Closing Observations from Presidents' Day Classic

ST. LOUIS - I've already posted stories and photo galleries from last weekend's Presidents' Day Classic, so please check them out if you haven't already. As usually is the case in these bigger tournaments, I couldn't fit all of my observations in those other content items.   These aren't the leftovers but a collection of scouting takeaways and thoughts that didn't work in a previous category. We're used to call it "emptying the notebook" in journalism days gone by, but reporters don't often use notebooks anymore.   Here goes...   -I've now watched Adrenaline 15 Maddie multiple times this season. It's entertained and impressed.   The group still is coming together as a team but boasts some high-level potential as a squad and from an individual standpoint.   [player_tooltip player_id='555712' first='Sophia' last='Meester'] has experienced great development in her game since the prep season. She's shown more explosion off the court and a much-improved swing. Meester has been playing six rotations, performing well throughout, and certainly should already be on the radar of college coaches.   Setter [player_tooltip player_id='555736' first='Lila' last='Eastvold'] flashes promise with a burgeoning skill set to go with good height and arm length at the position. [player_tooltip player_id='525829' first='Addison' last='Phillips'] is a prospect to watch in the middle and libero [player_tooltip player_id='555730' first='Taylor' last='Hoskins'] is one on which to keep an eye in the back row.   -After in-person looks at multiple tournaments, [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] 17-1 featured college prospects. I mentioned outside [player_tooltip player_id='261072' first='Hargun' last='Kaur'] in another article from this event. She's kept improving steadily since last summer.   Setter [player_tooltip player_id='221340' first='Taylor' last='Ray'] could help programs at the next level with her consistency and court vision. [player_tooltip player_id='447583' first='Reise' last='Neuhaus'] is an undersized outside that succeeds with good leaping ability, timing and power. [player_tooltip player_id='730801' first='Callie' last='Huber'] is a very sound middle.   -College players can be found through multiple levels in a club's age group. That's the case with Adrenaline's third squad.   We wrote about Amelia Miller in other article from this tournament. Colleges should have been on her, like, yesterday.   You can put Katelyn Castor in the next-level prospect pool with Miller. She plays six rotations, displaying ability in all spots with room for improvement.   -Adrenaline 17 Brooke continues making progress as the season advances. Much of that has to do with the head coach, former Dike-New Hartford and Kentucky standout, Brooke Morgan. Her detail and commitment to fundamentals helps her kids grow in the game.   I wrote about <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/02/under-the-radar-17s-at-stl-presidents-day-classic/">under-the-radar prospects</a> from this event, which included two members of this squad - [player_tooltip player_id='215388' first='Adalyn' last='Hermanson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='261100' first='Vada' last='Klunder']. They've received a lot of help from a group of players meshing as a unit.   Setter Madeline Mohr is sound fundamentally and consistent in her play. She mixes up her deliveries well and understands where her hitters like the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='447579' first='Kelsey' last='Klesner'] stands out as a prospect with versatility. She can handle back row responsibilities and also shows a solid swing from the outside.   [player_tooltip player_id='242669' first='Gracie' last='Hoskins'] is a sound libero with traits you look for at the position. She anticipates well, gets low and moves smooth laterally. She passes cleanly on serve-receive, helping this outfit stay in system so its productive hitters can eat.

ST. LOUIS - I've already posted stories and photo galleries from last weekend's Presidents' Day Classic, so please check them out if you haven't already. As usually is the case in these bigger tournaments, I couldn't fit all of my observations in those other content items.