Class A Showcase: Underrated Players to Watch
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This is becoming one of my favorite weekends of the high school season. It’s a perfect mid-season tournament that is true to its title. It showcases the smaller schools with some really big talent. There will be exciting matches on…
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Continue ReadingThis is becoming one of my favorite weekends of the high school season. It’s a perfect mid-season tournament that is true to its title. It showcases the smaller schools with some really big talent. There will be exciting matches on every court at the Midwest Volleyball Warehouse on Friday and Saturday. Here are a few athletes I’m looking forward to watching a little closer this weekend.
Meyer has been putting up some really solid numbers for the clippers and it’s no surprise considering the work she puts in. She reads the opposing side of the net and identifies the play before it develops. Meyer is balanced, patient and in control of the first contact. She creates smart angles to keep her team in system and she isn’t afraid to extend her range defensively.
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I’ve heard a lot of positive things about Janssen and how she is an effective and productive attacker. She runs a variety of routes and moves well laterally along the net on defense. I think MACCRAY’s ball control will get tested this weekend and I’m looking forward to see how they get the ball Janssen.
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NEW LIFE ACADEMY
This squad includes a pair of young pins that will be a driving force over the next couple years. I’ve seen both Marisa Michaelis Marisa Michaelis 6'0" | RS New Life Academy | 2026 State MN and Jada Mitchell Jada Mitchell 5'9" | OH New Life Accademy | 2026 State MN with an aggressive style from their transition, approach, and all the way through their armswing. They are consistent in their movement and I am looking forward to seeing how well they maintain their power and effectiveness in their shots throughout a tournament. I’m also looking forward to seeing their variety of shots and court awareness. It’s always fun when you have more than one attacker to demand attention from the opposing team.
Wollum is another young dynamic attacker that is effective from anywhere on the court. She solid piece to the Lancer offense with her athleticism. The squad has benefited from her development in efficiency as well. Her ability to be consistent and vary her attack will be put to the test this weekend against some tough competition.
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White is a middle blocker that has a very impressive stat-line as a sophomore. She’s 2nd on the team in kills with 217 so far this season and hitting a solid .224. On the defensive side the is 2nd on the team with 44 total blocks. I haven’t seen White play in person much so I’m excited for this opportunity!
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Hellickson is another athlete I haven’t seen play much in person but I’ve seen enough video to know I want to make sure and spend some time at her court. She does a great job getting her hips under the ball on defense and doesn’t shy away from using her hands. Hellickson anticipates a setter dump and reads opposing attackers really well. There isn’t much she doesn’t see coming ahead of time.