Turning Heads: Week 2 High School Playmakers

Join Prep Dig using code “AVG30” for a discount on your initial membership.   Week 2 of the high school volleyball season brought plenty of big performances and I had the chance to catch several players who made their presence felt. From putting up big numbers to making momentum changing plays at the net, running an efficient offense, or stepping up in the back row, these players found different ways to impact their teams. Some are familiar names I have watched numerous times, while others are just starting to jump onto my radar. Either way, these playmakers stood out over the past week and are worth keeping an eye on as the high school season continues.   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!    Hamilton has grown her game tremendously over the past year, especially on the attacking side. She has always been a strong presence at the net as a blocker, but her offense has really started to come around. Hamilton has gained more control in her swing while adding plenty of power, making her a much more dangerous attacking option. She does a good job varying her shots between line and cross court and has also developed the ability to mix in off-speed shots to keep defenders guessing.     Tlougan is another outside who has worked hard to develop her all around game. She has always been capable of taking a big swing, but she now looks more polished and controlled as an attacker. She is doing a better job of seeing the court, managing her swings, and finding ways to score rather than relying solely on power. Tlougan has also put a lot of work into her defense and serve receive, and that growth is showing on the court.     Wabasha-Kellogg has been steadily building its program over the last few years, and a recent win over Rushford-Peterson is another sign of that progress. Wobbe, their fierce middle, led the charge with eight kills and four blocks, showing just how effective she can be on both sides of the net. She reads the net well, gets herself in position to make plays, and has a heavy arm that allows her to put some serious heat behind her attacks. Her ability to make an impact both offensively and defensively makes her an important piece of Wabasha-Kellogg's success.     Dahl is a huge part of Lourdes volleyball and she showed exactly why in a recent five-set match against Byron. The setter put together an impressive all around performance with seven kills, 34 assists, 17 digs, three blocks, and four aces. I have had the chance to watch Dahl numerous times, and she is a natural leader and serious gamer who will do whatever her team needs to compete. Whether she is running the offense, defending, blocking, or putting pressure on opponents from the service line, Dahl finds ways to make an impact. That performance against Byron proved just how much she can do on the court.     Blocking is one of the most impactful yet underrated skills in high school volleyball. It is often an area that does not get a ton of attention in practice, but having an effective blocker who can shut down attackers, score points, and completely change the momentum of a match is a huge asset. Kenyon-Wanamingo has one of those players in [player_tooltip player_id='1039227' first='Ruby' last='Sjoblom']. In a recent win over Goodhue, Sjoblom was a force at the net, putting up an astounding 10 blocks to help her team secure the victory. A performance like that can change the entire complexion of a match, forcing hitters to adjust their shots and think twice every time they approach the net.     Weinberger is a new setter who has recently jumped onto my radar. Running a 6-2 offense, she has done a nice job finding her attackers and putting them in position to score. When she is running the offense, Weinberger has been putting up big assist numbers while showing the ability to distribute the ball and keep multiple attackers involved. She is definitely a setter I am looking forward to watching more as the season continues.

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