Prep Dig Battle in the Valley: Day 1 GameChangers
In this article:
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Here is my list of players from the 17/18s division who changed the game for their teams in the Day 1 play:
Setters:
Paige Bosetski Paige Bosetski 5'8" | S De Pere | 2023 State WI – 2023 – 5’8 – De Pere – One Wisconsin Bay 18 Mizuno
Bosetski is super athletic and knows how to feed her hitters. She can move the ball fast, as well as throw it up and let them show off their athleticism as well. Bosetski also showed the ability to run a 5-1 and puts up a good block.
Kara Sowinski
Kara
Sowinski
5'4" | S
Three Lakes | 2022
WI
– 2022 – 5’2 – Three Lakes – NW Stars 18 Black – Committed to St. Norbert’s
Sowinski is like a little stick of dynamite, and she always seems to make the big play when needed. She is incredibly gritty on defense given her versatility. Sowinski is a vocal leader and has a really high volleyball IQ.
@KaraSowinski sets up @viterbovhawks Casey Frankland
Casey Frankland 5'10" | OH Marshfield | 2022 State WI for the 💥#PDBattleInTheValley @PrepDigChris @prepdigrachel @PrepDig @PrepDigEvents @PrepDigWI pic.x.com/S15DuE8De0
— Breit Nelson (@BreitNelson) April 30, 2022
Right Side Hitters:
Madison Daley
Madison
Daley
5'11" | RS
Xavier | 2025
State
WI
-2025 – 5’11 – Xavier – FC Elite 16 White
This is not the first time I’ve seen Daley come up big for her team. She took big swing after big swing in tense situations against much older and more experience players, and she consistently found the deep corners for the point. Daley also puts up a block that makes opposing hitters nervousl.
Sophia Schneider
Sophia
Schneider
5'10" | S
Waterloo | 2023
State
WI
-2023-5’10-Waterloo – FC Elite 17 White – Committed to Lander
Schneider just recently announced her commitment to Lander on the east coast who know they are getting a versatile player that is 100% clutch. Tight match and you need that big kill? Set Schneider and she will blast the line. Defense, setter, or blocking, she can do those too!
So many clutch plays happening today! Including this one by Lander commit @sophiaschne1der in a tight 3-set match with NW Stars.#PDBattleInTheValley @PrepDigChris @prepdigrachel @PrepDig @PrepDigEvents @PrepDigWI pic.x.com/8H67AsX3b2
— Breit Nelson (@BreitNelson) April 30, 2022
Outside Hitters:
Estelle Harsh
Estelle
Harsh
5'10" | OH
De La Salle | 2022
MN
– 2022 – 5’10 – De La Salle – Impact 18-Black (MN) – Committed to Occidental College
Rowell is a really scrappy defender, and interestingly, that was the first thing that caught my attention about her. The longer I watched, the more I realized she is an explosive attacker. Rowell elevates and has a really high contact point and even faster swing.
Rachel Kerhin
Rachel
Kerhin
OH
Green Bay Southwest | 2022
State
WI
– 2022 – 5’9 – Green Bay Southwest – One Wisconsin Bay 18 Mizuno
Kerhin hits high off the top of the blockers and then transitions to puts up a strong block. She also hits a nice cut shot and has really smart placement. Kerhin is also sound in serve-receive and defense.
Samantha Kempinger
Samantha
Kempinger
5'10" | OH
Fox Valley Lutheran | 2023
State
WI
– 2023 – 5’10 – Fox Valley Lutheran – Impact 17 National
Kempinger hits a nice line exactly when her team needed it. She is solid in serve-receive and smooth in transition. Kempinger is a high level attacker with a high volleyball IQ and a variety of shots to execute.
Middle Blockers:
Violet Hackbarth
Violet
Hackbarth
6'0" | MB
St. Paul Central | 2022
MN
– 2022 – 6’0 – St. Paul Central – Impact 18-Black (MN)
Hackbarth takes a really heavy swing, and when she gets on top of the ball, she is lethal. She naturally lets the set lead her but can also work the opposite angle and is ready to swing in transition. Hackbarth moves well laterally and does a good job closing the block.
Olivia Neumann
Olivia
Neumann
6'3" | MB
Xavier | 2024
State
WI
– 2024 – 6’2 – Xavier – FC Elite 16 White
Neumann is quick thinking at the net, and she knows how to make a big play to energize her team. She presents a huge block and dynamic as she takes a big swing. She reads the court well and knows when to anticipate and when to react.
Hello…. Neumann. @FCEliteVB 16 White’s Olivia Neumann
— Breit Nelson (@BreitNelson) April 30, 2022
Mari Szews Mari Szews 6'0" | MB Three Lakes | 2022 WI – 2022 – 6’0 -Three Lakes – NW Stars 18 Black – Committed to St. Norbert
Szews is a powerhouse from the north. No, not Canada, but close. She powers through most blockers or gets on top of the ball and hits hard angles. Szews works hard in transition and can move well laterally at the net to shut down the opposing attack from entering her air space.
Liberos:
Kendra Winker
Kendra
Winker
OH
State
WI
– Xtreme 17 Adidas
Winker is very consistent in serve-receive and solid on defense. She handles high level serves and makes smart reads on the opposing side of the net. Winker has a high volleyball IQ, good communication, and quick feet.
Laurin Hamann
Laurin
Hamann
5'8" | DS/L
Manitowoc Lincoln | 2024
State
WI
-2024-5’7-Manitowoc Lincoln – FC Elite 16 White
Hamann can serve-receive about 75% of the court and is quick on her feet. She has a strong serve that puts pressure on the opposing team and is very aggressive on defense while making smart moves and reactions. Hamann has the confidence to lead a defense, make tactical adjustments, or guide her attackers to a kill while providing direct coverage.
