January Gems: Who was Hot

Scouting is rarely as linear as the articles that follow it. Over the past month (and upcoming months), I've crossed paths with a number of volleyball players who left a lasting impression—sometimes through incredible skill, sometimes through their communication and court presence, and other times simply through an energy you can't ignore. For one reason or another, I haven't had a chance to maybe feature them yet, but they are not forgotten. These players were on fire in January, and as the season continues, they're at the top of my list to follow and keep checking back on. Check out a few of them below.    Playing up an age level, Vukelich shows no signs of being out of place. Her high volleyball IQ stands out immediately, as she runs the offense with consistent tempo and distributes the ball effectively to all of her hitters on the court. She knows how to move her hitters into strong scoring positions and leads her team with a calm, natural presence well beyond her age. Vukelich is one to watch as the high level play she is getting at a young age is definitely only going to enhance her skills and game at a rapid rate, which is only going to make her even more appealing to college coaches.     Gruden in an outside hitter that is dynamic and fun to watch. She plays with poise and control, yet remains lethal in her ability to terminate attack after attack. Her height and natural athleticism make her a big weapon on the pin, and she uses those tools with efficiency. With her energy and enhanced skills, she is a future stud who will only continue to elevate her game as the competition rises.     Taylor is a young libero that is already methodical in her approach and brings a high level of consistency to every phase of her game. She reads the court well, positions herself effectively on defense, and provides steady coverage behind her attackers. Her lethal float serve also consistently pushed teams out of system, allowing her to go on multiple long serving runs and create momentum for her team. I can't wait to see more of Taylor as she is young libero with a bright future ahead of her.     Sweeney is a relentless competitor and the backbone of her team. She sets with consistency and delivers sets to her hitters that are what they need. She does a solid job moving the ball around to get players contributing all over the court. She also works tirelessly to track down balls, delivering hittable balls to the pins even in broken plays. When in the front row, she adds another layer to the offense by attacking effectively—whether through well timed setter dumps or confidently taking a hard swing herself. Combined her skills, work ethic, advanced game IQ and court awareness, make her a high level setter that will consistently put her team in position to succeed.     Hetfeld is a new player to jump on my radar and I think she is fantastic to watch (I am kind of surprised she hasn't flown on to our radar already). She is a six rotation outside and a true "do-it-all" player who impacts the game in every phase. She is technically sound in serve receive, plays exceptional defense, and showcases lightning quick reflexes and movement that allow her to cover the court with ease. As an attacker, she is dynamic, constantly involved in the action, and has a knack for creating scoring opportunities regardless of the circumstances. Hetfeld is a true competitor as she plays with relentless hustle, grit, and athleticism, fueled by a great desire to compete and of course, win.

Scouting is rarely as linear as the articles that follow it. Over the past month (and upcoming months), I've crossed paths with a number of volleyball players who left a lasting impression—sometimes through incredible skill, sometimes through their communication and court presence, and other times simply through an energy you can't ignore. For one reason or another, I haven't had a chance to maybe feature them yet, but they are not forgotten. These players were on fire in January, and as the season continues, they're at the top of my list to follow and keep checking back on. Check out a few of them below.