Gems from the Minnesota Up Next Showcase

Join Prep Dig using code “AVG30” for a discount on your initial membership.   Coverage of the Up Next Showcase continues! Below are a few more of the players who stood out to me, each bringing their own mix of grit, grace, and growth to the court. Some of these players have already caught my eye, and I have a feeling I'll be watching (and writing about) them for years to come. These are a few more young players who made an impression and are ones I'll definitely be keeping an eye on as they continue to grow and develop their games.   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 seen Kurtz play earlier this year at another tournament, and she was a standout then and still is today. She continues to impress every time I watch her. She has a big swing and can put pressure on a defense, but she also brings a lot to the game in passing and defense. Her hands are another part of her game that really stand out. Kurtz can set out of system and does a great job stepping in to set when she takes a free ball, helping keep the offense moving at a quick pace.     Keys was another player who impressed me at the Up Next Showcase. She has a solid float serve and used it to rack up the aces. She was also a scoring machine at the net, showing off a big swing and the ability to hit both down the line and cross court depending on what the defense was giving her. She kept finding ways to put the ball away and was a tough player to slow down.     Sutherland has the makings of a really good volleyball player. She is athletic, smart, focused, and plays with a purpose. She swings with both power and intent and hustles on every single play. In addition to her big swing, she transitions quickly and can find ways to score in multiple ways. She is still a young outside hitter, but she has a lot of tools to work with and a very bright future ahead of her.     Sandy was an attacker who showed off quite a range at the net. She can cut the ball to either corner and has a nice reach that allows her to get her hands on just about any ball sent her way. She also showed her versatility, attacking from all three front row positions and looking comfortable no matter where she was lined up. She has a lot of tools in that toolbox of hers and it was fun to watch her use them at the Up Next Showcase.     Schoeneck was quite the attacker from the right pin. She does a great job tracking the ball over her shoulder and can really put some zip on her swings. She had several attacks that were simply too tough for even some of the best defenders to handle on the day. She also brings a lot of energy to the court and is a true hustler, chasing down balls and making plays whenever she can. She was a fun player to watch and definitely caught my attention.     Raveling was one of the toughest serve receivers I saw all day. She is technically advanced for her age and does a great job staying composed and balanced in serve receive. She also has the ability to set out of system with her hands, which adds another layer to her game. Defensively, she does a great job running through the ball and reading attackers, putting herself in position to make plays before the ball is even hit. Raveling is a libero on the rise, and I'm excited to see how her game continues to develop.

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