 OH/RS - Gretna - Class of 2021 Gretna has some big arms on the outside, and it all starts with Hauptman. She can generate some power on either pin, and I especially like how she approaches up-tempo sets. The Dragons are still adjusting to a new lineup after last year’s title appearance, but Hauptman has consistently put together some nice matches.   [player_tooltip player_id="88298" first="Hailey" last="Zimmerman"] - 5’9 MB - Gretna - Class of 2022 Zimmerman is just a really fun player. She’s the flashy slide hitter for the Dragons that uses her quickness to frustrate opposing wing blockers. Her attack off of two feet is also tough to stop, so good luck trying to defend this middle blocker.   [player_tooltip player_id="11326" first="Molly" last="Ramsey"] - 5’4 L - Norris - Class of 2021 (Kansas State Commit) Ramsey is the unsung hero on a Norris team that undoubtedly has a lot of front-row talent. Any good offense is set up by the first contact, though, and Ramsey is always there to drop dimes in serve receive. She makes the tough plays look so easy and casual. Her value to this elite team cannot be overlooked.   [player_tooltip player_id="105001" first="Alivia" last="Hausmann"] - 5’5 DS - Norris - Class of 2024 Another defensive specialist who holds down the steady backcourt for Norris, Hausmann came up with several big digs that helped lift her team to the title match. Time after time, this gritty freshman delivered perfect passes to her setter. These defenders need to get some credit for the extraordinarily efficient offense that Norris puts on the court.