Players Jumping on My Radar From the MN 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>The Minnesota Up Next Showcase gave me a chance to get an early look at some of the young talent coming up in the state. There were setters who caught my eye, attackers who could put some heat on the ball, and defenders who were quick, relentless, and never seemed to stop moving. It is always fun getting to see these younger players before they really make their mark, and I'm excited to see how much they grow over the next few years. Here are some of the names that stood out to me and that I'll be keeping an eye on as they continue to grow and develop their games.</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":["1001967"],"_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-6a7895a5d26ef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brown showed a nice range of skills at the showcase. She can drop back and take serve receive and then quickly and effectively transition out and attack. Defensively, she showed that she can make plays and isn't afraid to get after the ball. She has all the makings of a six rotation outside on the rise and she will be a fun one to keep an eye on 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":["1011627"],"_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-6a7895a5d2739"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Damro showed a lot of poise and grit at the showcase. She has a solid float serve and did a nice job using a split step in serve receive to stay balanced and ready to move. Defensively, she reads the attackers well and does a good job getting herself into position to make a play. She was one of those players who just kept working and competing. As she continues to grow her game, she is another young defender I'll be keeping tabs on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["985802"],"_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-6a7895a5d2769"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At these showcases with younger players, we usually have them go through a variety of drills so we can get a feel for their overall skill set. While she is listed as a libero/DS, she was actually a lot of fun to watch from the pins. She may be on the shorter side, but she is a fiery attacker who isn't afraid to take a big swing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, which libero/DS is her preferred position, she really stood out. She does a nice job running through the ball and I liked how consistently she was able to deliver her passes and digs toward the middle of the court. She showed that she can bring some offensive firepower while also being a tough defender in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1015274"],"_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-6a789b1d388a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meyer is a pin who showed a nice range of skills at the showcase. She can turn the ball down the line, roll it, or tip it. I also liked that she wasn't just getting up and swinging blindly. She was reading the block in front of her and making adjustments based on what she saw. Since Meyer is from my area, I'll get the chance to keep tabs on her once the high school season gets rolling in the next month or so, and I'm looking forward to seeing how her game continues to grow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["996359"],"_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-6a789b1d388f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Dahlen was steady in passing, tracked down balls all over the court, and wasn't afraid to step in and set out of system balls when needed. That kind of skill isn't something you see often in this young age group. She was also one of the younger players at the showcase as a 2032, but you would never have known it by the way she played. Dahlen fit right in with the older players. She is definitely one I'll be keeping an eye on as she continues to develop and grow her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1016031"],"_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-6a789ec570415"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm going to admit it, Conaway had me a little confused. I was watching her during the positional work, and she was hitting effectively and was probably one of the more consistent serve receivers I saw all day. Then I looked back to my roster and realized she is actually a setter (which I also got to watch her do during the showcase later on).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honestly, that's exactly what you want in a young player. Conaway has a wide range of skills and looks comfortable doing just about anything you ask her to do. She can play multiple positions and she doesn't look out of place in any of them. She's the kind of player you can always find a spot for on the court and that versatility is going to take her a long way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->