Impact Pin Hitters at the ASICS Challenge

<p>For those anticipating a feature on the dominant outside hitters at the ASICS Challenge, we've got you covered.</p>   <p>Firepower on the pins was plentiful in last weekend's Chicago tournament, and it was an extraordinary opportunity to add more names to my radar. Multi-state high school tournaments like the ASICS Challenge are not common, so the chance to see new faces made this trip worthwhile.</p>   <p>I've got to share a few of my notes from this one, of course, so let's chat about some pin hitters.</p>   <p></p>   <p><strong>Go Blue!</strong></p>   <p>There's good news if you're a fan of the Michigan Wolverines: two of the six-rotation outside hitters selected to the ASICS Challenge all-tournament team will soon wear the Maize and Blue.</p>   <p>We documented [player_tooltip player_id='135954' first='Ellie' last='White']'s dominant presence for Mother McAuley before the ASICS Challenge even started. Her all-around attacking prowess dazzled us in the pre-tournament meeting between the Mighty Macs and Assumption. It's fair to say that success carried into the weekend's action, and White helped the home team push toward a well-earned ASICS Challenge championship. Impactful outside hitters just know how to win.</p>   <p>The other Wolverine to know here is a player I've been fortunate enough to watch for a while. Skutt Catholic senior [player_tooltip player_id='59194' first='Morgan' last='Burke'] has evolved so much over her prep career, and last weekend's tournament showing was just another addition to her list of accomplishments. While Burke spends most of her club days as a setter, she thrives as the leading attacker for the seven-time defending state champs. Her unique attacking patterns out of the back row make Burke difficult to defend, as she doesn't always hit a pipe right down the middle. It's eerily similar to the schemes run by current and former Wolverines like Jess Mruzik, Paige Jones, and Carly Skjodt. Burke is primed to succeed at any role she takes on at the next level.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1576268061388115969?s=20&t=AOlJi0ZHnJvJvL3LL7K0Qw </div></figure>   <p></p>   <p><strong>The List Keeps Growing</strong></p>   <p>You know our conversation is just getting started.</p>   <p>In the realm of impactful attackers, you can't exclude Notre Dame Academy's [player_tooltip player_id='106678' first='Sydney' last='Nolan']. The North Carolina commit's range was nearly unparalleled in Chicago last weekend, and a lot of that has to do with Nolan's ability to simply attack right over the block. Her six-foot-three frame could be an asset on the outside or in the middle for UNC, so I'm excited to watch Nolan's career progression.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1576331966965694464?s=20&t=AOlJi0ZHnJvJvL3LL7K0Qw </div></figure>   <p>As expected, [player_tooltip player_id='107417' first='Charlotte' last='Moriarty'] took a high volume of swings for Assumption throughout the weekend. She clearly doesn't mind having this big role, either, as her effort and effectiveness do not waver over the course of a match. Moriarty's ball control skills are also a strength, but you wouldn't expect anything less from a Rockets outside hitter, right?</p>   <p>Marist, another talent-rich volleyball program, has plenty of its own hitting talent to lean on. The Redhawk offense is centered around Princeton commit [player_tooltip player_id='138649' first='Kamryn' last='Chaney'], who is fresh off a GJNC national championship with 1st Alliance. This decorated senior isn't Marist's only go-to option, though, as sophomore Bella Bullington produced some standout moments against Chicago's toughest competitors.</p>   <p>We haven't paid a visit to the Wisconsin squads yet, so let's do that now. Divine Savior Holy Angels has a particularly impressive frontcourt lineup that will be worth following throughout the fall. Sophomore phenom [player_tooltip player_id='178033' first='Madison' last='Quest'] has already made waves during her club stint with Milwaukee Sting, and saw a bit of that same dominance on the high school side with the Dashers. And, when Quest wasn't the one doing most of the scoring, junior pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='122569' first='Sophia' last='Wendlick'] was always around to take over matches herself.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1576239269563502593?s=20&t=bwGXtpuZOtrjr_PZvzS6Mg </div></figure>   <p>The depth of Wisconsin's talent at this position was apparent. Future college basketball athlete [player_tooltip player_id='91875' first='Grace' last='Grocholski'] was the cornerstone of Kettle Moraine's physical offense. Likewise, [player_tooltip player_id='178029' first='Emma' last='Koceja'] provided some impressive length and power as a reliable left-side hitter for Brookfield Central. And, for more rising underclassmen, keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='178038' first='Eva' last='Finnessy'] on Hamilton's right pin.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1576228353899536387?s=20&t=bwGXtpuZOtrjr_PZvzS6Mg </div></figure>   <p>Even with all this great depth and regional representation, it's impossible to ignore the core of leaders from right down the street in Illinois. In addition to White and Chaney, the Land of Lincoln put frontcourt talent on display from every corner of the ASICS Challenge bracket. <strong>Jennifer Buehler</strong> demonstrated her skills well with Downers Grove North, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='135959' first='Morgan' last='Jones']</strong> was an ever-present scoring threat for Huntley. St. Charles East brought the heat, too, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='138660' first='Kate' last='Goudreau']</strong> establishing herself as the leading scorer for the Saints.</p>   <p>What a group.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1575992045755240448?s=20&t=bwGXtpuZOtrjr_PZvzS6Mg </div></figure>   <p></p>

For those anticipating a feature on the dominant outside hitters at the ASICS Challenge, we've got you covered.