Daily Dozen: 12 Players to Watch at Bellevue West Invitational
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With such a big event on the horizon, let’s take another moment to get you ready. In case you missed it, we’ve uploaded a general overview of the teams and groups set to take on this weekend’s Bellevue West Invitational.…
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Continue ReadingWith such a big event on the horizon, let’s take another moment to get you ready.
In case you missed it, we’ve uploaded a general overview of the teams and groups set to take on this weekend’s Bellevue West Invitational. Some big names to follow are already listed there. However, this outing is worth a deeper dive.
So, here are a dozen more players to watch when all the action kicks off Friday evening.
Ball control will be a major storyline as Papillion-La Vista South pursues another state title. Dyrstad will be at the forefront of that conversation as a setter who can find the hot hand at any time. She also plays stout floor defense in the right-back area, making her an ideal fixture in a two-setter offense. We’ll see if that system manifests again in 2023.
Burden is an under-the-radar contributor who could have a breakout season with Papillion-La Vista. She surged in late 2022 and kept up that momentum with Banzai VBC in the spring. Now, Burden enters the 2023 high school season as one of many dynamic seniors in the Papio lineup.
Hagedorn might be the next go-to attacker for the SkyHawks. Replacing the production of high-flying hitter Morgan Burke will not be easy, but perhaps Hagedorn can provide a spark while Skutt Catholic looks for the nine-peat. Part of Hagedorn’s appeal is her ability to play on either pin and carry a backcourt role, too. We might see a little of everything this fall.
The Heaney name has been a familiar sight on the stat sheet during Elkhorn North’s rise to the top in Class B. Grace Heaney is no longer on the right pin, but Shay Heaney Shay Heaney 6’2″ | OH Elkhorn North | 2025 State NE can pick up the slack on the left. Her vast experience in big matches will keep the Wolves in the championship hunt, and it all starts with a duel against some Class A heavyweights at the Bellevue West Invite.
Miller has a huge opportunity to take a step forward in her junior season. Omaha Westside loses both of its superstar left-side hitters from last year’s team, opening the door for someone like Miller to be the next big attacker. This year’s club season has exhibited Miller’s willingness to pass and play defense, which adds a further layer of excitement to her game.
We’re excited to see how Merten can perform now that she’s risen up to the varsity ranks. She brings a ton of physicality to the middle blocker spot, which has been a typical strong point for Lincoln East over the past few years. Merten will now expand on a successful 2023 stretch that produced plenty of highlight moments at VCN.
We have a lot of transfers and roster shuffles to catch up on for 2023. Kerkman is one of those who will be in the spotlight following her move to Millard West. The Wildcats lose some impactful pin hitters from the 2022 squad, allowing Kerkman to fill that gap with her hard-hitting style. A strong year with Premier 16 Gold will be a great launching point to a new chapter of Kerkman’s high school career.
Highlights
Bosiljevac is another key cog to Omaha Marian’s stacked junior class. Her adaptability as a middle blocker or a right-side hitter will give the Crusaders plenty of options throughout the 2023 season. She could play both depending on the circumstances around her. Either way, Bosiljevac appears ready to embrace the rigors of Class A competition.
The ever-evolving narrative surrounding Heckenlively’s prep career has been something to behold. This athletic attacker started her career as a middle blocker before becoming Gretna’s featured left-side attacker as a sophomore. There’s little doubt that her prominent pin role will continue as Heckenlively looks to remain atop the Class A stat sheets.
Gish is finding her footing at Millard North. The Nebraska Elite product started her career at Omaha Duchesne and hopped over to the Mustangs as a sophomore. She’s now an upperclassman and can lock down the net in a variety of ways. Gish is hoping for a big uptick in production as Millard North takes the next step in the ultra-competitive Metro Conference.
Stone continues our run of Nebraska Elite middle blockers who have shined on prep stages. She brought plenty of value to last year’s Elkhorn South lineup, especially given how comfortable Stone was behind the setter. Regardless of which route she’s running, Stone is sure to draw her share of attention from opposing blockers.
Eggiman knows how to take a leading role. She’s been doing it every year of her prep tenure with Bellevue West. The Thunderbirds can harness Eggiman’s incredible athleticism on the pin but will get blocking production from their senior, too. We’ll see all of those skills flourish as Eggiman and Bellevue West face off against the state’s best lineups.