20 Athletes From 2023 To Recruit At MEQ
This is one of the biggest tournaments of the year – it’s March Madness volleyball style. Teams are looking to punch their ticket to nationals and college coaches are looking for future athletes to join their program this weekend at…
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Continue ReadingThis is one of the biggest tournaments of the year – it’s March Madness volleyball style. Teams are looking to punch their ticket to nationals and college coaches are looking for future athletes to join their program this weekend at the MidEast Qualifier in Indianapolis. Here are 20 athletes listed that will be playing in all the 17s and some 18s divisions that are still available. Some will be looking to close out the process while others may be on the rise and really finding their stride as a volleyball player. I’ll be providing live updates from Indy all weekend. Follow @PrepDigChris on Twitter to check in on the weekend.
Ava Schabes – 1st Alliance 17 Silver
Setter
Schabes runs the show for 1st Alliance 17 Silver where she is a pure quarterback. She knows how to command the court and can put the ball where her attackers can terminate. I’ve seen Schabes the past two years since she was at the Prep Dig Summer Showcase. A solid defender and high IQ player, she will be key for the success of 17 Silver this weekend.
Avery Hobson – Academy 17 E Tsunami
OH/OPP
Hobson has come on strong this club season where prior she was a bit of a hidden gem. This will be a big weekend for Hobson and her Tsunami teammates where they have tacked on some big wins this season. She is accustomed to high level volleyball year round between high school and club. With a high contact point and heavy arm she is a point scorer at the next level.
Lauren Janosy – AVC CLE Rox 17 Red
OH
The 6’0 outside hitter for AVC is a key six rotation contributor for this squad. On the pin she can take what the defense gives her going down the line or a sharp cross. When in doubt, she knows how to use the hands high off the block. Another athlete on this team to watch is Laney Klika who commands the backrow, Anticipates well and is really active with her hands. AVC is the 13th overall seed and could be a sleeper this weekend.
Rowan Schreiber – VC United 171 Elite
MB/OPP
Schreiber is a Wisconsin prep playing for VC United out of Rockford, IL. This is a really physical and athletic group that has some big time athletes out of the Class of 2023. Schreiber is 6’4 and has played out of the middle and right side. Her upside is really high where her game has really improved this club season. Her length really has a presence in the front row and is a force with her block.
More names before 8:00ish from @BadgerRegionVB Qualifier in the 16s
Mya Trifficante – Midwest Penguins
Finley Charapata – @FCEliteVB
Jacqueline Yancy – @FCEliteVB
Rylee Duessler – @stingvb1988
Lillian Bandle – I AM VBC— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) February 28, 2021
Finley Charapata – FC Elite 17 Navy
OH
FC Elite comes out of the Appleton, WI area and has plenty of athletes who are going to contribute at the next level. Charapata is a hidden gem where she puts a hurt on the ball. She is not afraid to go for the big approach and really swing it. Her game has really come along with a team who has solid chemistry and connections with setters Rachel Koss and Alex Kreutzmann.
Lily Dudley – MAVS KC 17-1
OH
MAVS already punched their ticket to the Open Division at USAV back in January at the Northern Lights Qualifier in Omaha. They were also an elite eight finisher at Triple Crown. They are extremely disciplined with their defense and serve receive which allows them to run a fast tempo offense. One who can hit a quick tempo set on the outside is Lily Dudley, she is a 6’0 outside hitter who knows have to hit spots all over the court and brings such a high IQ to her team.
Peyton Mast – NKYVC 17-1 Tsunami
OPP
Leftys are always fun to have that add a different element to the court, especially when they are dynamic like Peyton Mast. Mast is a left handed right side who can swing from multiple spots in the front row. She’s got a swing that scores, it’s heavy and she can throw in a mix of shots that are finesse as well. She plays for Notre Dame Academy which is always a top program in Kentucky. NKYVC is one of those sneaky teams who have the weapons to score and hang with the top programs.
Ava Schubert – Iowa Select 18 Mizuno
OPP
Schubert is one of the top athletes in the Class of 2023 in Iowa. She’s one of the top prospects out of the Class of 2023 for volleyball and basketball. Another lefty from the right side, Schubert is a six rotation threat for Iowa Select out of the Quad Cities. She can pass our of serve receive and attack out of right back. This 18 Mizuno squad is really strong and athletic, they will be competing in the 18 Open division this weekend.
Lauren Wallace – Michio 18 National
OH
Wallace is a high powered scorer for Michio 18 National. I was able to see Wallace play this past high school season for her Munster, Indiana squad. A high flying pin, she has a crazy upside to her game where she can sky to score. She is one who the other side needs to be aware of, she makes a lot of plays out of nothing and if she can score out of system it makes Michio tough to stop.
Mehlayna Straub – Northern Lights 17-1
MB
Straub is jumpy. The middle out of the Twin Cities in Minnesota is a quick leaper and can provide plenty of hang time as a middle blocker. She can really get on top of the ball and thump it on the ten foot line or find a deep corner to score points. There is still a lot of growth left in her game to really blossom at the next level. She’s an exciting athlete that will be fun to see this weekend as well as the rest of the season.
Mila Petkovic – Epic United 17 Elite
MB
Petkovic is another fast twitch middle who works hard to be available to swing and score in transition. She is an aggressive attacker where she can hang and find her spot on where to put the ball. She utilizes the deep corners, but can also throw and tip effectively to score points.
Carizma Muth – Madtown Juniors 171 National
Outside Hitter
Madtown Juniors is a new club out of the Madison, WI area and are building some great teams in their first year. Carizma Muth is a six rotation outside hitter who can really swing it and has been a key player at the high school and club level. Some other athletes on this team who are really impactful would be setter Jenna Pistono, and Magdalene Hartwig who is a very physical middle. This could be a team who can make a run in the USA Division.
Rachel Rossing – MKE Sting 17 Black
Setter
Rossing is the real deal, she can run the show and does it with great footwork and smooth hands. Her court presence with how she can connect with teammates is strong and can put the set on the money when she is pulled off the net. She is accustomed to winning coming from a strong high school program in Lake Country Lutheran outside of Milwaukee and can fit in as a setter in multiple systems.
Alexis Kammerer – VC United 172 Elite
Setter
Kammerer is another Wisconsin prep who heads down to Rockford, IL to train and compete with VC United. This 2023 setter is extremely well rounded and fundamentally sound. She’s not going to be the physically offensive setter at the net, but she will get all of her hitters involved, play solid defense, and has command of the court.
Iowa City West middle blocker Sophia Deyak has had no problem getting involved in team drills. pic.twitter.com/YcrRinCUbG
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) December 4, 2021
Sophia Deyak – Adrenaline 18 Brooke (IA)
Middle Blocker
Deyak comes from Iowa City West High School and has a major upside. I actually saw Deyak live for the first time at the Central College team camp in Pella, Iowa last summer and knew she was one who had to be on the radar. At 6’3, athletic, and long – Deyak definitely has the presence in the middle and could even see a future at the next level on the right side. She’s one to tag in UA and definitely follow up. She is new on the radar, but is one coaches at the next level need to be looking at.
Ella Meyer – Six Pack
Libero
Meyer is another Iowa prep out of Western Dubuque who is coming off a state title for the Bobcats. A really athletic, scrappy libero, she knows how to play at a high level and above all – she just wins. Her intangibles are tough to measure, but with her athleticism and platform control she can be a really solid addition to the gym. She brings an intensity every team needs on the court.
Margo Hernandez – REV 17-1 Raptors
Setter
Watching Hernandez at Central Zone was a treat, she brings a lot of energy to the court and adds a spark. This REV team is dangerous with how scrappy they are with a few arms who can really terminate. Hernandez can get her hands to the ball in a scramble situation, but is also money when she is in system to find the right hitter in the right situation. This is a court where college coaches will be eyeing and they will have a chance to rise against some of the top teams in the country.
Kaia Caffee – MN Select 17-1
MB
MN Select 17-1 is going to be a major threat this weekend where they are continuing to improve this season. They have some big names on this squad and they are starting to gel. Caffee is extremely physical as a middle blocker where she’s touching extremely high (10’5 according to her HUDL video) and she’s quick. Her athleticism is really impressive. She can run the quick tempo in front and behind the setter and is dangerous on the slide.
Sawyer Thomsen – KC Power 17-1
MB/OPP
KC Power has their eyes on an open bid with a team full of future Division 1 athletes. Thomsen will have plenty of options at the next level with how she can do so many things along the front line. She is really dynamic and can be used from the outside, middle, or right. She is really tough to defend when she can attack off of one foot. Combine her with KC Power setter and Texas commit, Ella Swindle and it will be a tough combo to stop.
Ava Smith – Circle City 17 Purple
Outside Hitter
Chloe Chicoine definitely provides a lot of headlines for this Circle City team, but there are a lot of weapons on this team. Smith is an outside hitter who is so electric. She has a great approach and solid hand contact where she can go to plenty of open spots on the court. What I feel is really impressive is how she can attack and score out of system. Every pin at the Open level can score when its in system on a single block, but Thomas is able to do something when it isn’t perfect for her which adds so much value to any team.