New Names Discovered in MN During the Prep Season

Some of the athletes in the article were either new to varsity or competed on junior varsity teams this year. I think it's important to recognize that high school teams structure their programs differently. In some cases, younger players are called up to fill roles in small schools where there may not be enough athletes. In other cases, younger players may not have the opportunity to compete at the varsity level simply because upperclassmen claim those roles. Regardless of which team they were on this year, we liked their contributions and are excited to see their growth over the winter months.   Remember to follow me on Instagram @Prepdigamy and Facebook @PrepDig Amy for up to date event coverage, stories, and more.    Marsolek is a setter whose understanding of the game allows her to make smart, effective decisions and plays on the court. She shows a willingness to implement new strategies and skills to improve both her own skills and the team's performance. She also possesses a powerful serve that frequently left teams out of system. Her combination of skill, volleyball IQ, and ability to be coachable makes her a valuable asset to the team.     Rinlee is a young middle with tremendous potential. This is highlighted by her powerful and explosive swing that is quite the weapon. While she is still gaining experience and developing her overall game, she showed tremendous ability to learn and grow her game. With continued high level coaching and reps, her natural athleticism and attacking ability will allow her to become a strong, impactful middle for the next several years.     Rushford Peterson is a volleyball program on the rise. Seen running the helm of this years offense was young, freshman setter [player_tooltip player_id='909213' first='Grace' last='Ekern']. Ekern showed impressive composure and skill on the varsity floor routinely delivering consistent and well-timed sets to her attackers. Her ability to run the offense at such a young age, showcases her strong understanding of the game and ability to grow her game. Ekern is set to be a key contributor to the team's offense for years to come.     Gittens is an outside hitter who impressed me with her exceptional vertical leap and ability to attack from the pin from various angles. In the last prep game of the season that I observed, she executed several powerful cross court and line shots that the opposing team found too tough to handle. She was not only fun to watch but clearly demonstrated her excellent timing and hitting accuracy. Her athleticism and offensive flexibility make her a force at the net and a player to watch as she continues to develop as she heads over to Elevate this fall.     Luhman is a tall and effective pin hitter who exceled at finding ways to score. This past school season, she demonstrated a high level understanding of attacking. Racking up 77 kills, she consistently was successful at tooling the block, going around it, or elevating herself to go up and over the block. Her strong presence on the court makes her not only a reliable offensive weapon but also a solid, reliable blocker that pressured the opposing team greatly. Her combination of height, smart shot selection, and net presence makes her a young key player to keep tabs on.

Some of the athletes in the article were either new to varsity or competed on junior varsity teams this year. I think it's important to recognize that high school teams structure their programs differently. In some cases, younger players are called up to fill roles in small schools where there may not be enough athletes. In other cases, younger players may not have the opportunity to compete at the varsity level simply because upperclassmen claim those roles. Regardless of which team they were on this year, we liked their contributions and are excited to see their growth over the winter months.