New Names to Know on the 2024 Watch List
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There are a number of very talented athletes who were added to the watch list in this rankings update. Many of these athletes jumped onto my radar at club tournaments throughout the season, including the Battle at the Bay and…
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Continue ReadingThere are a number of very talented athletes who were added to the watch list in this rankings update. Many of these athletes jumped onto my radar at club tournaments throughout the season, including the Battle at the Bay and over the summer at the Sizzle. Here is a breakdown of the new names to know on the 2024 watch list.
Olivia is a setter who first caught my eye at the Prep Dig Battle at the Bay. She has clean form and is very consistent. Olivia does not make a lot of errors and runs a fast offense. She utilizes every hitter and is very well-rounded and disciplined on the court.
Jillella puts a lot of grit and hustle into every play. She has great endurance and soft hands. Jillella knows what her hitters like and does her best to utilize them to their highest potential. She is a leader on the court that runs a 5-1 during the club season and was impressive at both the Badger Qualifier and Battle at the Bay.
Sophia was electric at the Stock Up Showcase. She does all of the little things right. Her ability to pick up balls in coverage, play scrappy defense, and have an impact on offense is impressive. Sophia is a gamer who steps up in chaotic situations and thrives in out-of-system plays. She is reliable and will always give 100%.
Kyra is an athletic middle with a huge vertical and high contact. She had some massive swings at the Stock Up Showcase and was a threat as a blocker as well. She stood out throughout the event. Kyra is disciplined and sees the court very well on both offense and defense, which sets her apart from other middles.
Highlights
Mattea is an athlete to watch in this class. She is one of the most hard-working athletes on the court and finds ways to add value with her skills and by leading by example. Mattea is reliable in all of her skills and will be a pin to watch this upcoming high school season.
Sydney does not let anything drop. Ever. She got touches on balls that I had already considered dead and made me say ‘wow’ on several occasions. She is quick and relentless on both defense and serve receive. The combination of great form, athleticism, and awesome court awareness set her up for success. She is a leader in the backcourt.
Highlights
Olivia is an all-around solid libero. She is so balanced in her skillset from her serve receive to defense to coverage and serving and out of system setting. She is reliable and consistent in the backcourt. Olivia has a lot of potential and has been very impressive this past season.
Gillian is a valuable defender who flies a little under the radar. She is scrappy and gets a lot of touches on tough balls. She defends the backcourt fiercely and can play out of any spot in the back row. Gillian excels in the middle back, where she can run down balls corner to corner and provide consistency on serve receive.
Macy is a middle hitter who can hold her own up against the toughest of opponents. She is aggressive and engaged on the court and adds a lot of value in transition. Macy is very athletic and puts up a solid block.