Freshman Showcase: Players on the Rise

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Join Prep Dig using code “AVG30” for a discount on your initial membership.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the Freshman Showcase a week or so ago, I got a good glimpse at some of Minnesota's (and some neighboring states) rising talent. While I wasn't able to write about everyone right away, there are a few players who have stuck with me for one reason or another. Sometimes it's a big swing, a great defensive play, a smart decision, or just the way a player carries herself on the court. These are a few of the young players I'm looking forward to seeing again as the prep season gets underway.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1002893"],"_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-6a8263bbe218d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><br>McCarthy is a pin hitter who can take a big swing both cross court and down the line, identifying herself early as an attacker that can score in multiple ways. She also does a lot of the little things well that can make a big difference on the court. She covers well in off blocker defense, transitions quickly, and is solid handling free balls. With her ability to contribute in both the front and back rows, she has all the makings of an up and coming six rotation player.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["981174"],"_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-6a82651996132"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Schmaltz impressed me at the Freshman Showcase and I can't wait to see her take the court when the prep season officially starts tomorrow. Regardless of whatever level she ends up playing at, I know she will make a difference. She is quick to the ball, has a strong core, and consistently delivers solid, hittable balls to her attackers. She sees the court well and isn't afraid to take advantage of an opening with a well timed setter dump. She has a nice mix of athleticism, court awareness, and skill that make her a freshman on the rise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["996635"],"_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-6a8271a9d6486"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brundage is a setter on the rise who caught my attention with her ability to read the court and make smart decisions. She knows how to isolate an attacker, finds her middles well, and consistently puts up a solid ball for her pins. One area where she really excelled was handling passes that were too tight to the net. She does a great job using her body and footwork to avoid the net while still getting a hand on the ball and keeping the play alive. With several tools already developed, she is a setter going places.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["965415"],"_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-6a8273061d326"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Whinnery is a libero/DS who looks like she was made for passing. She creates good angles, keeps her hips behind the ball, and is steady and smooth in her passing. She presents her platform early, holds her angle to the target, and consistently puts herself in a good position to deliver a solid pass. There is also a calmness to her that makes her a reliable presence in the backrow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["897061"],"_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-6a827856ec19b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I know Hoffman is listed as a middle and outside, and she definitely showed those skills at the Freshman Showcase. But honestly, Hoffman is just a baller. She can pass, set, backset, and even dig. There really isn't a spot on the floor where she can't step in and contribute, and for a young player, that says a lot. Her versatility is going to be one of her biggest strengths as she continues to develop. She has the kind of all around game that will make her a player coaches can trust to put on the court in just about any role.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["949514"],"_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-6a827856ec21a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Havlish jumped onto my radar at the Freshman Showcase because, as a young pin hitter, she showed that she can do a little bit of everything. She hustled after every ball, transitioned quickly, and did a good job covering her fellow attackers. She was also solid in free ball passing. At the net, she showed that she can vary her shots, mixing in big swings with well placed rolls and tips when the situation called for it. Her effort, versatility, and all around play stood out, and she looks like a player who will continue to make an impact as she grows and develops her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->