I Have 12 Scholarships – 2023’s I’d Offer Today
At the Division 1 level, teams get 12 full scholarships. They cannot be broken up into percentages (two athletes cannot receive a 50% scholarship). If I had 12 scholarships to give at a regional level (Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin),…
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Continue ReadingAt the Division 1 level, teams get 12 full scholarships. They cannot be broken up into percentages (two athletes cannot receive a 50% scholarship). If I had 12 scholarships to give at a regional level (Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin), here is who I would be offering from the pool of players still available from the Class of 2023.
To be completely transparent I’m choosing these four states because I have seen these athletes compete in high school and club. It’s not a snapshot, I feel like it’s a full body of work which college coaches would do, they don’t offer based on a snap shot. I also don’t know these athletes in regards to their academics, academic interest, or all the other intangibles when going to make an offer (I will always respect boundaries). I also am not aware of what these athletes have as far as offers on the table. They might be looking for something extremely specific academically, a certain part of the country, there are so many variables when making the decision at the next step.
Before we get fired up about this article, lets remember this is a hypothetical situation and I am not actually offering a scholarship. I am trying to continue to get names out there and for these athletes, they could make the decision tomorrow or they might just be starting their own recruiting journey.
*In no particular order
Outside Hitters/Pins
Kamryn Chaney of @RedHawkVB is full of power but goes with the change up to win set two for @RedHawkVB – we’re going to three! pic.twitter.com/clgmmpkaCF
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) October 2, 2021
Kamryn Chaney – Marist (IL) – 1st Alliance 17 Gold
I want an attacker who can hit the ball hard. When Chaney swings, it’s just different, sounds different, looks different, everything. Going back to my baseball roots, she’s the athlete who steps into the cage and its lasers everywhere along with power. I have seen her attack out of every front row spot and she finds a way to put a solid hand to ball contact to create a lot of pace, its a heavy ball. However, with as much power as she plays with she can sprinkle in a roll shot to really keep the defense on their toes.
Sylvie Zgonc – Sussex Hamilton (WI) – Milwaukee Sting 17 Gold
I’ve seen Zgonc rise through the ranks where her game has really elevated the past year where she’s gotten, taller stronger, and developed a really powerful, yet consistent all around game. She is a six rotation outside hitter who can ball control, but also hammer on the outside. She knows how to ues the block to her advantage as well as find the open spot on the other side of the net. She has a high ceiling for even more at the next level.
Huge fan of Kayla Knowles of CIA 17 Black and @CycloneDenver – super physical outside. Game continues to improve. Approaching with a purpose and jumping higher. 2023 pin pic.twitter.com/5cRcVitNtX
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) March 5, 2022
Kayla Knowles – Denver (IA) – CIA 17 Black
Knowles is a really physical attacker. She is jumping higher and hitting harder each time I see her play. She has evolved from the springing sophomore when I first saw her play to a an outside hitter who can mix in a variety of shots, but still blast through the split of a block or use the block to her advantage.
Kaitlyn Thick – Hinsdale Central (IL) – New Wave 17 Tsunami
I saw Thick play at the Northern Lights Qualifier in Omaha in May 2021 and she is building a lot of momentum this club season. She touches high and has a physicality to her that I think will really translate well to the college game. NEW Wave is an exciting team who is making “Waves” in the 17s world this season where they have some high level prospect. Thick also provides a big block and could be used on the right side as well.
Setters
Morgan Kealy – River Falls (WI) – Kokoro 17-1
Kealy knows how to run the show and she does it with all the intangibles a setter needs. She connects with her teammates, consistent with all facets of the game, and runs such a nice tempo. Kealy has been a winner on every team she plays on and has done it in a very quiet way. She’s not flashy or extremely offensive, but with her IQ, she knows how to take advantage with any weakness on the other side of the net. Kokoro is out of St. Paul, MN and they are coming off winning the JVA World Challenge 17 Premier Division.
Ava Blascziek – Lakeville North (MN) – Northern Lights 17-1
Blascziek is another setter who can command her team and is accustomed to playing at a high level. She can run a 5-1 where she is a presence in the front row with the ability to attack and block. She can also defend her own position and like most top notch setters out of the Twin Cities metro, is extremely well trained.
Setter/Utility
Madelyn Norton – Dike-New Hartford – Six Pack 17-1
I really like the style of Norton’s game. I’ve seen her play since her 15s year and have seen her be a right side or setter with a solid left handed swing which she can use in multiple ways. She is also a really consistent defender out of right back. She would be the perfect situational setter where she can turn and burn when needed or just to change up the serving look and set out of the backrow. She is a winner, she’s claimed two state titles the past two years in Iowa and even though coming from a small school, Dike-New Hartford has beaten some of the top teams in the Midwest.
Middle Blockers
2023 MB Maddy McGath of @stingvb1988 17 Gold looking really dangerous on the slide. Connecting well with @UNCVolleyball commit @behrendt_zoe
Sting starting to pull away in set three against Triangle to move to 2-0.
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) March 25, 2022
Maddy McGath – Brookfield East (WI) – Milwaukee Sting 17 Gold
I’ve seen McGath play plenty of times, but this past year she has added an element of speed to her game where she is so fast to get to the pin and block as well as run the slide to terminate. She had a busy fall where she qualified for state basketball for Brookfield East in Wisconsin’s largest class. The next weekend she was tearing it up at MEQ where the slide was definitely her bread and butter. She can hammer down the line or go sharp cross with that shot making it really tough to stop. Her all around athleticism is extremely exciting at the next level.
Gabby Deery – Burlington Notre Dame (IA) – Iowa Rockets 17R
Rockets had a HUGE weekend at Show Me where they were in Gold contention Sunday and lost a 5th place match to Mintonette to claim a bid. They will be eager to get back on the court at Windy City this upcoming weekend. Deery is extremely athletic and long where she can do a lot of different things along the front line. She is a middle blocker, but could play on the right side as well. She will offer a team at the next level plenty of options where she can block and terminate.
Sierra Pertzborn for @CapitalVbAll 17 adidas is a blocking MACHINE against Sting 17 Gold right now.
— PrepDigRachel (@prepdigrachel) March 19, 2022
Sierra Pertzborn – Middleton (WI) – Capital 17 Adidas
Piertzborn’s game has improved tremendously since her 16s year. She makes a great combination with setter, Andi Spies who is able to set her off the net for a quick tempo where Pertzborn finds a way to score. With her picking up momentum her Junior year makes me think her college career will be a place where she can flourish. She has all of the makings to be a major contributor the next couple seasons to finish her prep career and really make an impact at the next level.
Right Side
Ava Schubert – Davenport Assumption (IA) – Iowa Select 18 Mizuno
Schubert is one of the top all around athletes in the Iowa Class of 2023. She is a top 20 basketball prospect and is the top available prospect from Iowa’s Class of 2023. At 6’1, left handed, and a six rotation player, Schubert just knows how to get it done. She is a mismatch nightmare on the right side where she can plenty of shots and then goes to the backrow and can do the same. There is no relaxing on her because she is always a threat. This is rare for teams on the other side fo the net to see because she is so versatile in how she can get it done for her team.
DS/Libero
Vanessa Del Real – Crown Point (IN) – 1st Alliance 17 Gold
I may be cheating a little bit by bringing in an Indiana athlete into the mix (Crown Point is just across the border from Illinois), but Del Real plays for 1st Alliance 17 Gold which is out of Illinois. I love the style of Del Real because she plays it so cool on the court. She is such a solid combo with Northwestern commit Gigi Navarette who is also from 1st Alliance 17 Gold. Del Real is high level with her athleticism and range. She is accustomed to playing in big matches against the best talent in the country.