What Athletes Are Showing Major Gains Heading Into the 2020 Season?

What I love about summer events heading into a new high school season is a chance to see athletes and their improvement since their last high school season.  For me, it was seeing the Class 2023 start to take that next step where they were waiting their turn as a reserve or on the JV squad or they were the Freshman that was a bit wide-eyed and still figuring everything a year out. Others, it may be a chance in a new role or position where they are really starting to come into their element are are bound for a breakout year.  You can’t help but say, “What a difference a year can make!” 

@kyladunaway touching high and has improved so much in a year. Class of 2023 who is showing she can hit everywhere! Get her on the radar! 📈📈📈 pic.x.com/XgeXf91pgF

— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) July 10, 2020

Kyla Dunaway Kyla Dunaway 6'4" | RS Kimberly | 2023 State WI - Kimberly - Class of 2023 

Dunaway has been juggling basketball and volleyball throughout her whole athletic career, probably since she even began playing sports.  At the Prep Dig Sizzle, Dunaway showed she could swing anywhere on the front line, most recently the outside which with her athletic ability at 6’3, if she turned into an outside hitter it could be scary.  Her versatility and overall quickness has improved as well as confident presence on the court.  Kimberly had a talented Senior class last year where Dunaway saw time on the right side and middle, but with graduations and the overall improvement of Dunaway, she will be one who can contribute anywhere on the frontline. 

Class of 2023 Libero Monica Morales Monica Morales 5'4" | DS/L West Liberty | 2023 State IA for @IowaRockets has improved so much since last season. Composed, relaxed platform. Money in serve receive. pic.x.com/EGGRF1GfvO

— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) July 10, 2020

Monica Morales Monica Morales 5'4" | DS/L West Liberty | 2023 State IA - West Liberty (IA) - Class of 2023

The game has just slowed down for Morales.  She started at libero as a Freshman for West Liberty and had a great season where they advanced to the Class 3A state tournament.  Seeing her play for the Liberty All Stars at the Prep Dig Sizzle, the game seemed to slow down for her.  She was anticipating, her read on the attacker was spot on, which ultimately made passing look easy for her.  She’s owned the back court for the Comets, but now she’s developing into the next leader at West Liberty. 

KC Fortune a Class of 2023 pin really showing her improvement in her swing and overall strength. Her ceiling is so high! pic.x.com/TH8sCXN6LN

— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) July 9, 2020

Karissa Fortune Karissa Fortune 6'2" | OH Appleton North | 2023 State WI - Appleton North - Class of 2023

Karissa Fortune Karissa Fortune 6'2" | OH Appleton North | 2023 State WI or “KC” as what you’ll hear her be called by most teammates and coaches started for North as a Freshman, showing that she could compete among some of the best.  At 6’2 and long, she was someone who could spot her swing and was highly efficient.  Seeing her play at the Sizzle, there was power on her swing, an aggressiveness, an overall improvement of strength.  A lot of growth for Fortune since her Freshman year where the ceiling is incredibly high for her.  She will be in attendance at the Prep Dig Summer Showcase in August. 

The Waterloo Sophomores

Sophia Schneider Sophia Schneider 5'10" | S Waterloo | 2023 State WI , Michaela Riege Michaela Riege 5'7" | DS/L Waterloo | 2022 State WI , and Rylee Duessler Rylee Duessler 5'9" | OH Waterloo | 2023 State WI made up half of the starting lineup for Waterloo as they went on to the semifinals in D3.  It was new, it was fast especially when they would see top tier competition, and they were finding their roles.  At the Prep Dig Sizzle, they just seemed so calm, they knew the speed and expectation.  Sophia Schneider Sophia Schneider 5'10" | S Waterloo | 2023 State WI stepped into set along with Brooke Mosher Brooke Mosher 5'11" | S Waterloo | 2021 State WI which allowed Joslyn Wolff Joslyn Wolff 5'10" | OH Waterloo | 2021 State WI to attack in all rotations.  Again, what a difference a year makes when you have athletes develop into their role and show all around improvement. 

Kennedy Schmitz - Fox Valley Lutheran - Class of 2023

Schmitz is legit.  Put her on the board as a rising Class of 2023 libero.  Even from when I saw her early on of club in January to where she is right now, once again, the speed of the game looks easier for her.  She is making more intentional movements anticipating instead of reacting.  FVL has talent across all levels, but the Class of 2023 with this group is really special. 

Addison Schmotzer Addison Schmotzer 6'2" | MB Edgewood | 2023 State WI - Edgewood - Class of 2023

Schmotzer got her feet wet as a Freshman last year for Edgewood where they rattled off over 30 wins.  However, seeing her not even a year later at the Prep Dig Summer League at Sting, she’s grown, is connecting well with setter Ella Foti Ella Foti 6'0" | S Madison Edgewood | 2021 State WI and is showing, along with middle Ally Barth Ally Barth 6'0" | MB Edgewood | 2022 State WI a major presence for the Crusaders.  I can’t help but she flashes of former Waunakee/Capital middle Kiana Schmitt Kiana Schmitt 6'3" | MB Waunakee | 2019 State WI who is now at Creighton.  Long, athletic, touches extremely high, and will only continue to improve. 

Kyleigh Coghlan Kyleigh Coghlan 5'6" | DS/L Kettle Moraine | 2023 State WI - Kettle Moraine - Class of 2023

Coghlan was the only freshman named to the D1 All Tournament team last year as KM lost to Oconomowoc in five sets.  Seeing her at Summer League on Sunday, she was once again those athletes where the game has slowed down with a mature presence on the court.  She will continue to be a floor leader for Kettle Moraine who will look to get back to the state tournament. 

Cadence Maxfield - Green Bay Notre Dame - Class of 2022

Maxfield is one of those utility players who can do whatever a team needs her to do.  Last year she split setting duties for the Tritons, but this summer has shown flashes of being able to score points swinging on the right side.  Notre Dame always has great athletes on their squad as they will be one of those who can sneak up to the top of the FRCC and will continue to be a contender in their section which is loaded this year! 

Autumn Flynn Autumn Flynn 5'11" | MB Luxemburg-Casco | 2023 State WI - Luxemburg-Casco - Class of 2023

Isabel Otradovec - Luxemburg -Casco - Class of 2023

These two athletes played a total of 17 sets in 2019….sets not matches.  The Spartans had two Senior middles in Holly Baierl Holly Baierl 5'11" | MB Luxemburg-Casco | 2020 State WI (UW-Oskosh) and Cassie Flynn Cassie Flynn MB Luxemburg-Casco | 2020 State WI (Northwestern - St. Paul), who is the older sister to Autumn.  Seeing them play in the summer, Flynn and Otradovec have been on fire.  They can run a variety of routes and connect extremely well for being the middle of the summer with Emma Johnson Emma Johnson 5'10" | S Luxemburg-Casco | 2022 State WI .  With any good program, its the next one up when top athletes graduate which is definitely the case with Flynn and Otradovec.