2024 Newcomers – Stepping Up Into The Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Seniors are embarking on their final season and some are even stepping into big roles for their final year. Some players have been on our watchlist and after we've gotten to see them in action a little more we felt comfortable ranking them among their peers. Let's check out some of these newcomers to the 2024 rankings!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["221973"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Untiedt is one of those border kids that goes to school in Heron Lake-Okabena (MN) and competes with Kairos Elite out of Sioux Falls (SD).  She does a great job of reading the ball off the servers hand and making the correct first step to the ball.  Untiedt has quick feet and a strong platform angle.   On defense she has great quick twitch reactions and zero hesitations.  She also made her commitment to play for South Dakota State University.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["449096"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Bengtson is a smart and strategic pin hitter.  She does as nice job of quickly analyzing the situation including the set location on the net, opposing blockers, and where the opposing defense is set.  Bengtson can hit a tough cut shot cross court and down the net.  She recently committed to play at Bemidji.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["278407"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Grausnick works hard in transition and makes herself available to the setter by running a number of routes.  She does not shy away from using a lot of space in the net to go behind the setter or split the defenders on a 3 ball.  Grausnick recently committed to division 3 Central College in Pella, Iowa.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["278523"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Brent was named to the JVA Watchlist this year and found success with the Crossfire 17-1 squad.  But, she's been flying under the radar until the Prep Dig Stock Up Showcase.  Brent was making great contact and placing the ball wherever she wanted.  She gets her arms up early to take a big swing and isn't afraid to play some gritty defense.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["433682"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Gustafson was another player that exploded onto my radar by attending the Prep Dig Stock Up Showcase this summer.  She's a lefty that has a long frame and high reach.   Gustafson is not afraid to take a big rip on the ball.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["348362"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Smith was named to the JVA Watchlist this year.  She also attended the Prep Dig Stock Up Showcase and proved to be a really solid setter.  I'm glad we were able to see her in a number of drills as well as gameplay to get a good idea of where she might fit in our rankings.  I'm definitely going to be keeping tabs on St. Michael-Albertville and Smith this fall.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["278521"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Fuller is a defensive specialist/libero but she actually caught my eye at the Prep Dig Stock Up Showcase when she had zero fear to go and take a hard rip on the ball in the front row.  I love that kind of mentality whether it's their primary skill or not.  I caught Fuller later making some really scrappy defensive plays.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["261257"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Benton also attended the Prep Dig Stock Up Showcase and showed she was more than a back row player.  She atually caught my attention with a low of power and the savvy to work angles as an attacker.  I like seeing athletes who know how to play the whole game, not just their position.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["278525"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Kloss is proof that big talent can come in small packages.  I really like the angles she creates when she is in serve receive.  She is a great communicator and doesn't shy away from strategizing with the players on her court whether she knows them or not.  Kloss is in it to win it!","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64d96b06551aa"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">More New Names To Know</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='447968' first='Victoria' last='Carroll'] - Libero</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='261220' first='Ana' last='Werwie'] - Libero</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='348265' first='Ella' last='Walker'] - 6'2 - Middle Blocker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='388066' first='Addisen' last='Frantz'] - 6'1 - Right Side Hitter</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->