Unsigned ’24s Who Medaled in the 3A and 2A Championships
In the State Championships for 2A and 3A, there were many athletes who brought their all to come home with more than just the experience of playing down at the Redbird Arena. Following their high school seasons and heading into…
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Continue ReadingIn the State Championships for 2A and 3A, there were many athletes who brought their all to come home with more than just the experience of playing down at the Redbird Arena. Following their high school seasons and heading into their club seasons, there are many more unsigned athletes in the 2024 graduating class who are still looking for their right college fit. Here are four uncommitted 2024s you’ll want to follow into club season after their successful finish at the state tournament:
Jessica Horn (Setter)- Joliet Catholic High School
Following in her older sister’s footsteps, Jessica Horn has taken over the offense for Joliet Catholic Academy this season trusting her athletic ability and running a 5-1 with nothing but success. In her first season running the offense on her own, she certainly took ahold of the opportunity and did not look back. Tallying 905 assists in this season alone, Horn’s growing and impressive volleyball IQ can be credited to her dedication out of the gym when watching film to constantly study ways to run the most efficient offense possible. In the back row, she takes defense seriously and keeps plays alive when given the opportunity, which brought her defensive stats this season to a total of 138 digs. Behind the service line, she contributed 38 aces this season with her aggressive float serve. Horn is a 5’10” setter who moves well throughout the court at every opportunity she gets to make a play on the ball.
Lucy Russ (Setter)- IC Catholic Prep
Lucy has been a phenomenal competitor all season and has been highlighted multiple times for the lengths she will go to help her team be successful. Just finishing her second season running the offense for ICCP, Russ was only 34 assists away from tallying 1,500 assists in her two seasons on varsity. While her great technique and finish on her sets kept the team in system, she worked hard in the back row as a defender, understanding the importance of her involvement to keep the ball alive, in doing so, she picked up 237 digs this season. On defense, she doesn’t hesitate to make plays on hard swings that are coming her way which is what helps her team put a lot of trust in her ability to run the court. This season while she relied on her hitters to put the balls away, she didn’t shy away from adding to the offense herself, putting away 107 kills and behind the service line, added 50 aces this season. Finishing second in the state is a huge accomplishment, Russ also took home a number of accolades in her junior season, such as making the MSC Blue Division All-Conference team, The Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area team, IVCA Second Team All-State, and IVCA State Finals All-Tournament team.
Alysa Lawton (Libero)- IC Catholic Prep
Alysa Lawton covered the court with nothing but confidence and discipline for ICCP this season, helping guide them to the state finals. Lawton finished the season with 314 digs this season bringing her career total to 617 digs following her junior season in the jersey. With 617 career digs, she has officially broken into the top ten in career digs in IC program history, and will certainly work her way higher in her senior season. Lawton has a great read on defenders and has the mentality that there isn’t a ball she can’t make a play on. Nothing is out of her reach and she does a great job showing that on the court in both defense and serve receive. Throughout the season, Alysa’s confidence has grown every time she stepped on the court which was exciting to follow. Lawton also added 50 assists and 20 service aces this season, getting the job done in each aspect of the game. Alysa brought home many accolades as well this season, being named to the MSC Blue Division All-Conference Team, The Daily Herald DuPage County Honorable Mention All-Area team, IVCA Honorable Mention All-State, and IVCA Academic All-State team.
Anna Paquette Anna Paquette 5'6" | DS/L St. Francis | 2024 IL (Defensive Specialist/Libero)- St. Francis
Anna Paquette Anna Paquette 5'6" | DS/L St. Francis | 2024 IL took on a different role this high school season that she might not have played during her club season, but that didn’t stop her from using her athleticism to guide St. Francis to a State Championship. As a 5’6″ outside hitter for St. Francis, Paquette played 6 rotations and used her comfortable experience as a defender to execute as an all-around player for St. Francis. She has a great natural read on hitters which is what makes her back-court defense so strong, but assisted in her front-row IQ as a hitter, putting away 207 kills this season. Averaging 2.1 kills per set, she used shots and great hand contact to find parts of the court that beat other teams’ defenses. In the back row, she racked up 247 digs on the season with her discipline as a defender and understanding of her job when she was back there. Second on the team for digs per set, averaging 2.5, she competed for the team every chance she touched the ball. Behind the service line, her strong float serves that can get on passers fast, brought her to 39 aces on the season. She is a player you won’t want to miss this club season as her defensive athleticism will certainly be on display.