Gritty Athletes Who Impressed at the Sizzle

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As a scout, coach, and player, one of my favorite buzz words is grit. Gritty athletes are fun to watch because they find a way to get the job done. No matter the score, no matter the play, they are giving their all at every moment. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These are some gritty athletes who played in the Sizzle! </span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Olivia Sullivan - Notre Dame - Class of 2022 - Outside Hitter</span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Olivia was a huge presence at the Sizzle for Notre Dame. She has a great snap on the ball and a clean platform. What makes her gritty is her ability to execute in out of system plays. She has a toolbox of shots that she utilizes to manufacture kills. Olivia also has an aggressive serve which earns points for her team. </span></p> [caption id="attachment_149704" align="alignleft" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-149704" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/8B97F527-9B2E-463E-A3BE-9B8BA2D0256B-150x150.jpeg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: Prep Dig[/caption] <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="148861" first="Sarah" last="Beyer"] - Appleton East - Class of 2023 - Setter</span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sarah was a new name for me and one that was impressive from the start. She was fast yet had great control and was running the court from the first point. Sarah was a leader on this team and utilized her experience as an athlete to make smart plays and better the ball. </span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gabrielle Reiser - Berlin - Class of 2022 - Setter/Right Side</span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gabrielle was a setter and right side for this Berlin team. She had huge communication on the court and was a big energizer in all six rotations. Gabrielle has a great view of the court and utilizes that to make smart decisions as a setter and execute out of the front. </span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="122497" first="Olivia" last="Baierl"] - Howards Grove - Class of 2024 - Outside Hitter</span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Olivia is a trained libero but played outside for Howards Grove in both the JV and varsity Sizzle. Watching her play, you would never know she was one of the youngest on the court. She has a high volleyball IQ, sees opponents well, and executes on both in and out of system balls. Her training as a libero was a huge asset as an outside. </span></p> <p>https://x.com/breitnelson/status/1415440600556580865?s=21</p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Olivia Bartels - Lakeside Lutheran - Class of 2023 - Setter</span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Olivia was another newer name to me. She has a great energy about her and is super effective as a setter. Just her presence on the court set her apart as a leader for this team. She runs a smooth offense and will better any ball that is given to her. </span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="81333" first="Stella" last="Zarling"] - Kettle Moraine Lutheran - Class of 2022 - Outside Hitter </span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stella is such a great all around athlete. She is willing to do just about anything to earn points for her team. She is incredibly strong defensively and has an explosive approach. Stella can manufacture kills in the front and back row and is a go to hitter for this team. </span></p> <p>https://x.com/prepdigrachel/status/1415397723679887360?s=21</p> [caption id="attachment_149705" align="alignright" width="150"]<img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-149705" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/07/827B2045-DADF-433E-A3BF-9BB4725C22C2-150x150.jpeg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /> Photo: Prep Dig[/caption] <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="148972" first="Halle" last="Runez"] - Deforest - Class of 2022 - Libero </span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Halle was a fierce defender for this talented Deforest team. There are some great athletes on this team and she definitely stood out as one of them. She is aggressive in the back row and very scrappy. Halle gets great touches on balls and is highly competitive.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Other gritty athletes to know: </span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Samantha Pelberg - Chippewa Falls - Class of 2023 - Outside Hitter </span></h3> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="149603" first="Alexis" last="Jonas"] - Mosinee - Class of 2023 - Setter </span></h3> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="35805" first="Katie" last="Gund"] - Pewaukee - Class of 2022 - Setter</span></h3> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">[player_tooltip player_id="118261" first="Ellie" last="Kline"] - Holmen- Class of 2022 - Libero </span></h3> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id="117337" first="Alia" last="Schlimgen"] - Sauk Prairie - Class of 2022 - Libero </h3>