Rockin’ Rockford Grand Prix: New Names Jumping on the Radar

I spent a considerable amount of time wandering around the courts at the Rockford facility. This tournament was run very well and the venue was exceptional. I was able to see some many age levels all at one place.   I love watching the up and coming young players so I spent some extra time at their courts on both days. Volleyball has grown and evolved so much over the years. The skill level, height, and power of some of these young players is off the charts. The following are a few 2028 and 2029s that caught my attention. These players are making into into my notebook to keep tabs on over the next couple of years.   Remember to follow me on Instagram @Prepdigamy and Facebook @PrepDig Amy for up to date event coverage, stories, and more.    Vegter is just beginning her volleyball career and is already turning heads. Playing up an age division, Vegter was one of the go to attackers on her 15u Rolling Thunder team this past weekend. She has good court awareness, moves quickly, and explodes to the pin. Vegter generated numerous kills by taking some big swings from both pins and out of the backrow. Vegter also plays the net exceptionally well for such a young player. She reads the ball well and can get her hands on nearly everything sent her way. Vegter is going to be one to keep tabs as she continues to grow and develop her game.     Evans is a lefty that was on fire this past weekend in Rockford on both offense and defense. This girls can hit line, cross, roll and even attack out of the middle. Evans was also solid in blocking and off blocker defense. She was an outside attackers worst nightmare as she prevented so many kills by effectively blocking or by slowing them down with block touches that her team easily picked up. She eventually forced many opposing teams to roll and tip which her team capitalized off of.     Meiste is a beast of an attacker. A natural athlete, Meiste has a solid vertical, is fluid in her movements, and has a multitude of shots. Just when I thought her line shot was the most impressive, I saw her take some huge rips out of the backrow that were also crazy good. Meiste is also advanced compared to here peers in that she can read the block in front of her well. She was able to hit the seams, go around the block, or just simply go up and over it to deliver hard attacks repeatedly.     Honestly, I was watching another court when I saw a girl go up and deliver two massive kills in a row down the line from the right pin. I was so intrigued with her placement and power, that I had to go check it out. I watched Wilson for a while and was impressed with her ability to transition out, explode to the pin, and adjust midstride to the ball. She also has a quick arm swing which leads to these hefty attacks. I was even more amazed when I realized that she is 2029 and a setter as well. Sky is the limit for this girl and I will be sure to follow her in the upcoming seasons.     Mangan was an exceptional leader on the court this weekend and led her team to some big wins on Sunday. Mangan is a consistent setter. Running a 5-1 offense, she did a good job setting balls consistently in both location and tempo. She gives her attackers what each of them needs, giving them the best chance of scoring. She also has good court awareness, will reverse the ball against the flow and find the hot hand where ever they are on the court.     Johann was a wall at the net this past weekend. With speed, height, and a good vertical, Johann is a middle blocker with a ton of potential. She transitions quickly, has solid footwork, a good read on the ball, and moves with ease from side to side. Johann was also effective on offense as well. She delivered some solid kills to both corners and racked up points with some carefully placed tips over the block and to the front corners.

I spent a considerable amount of time wandering around the courts at the Rockford facility. This tournament was run very well and the venue was exceptional. I was able to see some many age levels all at one place.