Midwest Talent Heading to California Colleges

<p>As Nationals draw near, all eyes turn to the exceptional talent emerging from the Midwest, especially those athletes set to step on the collegiate stage in California. PrepDigCa recently attended the Gauntlet, PrepDig's premier event of the year, to shine a spotlight on these standout players heading west. Among them are Lauren Cortina from Adversity 17, committed to UCLA; Hannah Koester from Northern Lights 17-2, set to join Pacific University; Natalie Ptacek, who will be heading to San Jose State; Sidney Hamaker from Sports Performance committed to Long Beach State; and Reese Dunkle from Circle City 17 Purple, bound for Stanford. These athletes have already demonstrated remarkable skill and leadership throughout their club careers, signaling their potential to excel on the collegiate courts and leave a lasting impact on their future teams.</p>   <p>This article celebrates these five talented athletes and the promising futures awaiting them in California volleyball. As they gear up to compete in Las Vegas and Orlando, both scouts and fans should keep a close watch on these rising stars, destined to leave their mark on the collegiate volleyball scene.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Lauren Cortina</strong></h2>   <p>Lauren Cortina from Adversity 17, who has committed to UCLA, shines as a dedicated libero on the court. Her precision in passing up the ball for her attacking setter at the net is impeccable. Throughout the tournament, she consistently demonstrates a great combination of skill and teamwork, distinguishing herself from other Liberos in the gym. I had the privilege of speaking with Lauren during the tournament, fresh from her experience at the UCLA camp, and her excitement about joining the UCLA program was truly inspiring. Her confidence in the promising future ahead speaks volumes, as she eagerly anticipates achieving great things on the horizon. Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8DSxJUS8Ff/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hannah Koester</h2>   <p>Hannah Koester from Northern Lights 17-2 is poised to make her mark at Pacific University. She showcased consistency and a commanding presence throughout the tournament. Excelling as an outside hitter, she proves herself formidable in both offense and defense. Hannah's smooth transitions and unwavering concentration empower her to deliver powerful hits or execute precise tips, continuously challenging the defenses of her adversaries. Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8DTKfiy0pk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== </div></figure>    <p></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Reese Dunkle</h2>   <p>Reese Dunkle from Circle City 17 Purple is destined for Stanford, marking an exciting chapter to the ending of her club volleyball journey. This exceptionally athletic middle player maneuvers with precision at the net, showcasing expertise in hitting angles around the block. On defense, she is a force to be reckoned with, consistently delivering blocks that stifle the opposition's attacks. Beyond her impressive skills, Reese's outstanding attitude shines brightly. Despite facing challenges during the first day of pool play, I spoke with her and she maintained a positive outlook, commending her team for their resilience in the absence of a key player and expressing unwavering determination for the journey ahead. Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/C794c33vCXC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sidney Hamaker</h2>   <p>Sidney Hamaker, a middle blocker committed to Long Beach State, is truly an impressive player, particularly noted for her knack for bouncing balls during warm-ups. Her talent shines on both offense and defense, consistently contributing to her team's success. Sidney's powerful spikes and solid blocking make her a formidable force at the net, and her presence on the court is invaluable. With her exceptional skills and dedication, Sidney is poised to become a key player for Long Beach State. Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8AMbowsaSV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== </div></figure>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Natalie Ptacek</h2>   <p>Natalie Ptacek, who is heading to San Jose State, is a serious presence at the net. This weekend she demonstrated her monster blocking and confident swagger. She expertly manages her side of the court, delivering powerful kills and maintaining a solid press on the block. I was particularly fond of her cross-court tips. Natalie is a dynamic player to watch and will undoubtedly be a valuable asset to San Jose State. Michelle Bamford @ PrepDig</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8DT5ziSOek/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>We wish all these athletes the best of luck as they prepare to make their mark on the collegiate volleyball scene in California.</em></h2>

As Nationals draw near, all eyes turn to the exceptional talent emerging from the Midwest, especially those athletes set to step on the collegiate stage in California. PrepDigCa recently attended the Gauntlet, PrepDig's premier event of the year, to shine a spotlight on these standout players heading west. Among them are Lauren Cortina from Adversity 17, committed to UCLA; Hannah Koester from Northern Lights 17-2, set to join Pacific University; Natalie Ptacek, who will be heading to San Jose State; Sidney Hamaker from Sports Performance committed to Long Beach State; and Reese Dunkle from Circle City 17 Purple, bound for Stanford. These athletes have already demonstrated remarkable skill and leadership throughout their club careers, signaling their potential to excel on the collegiate courts and leave a lasting impact on their future teams.