On our Radar: Ravens Invitational Standouts
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We named @PrepDigMarshall‘s All-Tournament team in our previous post from the Ravens Invitational. Here are some players who caught our eyes who stood out for their respective teams. Emma Kolich Emma Kolich 5'10" | OH St. James Academy | 2023…
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Continue ReadingWe named @PrepDigMarshall‘s All-Tournament team in our previous post from the Ravens Invitational. Here are some players who caught our eyes who stood out for their respective teams.
Emma Kolich Emma Kolich 5'10" | OH St. James Academy | 2023 State KS – OH/OPP – 2023 – St. James
Kolich was utilized as an outside/opposite depending on who was on lineup rotation on the court. She provided some solid hitting on both pins with her signature whipping arm. She’s strong on the right side blocking before transitioning to the outside when her setter comes in to the front row.
Bella Stubbs – S – 2023 – St. James
Stubbs was setting in a 5-1 system for St James in some earlier matches and she delivered consistent sets to her hitters. She was not shy on defensive end in hitting the floor as she got a pancake for the Thunder in a match against Shawnee Heights.
Emmy Sher Emmy Sher 5'8" | DS/L Olathe Northwest | 2024 State KS – Libero – 2024 – Olathe Northwest
The backline is reserved for Emmy Sher Emmy Sher 5'8" | DS/L Olathe Northwest | 2024 State KS as the Ravens libero. Sher provided some solid passing in serve receive as the Ravens’ primary passer. Often times I wondered if opponents just want to test her passing ability as she received the most serves on the day. She has a great base and made sure that her center of gravity is always below the ball when passing to control her angle platform.
Addisen Horn – Setter – 2024 – Olathe Northwest
The southpaw setter shared the 6-2 setting responsibilities with Jillian Huckabey Jillian Huckabey 6'0" | OH Olathe Northwest | 2024 State #74 Nation KS (who made the all-tournament team recognition). Horn jump float serve kept opponents on their toes for passing. Setting wise, she’s quick to the ball to get stopped and balanced before the set. Horn is quick to release on the out-of-system balls and do a one-legged semi jump-set. This keeps her body vertical to ensure she has the power and control to set the ball.
Alex Klukvin Alex Klukvin 5'7" | DS/L Olathe Northwest | 2025 State KS – DS – 2025 – Olathe Northwest
Klukvin’s role as defensive specialist does not come lightly. She comes in first to serve for Caroline Clayton Caroline Clayton 5'9" | OH Olathe South | 2025 State KS and boy her serves were coming hot and heavy for opponent’s passers. She had some aces on the day with a few rolled off the top of the tape. Her defensive awareness is one of the best on the team as she chased down balls that most thought as unplayable. She did have a great hustle play that would’ve made a highlight reel if the ball did not hit the ceiling apparatus.
Elise Curry – Setter – 2023 – Shawnee Heights
I feel like Curry did not get as much recognition on her performance at the tournament. Curry runs a 5-1 offense for the Thunderbirds and she has a great tempo to push the balls to the pins. She likes to spread the love on offense and changing up her sets. Curry’s good on reversing the flow on some sets to the right-side hitter when the ball was passed to the 3/4 zone.
I love the separation of courts at Olathe Northwest in the main gym and auxiliary gym to create a safer playing area for teams. I briefly talked to Olathe Northwest’s Head Coach Barry Lenth that his team actually prefers the aux gym due to the size and atmosphere during game days.
Did we miss someone we should be aware of? Please email PrepDigMarshall@gmail.com or Twitter @PrepDigMarshall with your inquiries!