Club Frenzy: Empire 18-1 Uncommitted Seniors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The University of Saint Mary hosted the Spire Slam on February 10.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the AM Wave, five 18-U teams played against each other and I scouted three of the matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at four prospects playing for the Empire 18-1 team which won a two-set match against the Oak Grove Crush a team made up of Missouri prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All four of them are uncommitted athletes from the Class of 2024 and each expressed a desire to still find a college program to extend their playing careers with. Each of them would add solid depth to NAIA or JUCO programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jamie Erhard, </strong>5'10”, MH, Olathe South, '24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Erhard is a gifted athlete who is still a bit on the raw side, but who would be a great late addition to an NAIA program. The Olathe South prospect is lean and mean. She has nice ups and finish blocks. Empire as a squad was a not team that opponents could afford to overpass on. Erhard finished with three kills and one dig.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='495603' first='Tori' last='Brown']</strong>, 5'2”, L, Manhattan, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown was the most poised libero I saw play in the three matches. She makes accurate first passes and communicates well as the team defends. Brown recorded nine digs and four serve receptions. She has a nice serve that resulted in three aces in the win over the Crush.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gia Gallagher</strong>, 5'7”, OH, Shawnee Mission North West, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gallagher is a confident attacker who also adjusted well to out-of-system balls. She has some grittiness to her game and led the Empire squad with five kills in the win. She has a nice vertical and added two digs to her stat line. She is a smart volleyball player who does not give up during lengthy unorganized rallies. Much like Erhard, if you overpass against Gallagher she will make you pay.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Abbey Gilmore</strong>, 5'2”, DS, Gardner-Edgerton, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>College programs still looking for a defensive specialist should reach out to Gardner Edgerton's Gilmore. She is sneaky quick and reacts well defensively. She had four serve receptions and two digs in Empire's win. She was very approachable and respectful during the event. She is the consummate team player who will understand her role in a college program and be an unselfish team leader.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->