Six Key Players For Postseason Play
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The postseason and section play are well underway and we are hurtling towards the state tournament! We are in the thick of the postseason surge towards the state tournament. Be prepare because there is sure to be high intensity matches…
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Continue ReadingThe postseason and section play are well underway and we are hurtling towards the state tournament! We are in the thick of the postseason surge towards the state tournament. Be prepare because there is sure to be high intensity matches and a few upsets along the way. The following players will likely provide some key performances to keep their seasons going.
In their senior season the Balls are leading Nova Classical with a high powered offense. In their 2-1 win over Forest Lake Allison dished out 20 total assists while Samantha led the squad with 16 kills. The Nova Classical season has led to a bye in the 1st two rounds of their section play. Allison and Samantha were also top in digs for the team in the win. Nova Classical will certainly miss these two in 2023.
Carlson is gearing up for the section match-up with Morris Area/Chokio-Alberta on Friday. She is very effective as an attacker with both quick tempo and a first step tempo. Carlson transitions off the net well, makes herself available, and can take a fast swing that powers through the opposing block. She has solid footwork and gels with her setter, Kendra Gerhardson Kendra Gerhardson 5’11” | S New London-Spicer | 2024 MN in order to generate appropriate spacing that she needs in order to successfully swing around the block. Carlson can terminate with good location as an undersized middle by most standards.
The Sectional 1A #4-seeded Caledonia will take on Rochester Lourdes first for the playoffs. Koepke does a little bit of everything for her squad. She is a ruthless attacker and can score from different locations using different tempos. Koepke puts up a big block and knows how to fire up her team. She has good court vision and an awareness of what is on the other side of the net. Koepke has good ball control with her swing and can adjust the speed and path to move the ball around to select the exact spot she’s targeting. Even when she isn’t scoring points she is putting pressure on the opponent’s defense.
Czinano puts up a big block with a nice seal. Watertown Mayer’s seeding gives them the 1st two rounds off in their section. Their last match was a quick one where they took down Hutchinson in 3. Czinano leads her team with 50 blocks and has also contributed 147 kills while hitting a .331 hitting percentage. The junior middle blocker generates opportunities for herself with a quick transition off the net to make herself available. Czinano does a good job with spacing, gets off the floor quickly, and high contact point.
Johnson is an athletic lefty that takes a wicked swing on the right side for Class AA Belle Plaine. She has accumulated 218 kills as they get into Section play against Sibley East. Johnson’s personal efforts include a 213 assists, 30 aces, 197 digs, and 26 blocks. The sophomore pin has been one of the top all around performers for Belle Plaine. She is a quickly rising star and a challenging matchup for opposing defenders because of her athleticism and volleyball IQ. Johnson is just revving up a great high school career and looking to extend the MNVCA #8 ranked Belle Plaine’s season.