Connections We Can't Wait To See In College

With the start of the college season this past weekend, we are already seeing freshmen make an instant impact! I can't help but think about the committed athletes and the combinations they will make once they start at their future programs. There are plenty out there, but these are all athletes I've seen play live multiple times. A lot of these athletes have played against each other and when they join forces - watch out.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/DSC09909.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-334030" style="width:565px;height:376px" width="565" height="376"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='109593' first='Reese' last='Booth']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='109593' first='Reese' last='Booth'] to [player_tooltip player_id='168150' first='Jadyn' last='Petersen'], [player_tooltip player_id='251662' first='Maryn' last='Bixby'], and [player_tooltip player_id='168172' first='Isabelle' last='Elliott']   Committed to Northern Iowa   These combinations are really interesting. [player_tooltip player_id='109593' first='Reese' last='Booth'] is the daughter of Creighton coach, Kirsten Bernthal Booth and [player_tooltip player_id='168150' first='Jadyn' last='Petersen'] is the daughter of Northern Iowa coach, Bobbi Petersen. Petersen, [player_tooltip player_id='251662' first='Maryn' last='Bixby'], and [player_tooltip player_id='168172' first='Isabelle' last='Elliott'] all play for Six Pack who recently won a 17s National Division title this past summer. They are also in the same conference and will most likely battle it out for conference titles and even state titles. There is a ton of talent in this group, but the stories run deep. They are also multi-sport stars where Booth has won state titles in basketball in Nebraska while Petersen and Bixby have won three state titles in basketball in Iowa.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/avahunter25/status/1696314928859087279?s=20 </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='172759' first='Ava' last='Hunter'] to [player_tooltip player_id='178030' first='Karli' last='Molnau']   Committed to Loyola-Chicago   [player_tooltip player_id='172759' first='Ava' last='Hunter'] is fresh off her commit to Loyola, and what great timing after Loyola just defeated Purdue in a huge opening weekend win. She will bring great athleticism and physicality to the setter position while [player_tooltip player_id='178030' first='Karli' last='Molnau'] from Milwaukee Sting is such a dynamic middle blocker. These two have faced each other multiple times with classic Circle City and Milwaukee Sting matches this past season.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/DSC01644.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-379494" style="width:619px;height:412px" width="619" height="412"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='191402' first='Carly' last='Gilk']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='107264' first='Stella' last='Swenson'] to [player_tooltip player_id='191402' first='Carly' last='Gilk']   Committed to Minnesota   Swenson has been the top player in Minnesota the past couple of years and [player_tooltip player_id='191402' first='Carly' last='Gilk'] is right there. They both play for MN Select with Sweson at the 18s level last year and Gilk at the 16s level. Their high school teams are two of the best in the state and they are in the same section. Swenson has won two state titles at Wayzata and Gilk plays for Champlin Park. They will be a fun combo playing opposite each other as setter and right side for the Gophers.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/08/DSC03590.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-450117" style="width:637px;height:424px" width="637" height="424"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mogridge</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='398692' first='Izzy' last='Mogridge'] to [player_tooltip player_id='109603' first='Mia' last='Tvrdy']   Committed to Oregon   Midwest and Southeast get to connect in the PNW. I think Oregon is going to be scary good in the next few years with all of the talent they have coming in. Mogridge is a 2025 setter out of the Tampa area who can run such a fast tempo. [player_tooltip player_id='109603' first='Mia' last='Tvrdy'] is out of the Omaha area and is a matchup nightmare for the other side of the net. At 6'1 she has the length and speed to terminate at any tempo and is extremely dangerous on the slide. This will be really interesting to see when Oregon heads to the Big Ten. There will be a few Midwest athletes for Oregon who will be more than happy to come home and put up a big win.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/DSC09953.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-334042" style="width:674px;height:449px" width="674" height="449"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='119693' first='Janelle' last='Green'] to [player_tooltip player_id='199763' first='Fallyn' last='Blotzer'], [player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani']   Committed to Cincinnati   Cincinnati coming to the Big 12 changes things a bit with their schedule being bumped up a level and also playing top talent across the country. Green was a big commit for the Bearcats out of KC Power where she is a gritty setter, looking to push the pace of her squad. Blotzer was a breakout star for Wave 17s out of San Diego and Izzy Busignani was a standout pin for Michigan Elite. These are the types of athletes Cincy will be looking to build around to take their program to the next level.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/DSC09927.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-334035" style="width:639px;height:425px" width="639" height="425"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Anyanwu</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='154039' first='Reese' last='Messer'] to [player_tooltip player_id='142201' first='Jadyn' last='Livings'], [player_tooltip player_id='142220' first='Favor' last='Anyanwu']   Committed to USC   USC got Livings and Anyanwu from Texas in the Class of 2024 and in the Class of 2025, getting a setter was a high priority for the Trojans. Enter [player_tooltip player_id='154039' first='Reese' last='Messer'], one of the top setters in the class who is a true QB1. She's been setting for Dynasty out of Kansas City who has been one of the top teams in the country the past few seasons. She won't be the only Kansas City setter in town as fellow Dynasty athlete Ashley Mullen just made her debut at UCLA this past weekend. There is a ton of firepower heading to LA and this combo is going to be one to watch in the Big Ten (Is that still a little odd to think USC is in the Big Ten? I'll get use to it…someday)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/DSC03693.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-412782" style="width:647px;height:431px" width="647" height="431"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Collins</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='179889' first='Kirra' last='Musgrove'] to [player_tooltip player_id='212731' first='Mackenzie' last='Collins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='182110' first='Megan' last='Fitch']   Committed to Texas A&M   Head Coach Jamie Morrison is making major waves in the recruiting world with an elite recruiting core from the Class of 2025, he's keeping the top in state talent close to home. [player_tooltip player_id='179889' first='Kirra' last='Musgrove'] and [player_tooltip player_id='212731' first='Mackenzie' last='Collins'] have played on the same side of the net their 15s year when they were both at Houston Juniors. Musgrove brings in a ton of athleticism and physicality along with a big left handed swing to the setter position while Collins might be one of the top athletes overall in the Class of 2025. She is one of the top 400 meter runners in Texas. [player_tooltip player_id='182110' first='Megan' last='Fitch'] won a national title for Alamo her 15s year and was the MVP of the entire tournament. The SEC is continuing to rise in talent.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/DSC09297.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-399062" style="width:581px;height:387px" width="581" height="387"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156295' first='Campbell' last='Flynn']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='156295' first='Campbell' last='Flynn'] to Everyone at Nebraska   Committed to Nebraska   [player_tooltip player_id='156295' first='Campbell' last='Flynn'] of Legacy out of the Detroit area had a huge summer with the USA Youth National Teams, she's the top setter in the Class of 2025. Nebraska has gotten some of the top outside hitters from every recruiting class the past few years. As for Flynn, she was able to have some big connections with future teammate [player_tooltip player_id='397440' first='Teraya' last='Sigler'] out of Arizona where they teamed up to win gold for the U19 squad at the World Championships.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/DSC01427.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-400056" style="width:598px;height:398px" width="598" height="398"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='184108' first='Charlotte' last='Glass'] </figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='184108' first='Charlotte' last='Glass'] to [player_tooltip player_id='179916' first='Olivia' last='Wayne'] and [player_tooltip player_id='179965' first='Zoe' last='Gillen-Malveaux']   Committed to Duke   [player_tooltip player_id='184108' first='Charlotte' last='Glass'] out of South Florida made her mark on the club volleyball world playing for Tribe who was one of the top teams in the 16s field.  She had plenty of highlight reels with left handed swings from the setter position and connections to Minnesota commit, [player_tooltip player_id='201887' first='Kelly' last='Kinney'].  She will now team up with two top middle blockers from North Texas in [player_tooltip player_id='179916' first='Olivia' last='Wayne'] and [player_tooltip player_id='179965' first='Zoe' last='Gillen-Malveaux'].  These athletes are program changers.

With the start of the college season this past weekend, we are already seeing freshmen make an instant impact! I can't help but think about the committed athletes and the combinations they will make once they start at their future programs. There are plenty out there, but these are all athletes I've seen play live multiple times. A lot of these athletes have played against each other and when they join forces - watch out.