Names to Know from MN’s Up Next Showcase

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Join Prep Dig using code “AVG30” for a discount on your initial membership.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minnesota's Up Next Showcase is a great place to get an early look at some of the young talent coming up through Minnesota. This year's event featured players from the 2031, 2032, and 2033 classes. I wasn't quite sure what to expect from such a young group, but I was pleasantly surprised by the level of talent on the courts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a lot of potential in these classes, and it was fun to see so many young players willing to compete, make plays, and show off their skills. Some of them are still figuring out their games, but there were plenty of players who caught my attention. I'm excited to keep an eye on these groups and see how they grow and develop over the next few years. Minnesota definitely has some good talent coming up!</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":["1014794"],"_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-6a7892c05b7a4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I love lefties. So, it was no surprise that Lebens caught my attention before play even started. During warmups, the athletes started playing Queens and I noticed her taking some big swings right away. She carried that same aggressive swing into the positionals and scrimmages</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lebens showed a lot of range as an attacker at the showcase. For such a young player, it was impressive that she is able to terminate with power from both the left and right pins, out of the middle, and even out of the backrow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1015200"],"_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-6a7892c05b808"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Deyoung caught my attention with the power she showed from both the left and right pin. She took some big swings and did a nice job finding ways to terminate the ball. What stood out just as much, though, was her work in the back row. She had several impressive digs from the corners and clearly works just as hard on defense as she does on offense. Deyoung showed that she can make an impact on both sides of the ball making her a young 6 rotation player with a bright future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1002063"],"_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-6a7892c05b844"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Purifoy was definitely one of my favorite setters at the showcase. She has a pretty impressive range for such a young player. She can reverse the ball against the flow, delivers a clean ball to her pins, and did a nice job getting her middles involved. I also really liked how calm she was on the court. She was constantly communicating with her teammates and consistently looked in control of the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["986439"],"_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-6a7892c05b88c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pham looked like a natural on the court and a true leader. She was willing to step into whatever position was needed and never seemed out of place. Her passing in the back row was one of the things that really stood out to me at the showcase. She is controlled, gets her platform out early, and does a great job putting herself in position to make a play. When she attacked, I liked how quickly she transitioned and got to the ball. On top of that, she hustled all over the court and was one of the best communicators on the day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1006946"],"_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-6a7892c05b8c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's hard to use the word consistent with such a young age group, but Amponsah was definitely one of the most aggressive and steady attackers I saw all day. She can attack from either pin and also took some big swings out of the middle. I liked how well she used her vertical to get on top of the ball and create a good angle on her attacks. We are definitely going to be keeping tabs on her because, while she is still young, I think it's safe to say she is going to be a big time player to watch as she continues to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["983655"],"_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-6a7892c05b8f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hizo showed that she is a backrow beast. She may be small in stature, but she is quick, anticipates well, and seems to be everywhere on the court. She also has good hands and can step in to make an out of system sets which you don't always see from younger players. Her court was also short on setters, so Hizo stepped in and took on that role when needed. She handled it well and showed that she can do more than just defend. That kind of versatility and willingness to do whatever her team needed is an asset and will take her far. We will be keeping tabs on her. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->