Ball Control Specialists Shine at the Millard West Invite

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one's for the unsung heroes of the Millard West Invitational.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yesterday, we mentioned some frontcourt attackers who brought the heat at last weekend's event at Millard West. But, as we know, those hitters could not thrive without the steady ball control contributions of players around them. Setters and defensive specialists will now be in the spotlight as we round out our features from this star-studded invite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These athletes are due a bit of credit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["189370"],"_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":"Ringenberg has been at the helm of Elkhorn South's offense for a while, and that experience is paying off. The junior setter is finding her stride with the Storm in more ways than one. Ringenberg knows how to find the hot hand and can mix up her distribution well, too. Elkhorn South is looking to take the next step in the Class A hierarchy with their veteran setter leading the way.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["173519"],"_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":"While Ringenberg is taking care of Elkhorn South's second contacts, Junior is often the one guiding the backcourt on the first touch. This experienced libero was the cornerstone of the Storm backcourt last weekend, dishing out a great percentage of perfect passes and positive contacts. It's just another rising star in a lineage of elite Elkhorn South defenders.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["187689"],"_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":"This is Ahrens' year to guide the Millard West offense. The senior had a brilliant 2023 club season with Premier Nebraska, offering reason to believe she would be this year's full-time Wildcat setter. Ahrens brings the kind of stability and leadership you'd expect from a veteran, plus all the tangible skills of a great setter. Her aggressive style shines through whether she's in the front row or along the end line. Ahrens will make a difference.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f6b2f88f4be"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1697998894616002746?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1697998894616002746?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349470"],"_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":"Weekend tournaments often allow us to examine the depth and lineup options that teams bring to the equation. That was the case with Millard West's approach last weekend, as Frandson got an opportunity to showcase her own savvy command of the offense. She was clearly ready to step in when her name was called, and Frandson also brings incredible floor defense that will be a future Wildcat asset.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["395073"],"_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":"Speaking of the Millard West defense, it's worth giving a nod to Teter for her contributions at the defensive specialist spot. This 2026 prospect landed on our radar this spring through her work with Banzai on the club side. That successful outing has quickly translated to increased reps with Millard West, and Teter has made the most of them with stellar passing and reliable defense.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["109588"],"_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":"Lottman has been doing this for a while. Lincoln North Star's senior setter was back to rack up more stats in the Gators' annual appearance at the Millard West Invite. Not only does Lottman spread the ball around with great precision, but she also offers some impressive physicality at the net in two-hitter rotations. That's the kind of 5-1 setter you want on your side.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Kate Odell","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'3u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Lincoln North Star","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"North Star has shown us a few different lineups in this year's backcourt, allowing players like Odell to make themselves known. This veteran can easily adapt to these changing lineups, either as a libero or a primary defensive specialist. Having flexible players like Odell has been a major factor in North Star's strong start to the 2023 season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["276191"],"_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":"Here's another heralded name that readers will surely recognize. Estudillo has shown little apprehension since she took over the libero spot as a freshman last season. She has a right to be confident, too, as Estudillo commands the Fremont backcourt with incredible poise and consistency.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"Rylie Freeman","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"32561","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"Fremont","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Freeman has emerged as a key cog in Fremont's two-setter system. She is tasked with keeping the same flow and rhythm that we've seen from [player_tooltip player_id='189375' first='Kate' last='Denker'], the other starting setter in the Tiger lineup. This senior has delivered with several standout performances this year, and Freeman is only getting more comfortable as the season progresses.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["187703"],"_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":"It's important to note that Olsen is not exclusively a backcourt player. Her termination in the frontcourt has been a vital outlet in the Bennington offense. However, Olsen's ball control is so solid that it's hard not to include her on this feature. The sophomore is not afraid to take on a large volume of passes in the serve receive pattern. Olsen will never shy away from contact as a defender, either. This is quintessential Bennington volleyball in 2023.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='458134' first='Millie' last='Mauch']","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"32561","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Bennington","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"Premier 15 Gold","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"We now have double Mauch trouble for Bennington. Future Cornhusker [player_tooltip player_id='109590' first='Olivia' last='Mauch'] is still in charge of the back row at the libero spot, but [player_tooltip player_id='458134' first='Millie' last='Mauch'] now joins the fray as one of the Badger setters. The freshman brings a wealth of high-level experience from the club side and is already one of the most prominent players in Nebraska's 2027 class.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f6b2f88f80c"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} /-->