Ball Control Standouts from the 2023 Harvest Festival Invite

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["189376"],"_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":"Aurora's star libero was back at it again. Ashby has shown her superior command of the backcourt in both high school and club venues. This was a huge year for the veteran defender when she competed with Nebraska Juniors, and Ashby hasn't missed a beat with Huskies this fall. Perhaps the most notable element of Ashby's performance last week, aside from her technical skills, was her willingness to be an emotional leader as Aurora battled throughout the tournament.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["393555"],"_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":"This seems to be an annual venue for Johnson to take center stage in the libero conversation. She's the backcourt anchor to a Kearney Catholic team that has thrived off of quality ball control. Not only will Johnson make a huge splash as a floor defender, but her extraordinary passing allows other Stars to have their moments in the spotlight. This encapsulates the impact of a stout defensive specialist.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["393535"],"_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":"Squiers is the complete package at the setter position. Of course, she has all the consistent distribution you'd hope for and has a knack for putting her hitters in good spots. But Squiers also gives Kearney Catholic some serious aggression at the net with her strong blocking and penchant for attacking on the second contact. That balance makes the Stars infinitely more difficult to defend, and we got a glimpse of that last weekend.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-650bcfc3f0106"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1702771499298337067?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/1702771499298337067?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["172602"],"_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":"McCartney has been a multi-year star for Chadron, so her emergence in Gothenburg last weekend was nothing new. She's incredibly steady no matter what kind of pass she's getting at the net. Even when McCartney is drifting toward the three-meter line, she can fire the ball around with pace and produce split-block opportunities.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["105003"],"_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":"Ervin was one of the most high-profile participants at last week's tournament. The Southern Utah commit is an outstanding dual threat who finds every way possible to influence Ogallala's efforts. When she's not denting the floor as a frontcourt hitter, Ervin runs the offense in the backcourt and has a great feel for tempo and location. She does it all, and the Indians took full advantage of that range in Gothenburg.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["256654"],"_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":"The steely veteran is back to command the Gothenburg attack. Richeson dishes out one of Nebraska's most balanced offenses, and the good times kept rolling on the Swedes' home court. Gothenburg's decorated lineup of attackers can give a lot of credit to Richeson for putting everyone in a position to succeed. We'll likely see this talented senior back on the tournament stage this November.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["395131"],"_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":"It's hard to question Bules's commitment to the libero role. She sacrificed her body to make some jaw-dropping plays throughout the Harvest Festival Invite. But a libero's value is not just measured by the flashy plays, and Bules has embraced her responsibilities as Minden's primary passer. Those positive contributions have elevated Minden's game to new heights following last year's historic season.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["276201"],"_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":"Emery, like Ervin, does a lot more than just setting for her team. The sophomore is standout hitter for the Whippets who brings heavy heat from the left side. On the other end of the dial, however, Emery sets Minden to some eye-popping hitting efficiencies and one-on-one opportunities. She's just building on the same role she had as a freshman, and Emery's best moments are yet to come.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-650bcfc3f0234"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1702775145918537942?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/1702775145918537942?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Emma Elstermeier","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"St. Paul","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"We'll close out this feature with a pair of liberos that landed on our radar after this stacked event. Elstermeier was an unsung hero of St. Paul's run through the tournament field. The senior came up with some clutch digs, particularly during St. Paul's slugfest against Aurora. Better yet, Elstermeier can pass a considerable chunk of the court and allowed the hitters around her to perform their duties.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Lainey Portwine","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"32926","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"York","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"York rolled out a variety of defensive lineups last weekend, but Portwine was usually a major contributor in every one. She showed the kind of poise and energy that you'd expect from an upperclassman. The Dukes have some heralded hitters that are only strengthened by Portwine's presence on the end line.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-650bcfc3f0355"} /-->