6 Players From Show Me Qualifier Ready For a Breakout
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Teams that are attending qualifiers during this time of year are just hitting their mid-season with Nationals as their endgame. Last weekend I was able to take the trip down to Kansas City and see a lot of teams from…
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Continue ReadingTeams that are attending qualifiers during this time of year are just hitting their mid-season with Nationals as their endgame. Last weekend I was able to take the trip down to Kansas City and see a lot of teams from Minnesota compete. Here are some names that I believe will be prime contenders to break onto the scene and many coach’s radars in the next few months.
Beck caught my eye with her ability to create really clean angles as she was passing. As an attacker she used all the tools in her arsenal from hitting deep cross corner of high hands, roll short or a mean cutshot. She could do it all. Beck’s squad was in a high intensity match and she stayed so calm and steady. Every team needs at least one player like her.
Northern Lights 16-Black ran an offense you don’t see very often where one setter sets out of the backrow and the other setter sets out of the front row. I, for one, enjoy when coaches get creative. In this case, Connell was setting out of the front row and her connection with Greta Tompkins Greta Tompkins 6’1″ | MB Prior Lake | 2025 State MN was fire! Connell was solid and I can’t wait to see how she develops over the next couple years. This particular team was really scrappy and had the size making them really dangerous.
Rubio was the other half of Northern Lights 16-Black’s setting duo. I really liked Rubio’s movement to the ball because she had really quick footwork. She does a great job with tight passes. Rubio doesn’t give up on the play and has a way of making something happen after you think the only option left is a freeball.
Bridget Budzius Bridget Budzius 5'5" | OH Mound Westonka | 2026 State MN
Bridget Budzius Bridget Budzius 5'5" | OH Mound Westonka | 2026 State MN
I found Budzius competing with MN Selecet’s 15-2s team and she may be smaller but she does a really nice job working off the opposing team’s block. I had a lot of fun watching her because I love seeing a player rock out like her. She is young, fearless, and aggressive and I think she is one to keep an eye on.
Johnson had just enough hang time that always seem to help her get the kill. She could get that ball to right over the block just as it’s coming down making it really tough on defenders. Johnson has good placement and a lot of potential. Playing with the Northern Lights 15-2 squad she put her in a really good position with some great experience heading into the high school season.
I love watching a gritty defensive player and Keaveny was making it happen last weekend. She had great hustle to take care of the deep corners and create great angles as she was passing whether she was running through a ball or in serve receive. Keaveny is her varsity teams libero and is gaining invaluable experience that should help Mayer Lutheran make another run for the X in the fall.