Closing Observations from Presidents’ Day Classic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>ST. LOUIS -</strong> 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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here goes...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-I've now watched Adrenaline 15 Maddie multiple times this season. It's entertained and impressed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The group still is coming together as a team but boasts some high-level potential as a squad and from an individual standpoint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-College players can be found through multiple levels in a club's age group. That's the case with Adrenaline's third squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We wrote about Amelia Miller in other article from this tournament. Colleges should have been on her, like, yesterday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[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. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->