2028 Watchlist: A Class Packed with Potential

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code:&nbsp;howe30&nbsp;in the coupon code area</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The initial 2028 Watch List at Prep Dig Iowa dropped last week. I recognized many of the names from my scouting excursions throughout the state and upper Midwest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are a half dozen student-athletes I evaluated during school and club ball:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["761437"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682e3233c3590"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gilbreaith developed her game in one of the state's top prep programs as a ninth-grader last season. She's used that experience at Centennial to her advantage in club ball with Impact. I scouted her at the Northern Lights National Qualifier and then at the Iowa Regional Qualifier a week later. Gilbreaith played a key role for that outfit. She has a good feel for the back row, moving quickly to her spots and delivering accurate passes. Gilbreaith's serving is reliable and can be dangerous when she gets in a groove.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["746258"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682e3233c3672"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When I scouted Goodell at the Windy City National Qualifier, I didn't realize she was playing up. It made what I witnessed all the more impressive. Goodell is an explosive and agile two-way middle. She moves well, which helps her get into blocking position. There, Goodell gets a good read on the attack, times her leap and utilizes her long arms and jumping ability. The height she reaches on the leap helps her take advantage of a sound swing. She pounded out 120 kills (.312) and recorded 35.0 blocks as a Humboldt freshman last season. Expect those numbers to rise significantly in the 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["730450"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682e3233c372e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I scouted Janssen at the Northern Lights National Qualifier and the Iowa Regional Qualifier in back to back weeks this spring. Both times she was helping her team compete with her sound play in the back row. It was the same story when I watched her operating as a freshman for Dallas Center-Grimes at last year's Benton tournament. Janssen completed her ninth-grade campaign with 204 digs as a Mustang starter. She possesses what you look for in the back row, a baller with quickness and sharp reflexes. She diagnoses the attack and slides into proper position more often than not.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["762291"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682e3233c37e4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I scouted Kruse on a limited basis this club season, but she impressed me with her potential in what I did see. She's building on what was a good first step of her prep career as a Solon freshman in 2024. Kruse played up on the junior varsity as a ninth-grader. The Spartans graduated a lot of production from last year's team, and Kruse will have a chance to step in and contribute in the fall. Her ability to play multiple positions along the front row gives her extra paths to playing time and ways to help the team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["775182"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":770141,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682e3233c38d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My first time scouting Marais happened at the Prep Dig Sizzle last August. Her athleticism, quick jumping and vertical leap impressed me right away. Marais also had power in her swing for a freshman. She worked out the kinks and improved her skills as last season advanced, and she's taken her game up another notch with a United outfit that will test itself in the AAU open division next month. Marais should be a bigger piece of the puzzle for the Prairie Hawks in 2025 after coming up with 97 kills as a ninth-grader.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["775146"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":764964,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682e3233c39b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Miller has really raised her level of play this club season after getting her feet wet on the Washington varsity last season. It's put her in position to be a breakout player on the prep scene in 2025. Miller stands out for her versatility and her athleticism. It allows her to contribute in multiple spots in the court. The speed in which she gets off of the floor and the height she gets on her leap aids her when competing against taller opponents. Miller is a smart player, one that limits unforced errors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->