“Dear Prep Dig, I Need A…” – For Those Recruiting This Weekend
There are plenty of tournaments going on this weekend, all coaches are able to recruit, and there will be tournaments going on around the country where athletes will be competing against some new teams, coaches are looking for new athletes, and some athletes and coaches are looking to close out and hopefully get that verbal commitment. We know coaches and athletes are at various levels and everyone needs something different, so we’re bringing back something old with a “Dear Prep Dig” column where we talk about different recruiting needs coaches might be looking for this weekend.
Dear Prep Dig,
I’m heading to St. Louis for Presidents Day and I’m looking for an outside level that is Class of 2023. I’m set with my 2022’s, but I need a high impact attacker for my program out of the Class of 2023. Six rotations are preferred, but I need someone to score points.
From Prep Dig:
These are just a few of many names that you’ll see from the 17 Open level in St. Louis. Iowa Rockets 17R will have a really strong team led by South Dakota commit Avery Van Hook and Evansville commit, Chloe Cline. A dynamic athlete on the pin who can also defend is Jesse Julius. Her all around game is a big spark for her team. Another spark who plays with a ton of intensity is Katherine Lockwood for Milwaukee Sting 17 Black. Major point scorer, always has a lot of fire to her style of play and gets hyped for her teammates. Michio 17 National out of Chicago has two real solid pins. Delaney Grevengoed is long, athletic, and definitely the finesse type pin who will find multiple ways to score. Lauren Wallace is extremely explosive and can lay the hammer down. Two different styles, but highly effective pins. REV 17-1 Raptors out of Indianapolis will have a tough team and an outside with a big arm to watch is Gabby Gilbert.
Dear Prep Dig,
I’m looking for 2023s. This is going to be a big recruiting class for me, I’ll be heading to Kansas City and St. Louis. I am looking for some hidden gems. Who would be some 2023s that are the best overall players. I’m looking for a really high quality athlete who can contribute somehow in the gym I know the power pools will have plenty of coaches hovering, but I want to see if I can find the under the radar athlete before others do. Thoughts?
From Prep Dig:
If you’re heading to Kansas City, there will be plenty of athletes in the Power Pools that will have plenty of eyes on them so I would head to some other pools to checkout some other top athletes. A setter who plays for Kokoro out of MN and high school in Wisconsin is Morgan Kealy. She’s long (5’11), athletic, and extremely smooth with a high IQ, she was a big class All State setter in Wisconsin – major upside. Makya Clayton is a really explosive pin from PVA which is a local KC team, she is flat out electric.
In St. Louis, Iowa Select 17 Mizuno has had a strong start to their season and have a middle who is really on the rise in Isabelle Van De Wielle who is going one to watch as well as pin hitter Caylee Brandes. Circle City has plenty of big name on their Purple team, but their Black and White teams are full of athletes who can play at the next level. However, I would take a strong look at 6’4 middle blocker Ella Chapman of Circle City 17 Purple. Capital Volleyball Academy out of Madison, WI will be in 17 Open and have a lot of high quality, high character athletes from the Class of 2023. Take note of middle blocker Sierra Pertzborn, outside Jordan LaScala, and libero Amelia Albers.
Dear Prep Dig,
I need a 2024 setter, she needs intangibles where she can lead. I would even like it if she could be a little bit offensive as well. That always helps. They need a major presence on the court and I need a high level gamechanger.
From Prep Dig:
High level gamechanger, I can work with that. These 2024s are hungry and eager to get to play in front of college coaches of all levels this season. Two that come to mind that I have seen play live a handful of times are Lilly Wagner of MKE Sting 16 Gold. She just won a state title in Wisconsin’s large class and has such a solid connection with her attackers. She is also a major presence at the net with her block. I don’t see her attack very often because her attackers are so good, but if it’s there she will throw it down. Stella Swenson of MN Select 17-1 is playing up an age group. She also won a title in Minnesota’s largest class. She is high level with size, athleticism, and some finesse to her game.
Some other setters out of this class that I think are big time gamers would be Janelle Green (KC Power), Abby Yoder (NKYVC), Allie Shondell (Boilers 16 Gold), Emerson Van Lannen (FC Elite), and Jenna Meitzler (Sky High), One setter you don’t want to lose track of is another Circle City athlete who is a 2024 setting for their Circle City 18 Purple squad in Mia Lloyd. She is gritty and knows how to play at a high level. She will be playing in St. Louis.
Dear Prep Dig,
I need to start identifying the top 2025 players. Yes, that seems like years from now, but we our program wants to start tagging them so we can get them on our radar. This will be our first chance to see these athletes. Give me the best and I’ll go from there.
From Prep Dig:
Bring it on. We are still identifying 2025 talent as well. The season is still young. There is actually quite a bit of 2025 talent playing up an age level or two. Here are some I have seen live so far this season and can vouch for their performance.
Madison Quest of MKE Sting 16 Gold plays well beyond the maturity of a 15 year old. She is a really strong and physical athlete on the outside where she can defend and serve receive as well. Her IQ is up there where she knows how to look through the net and find the open spot. She can see which way the defense is adjusting and hit the opposite way. Annabelle Groomes of AVC CLE 16 Red is a 2025 playing up as well where she is a point scoring setter when she can jump and swing, putting a ton of pressure on the side of the net. Staying with setters and ones who can score, Campbell Flynn of Legacy 15-1 is going to be high level. She’s 6’2, extremely smooth with great hands. On Rockwood Thunder 16 Elite, there is Maya Witherspoon who is 5’11, but is a pure scorer from any front row position. Rockwood Thunder 16 Elite will be in the mix this weekend with their overall versatility and balance. Witherspoon is one they go to when they need points.
Some other athletes I know are high level, but haven’t seen live for a while or only through video starts with Abigail Mullen of Dynasty 16 where she has already won a national title with this group and will be looking to be the hometown team who can bring home a Triple Crown title. Another setter to keep tabs out of Florida who plays for Tribe 15 Elite Dean. She is extremely dynamic and very offensive when she can turn and burn with the left hand.