Team Profile: Mintonette m.72

Following a recent top-five finish at the Nike Classic last weekend, Mintonette m.72 has established themselves as a squad that can compete at a high level. With wins over some really good teams such as Adidas KIVA and FarOut along with a tough three-set to their club kin Mintonette m.71, this is a team that should be on the radar. Let's take a look at their personnel.   This team features a handful of committed prospects including the length and big offense of [player_tooltip player_id='227807' first='Mackenzie' last='Palumbo'] (Navy), the middle presence of [player_tooltip player_id='536682' first='Charlotte' last='Routh'] (Lipscomb), and the athleticism and pin versatility of [player_tooltip player_id='227855' first='Makiaya' last='Turner'] (Bowling Green State). The piece that may be the x-factor though is the floor leadership and setting distribution from [player_tooltip player_id='151979' first='Natalie' last='Harrington'] (Dayton). This core group among their uncommitted teammates and counterparts that make up this club's top 17U team show just how deep and talented Mintonette is in this age group.   Below are some of uncommitted prospects that are making contributions and deserve a good look. Three of these prospects returning to Mintonette include pin [player_tooltip player_id='502155' first='Haley' last='Balo'], middle [player_tooltip player_id='500084' first='Maci' last='Gerboth'], and DS/L [player_tooltip player_id='412608' first='Ashley' last='Moreland']. Three new prospects to this squad for their 17U season, and who will bring solid skills and increase the quality of their depth in different roles, include setter [player_tooltip player_id='512533' first='Madison' last='Mintz'], middle [player_tooltip player_id='487102' first='Naomi' last='Cole'], and DS/L [player_tooltip player_id='227624' first='Madison' last='Kyle'].    Balo has been a juggernaut of an offensive threat for the past two high school seasons for River View as she has earned 843 total kills over that span, and is sitting at just over 1,000 total kills for her varsity career with one more season to go. She is one of the best primary pin attackers in Ohio playing for a second 17U team for any club, which is one key reason this team can compete well with many club's top team. She has length at 6'1 and brings a big arm and the ability to score through a variety of attack points as showcased well over the recent fall season.     Every aspect of Gerboth's game has been noticeably upgraded from this time last year. This was clearly evidenced by the best performance of her varsity career this past fall as she led the 21-5 Oletangy Orange Pioneers offensively and at the net on the defensive side. She had career best numbers at 2.8 k/s and .368 efficiency, along with 68 total blocks. It is not often that we see middles lead their teams offensively but Gerboth has a great offensive skill set in her footwork and movement patterns that pairs well with her range in how she can score around her setter.     Moreland is another veteran of this team having played in the libero role during their 16U run last club season. She has over 350 total digs in her varsity career for Bishiop Watterson and a 6.3 d/m average after the recent 2024 fall cycle. She anchors the service reception aspect well for this team with her response to the servers action, including making efficient moves to face the ball and create controlled angles. She also reads well defensively with good reaction and pursuit.     A major contributor to Lebanon's 2024 high school season, Kyle (*pictured) makes the move away from her previous club home at [program_tooltip program_id='431827' first='Elevation' last=''], which is a solid gain for Mintonette. She reads the floor well and has developed movement, range, and confidence in her ball control and defense that will only get better given this area of the game is typically a big strength of this club.      Cole arrives to Mintonette this season with a good foundation in her skills along with size and length at 6'3 to make an immediate impact. She is improving her offensive tools at the net with more risk stemming from her improved control with her arm to swing with range to exploit more of the opponent's defense side. If she becomes a steady factor that can balance the presence of Routh in the middle, the strength that is in their pin offense will find more success overall.     Mintz is another solid addition for Mintonette this club season. She adds depth to the setting position as she helped lead Archbishop Hoban to a 26-1 record overall in 2024 behind her 834 total assists and 9.8 a/s average. She has quickness in her footwork and pursuit of the second touch while also very capable of setting the full scope of an offense with tempo and consistent location when in the pocket and on the move. She also can contribute defensively as she earned over 200 digs this past fall as well.

Following a recent top-five finish at the Nike Classic last weekend, Mintonette m.72 has established themselves as a squad that can compete at a high level. With wins over some really good teams such as Adidas KIVA and FarOut along with a tough three-set to their club kin Mintonette m.71, this is a team that should be on the radar. Let's take a look at their personnel.