First Impressions and Familiar Faces: Who Stood Out in Week 1

Join Prep Dig using code “AVG30” for a discount on your initial membership.   The first week of the Minnesota high school volleyball season gave me a chance to get back in the gym and see plenty of talent in action. Some of the players who caught my attention were familiar faces I have watched during previous high school and club seasons, while others were completely new to me. Regardless of whether I had seen them before or was getting my first look, each found a way to stand out and leave a lasting impression. From big swings and athletic plays at the net to relentless defense, and smart setting, these are some of the players who caught my eye during the opening week of Minnesota High School season.   Remember to follow me on Instagram @Prepdigamy and Facebook @PrepDig Amy for live event coverage, behind the scenes stories, player highlights, and the latest updates. If you want to get on my radar or feel like I may have missed you, please reach out to me on email at <a href="mailto:vanguilderamy@gmail.com">vanguilderamy@gmail.com</a>. I always love hearing from players, especially Minnesota athletes and I'm always looking for new players to watch and follow!    I had the chance to watch Kube play on Saturday in the Cities, and her athleticism and competitiveness immediately stood out. She is a hard working player who makes an impact on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Kube has a big swing and can hit sharp angles, making her a tough attacker to defend. At the net, she moves well laterally, working to seal the block and getting well-timed touches that slow down opposing attacks. Her game extends to the back row as well, where she is a solid server and capable defender. Kube's ability to contribute in so many different areas, along with her competitive approach to the game, makes her a player we will continue to keep an eye on.     It was fun to see McGowen in person as she competed in her first prep match of the season. She is one of those players who simply does a little bit of everything. McGowen has a big swing, does a nice job finding open court, and can turn the ball down the line when the opportunity is there. She also brings a solid serve that got the opposing team out of system numerous times. Beyond her physical skills, McGowen is a natural leader and competitor. She may only be a sophomore, but she already carries herself with confidence on the court and competes hard on every point. With her all around game established, competitive drive, and leadership qualities, McGowen is a player with a bright future ahead.     I got my first look at Bettis on Saturday in her match against Glencoe and there was a lot to like. Bettis has some big time hops to go along with a powerful swing, but she isn't a player who relies solely on power. She sees the block well and knows how to vary her attack, mixing in rolls and tips when needed to find open court. That combination of athleticism, power, and court awareness makes her an intriguing young attacker on the rise and one we will be keeping tabs on.     Defensive specialists don't always get enough attention, but it was hard to miss Wilkens on Saturday. She immediately made an impact from the service line with a strong float serve that the opposing team struggled to handle. She was also consistent in serve receive and showed a willingness to track down everything sent her way. Playing primarily in middle back, Wilkens covered a lot of court and was quick moving from sideline to sideline to get herself behind the ball. Her serving, consistency, and effort on defense stood out and make her a player to keep an eye on.     Pahl was another player I was unfamiliar with heading into this weekend, but she didn't take long to catch my attention. At 6'2", she brings plenty of size to the front row, but there is much more to her game than just her height. Pahl has a quick, powerful swing and already shows a well-developed toolbox of shots. She was constantly looking for ways to find open court, whether that meant swinging with power, changing up her shot, or attacking different areas of the defense. She plays with the mindset of finding a way to score, and that combination of size, power, and versatility makes Pahl an intriguing player to keep an eye on.     Bonde is a young, up and coming player I had the chance to watch in her first match of the season. Playing up on JV, she quickly impressed with her versatility and ability to impact the game in a number of ways. Bonde can set, attack from the pin, play out of the middle, and basically step into whatever role her team needs. With so much versatility at a young age, Bonde is definitely a player on the rise and one we will be keeping an eye on as she continues to develop her skills and game.

Join Prep Dig using code “AVG30” for a discount on your initial membership.