Quad State Special: 2023’s Start To Commit
The Class of 2023 is starting to commit. With camps at various schools across the country, athletes are able to work with coaches, meet the team, and “officially” get on campus. From some of these camps will come offers and…
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Continue ReadingThe Class of 2023 is starting to commit. With camps at various schools across the country, athletes are able to work with coaches, meet the team, and “officially” get on campus. From some of these camps will come offers and commits. Here is a glance at some Class of 2023 commits from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin who have found their next home. This is my take on what these schools are getting out of each athlete after being able to watch them this past club season.
Illinois
I wanted to announce that I have verbally committed to the University of Illinois to continue my academic and volleyball career! I want to say a B1G thank you to my family, friends, teammates and coaches for supporting my dream! I-L-L!!!!🔷🔶🔷🔶 pic.twitter.com/72egvsL8Xb
— Lily Barry (@LilyBarry19) July 13, 2021
Lily Barry – University High – Illini Elite
Committed to Illinois
She’s staying home! Barry has grown up in the backyard of the University of Illinois prepping at University High and playing for Illini Elite. Barry is flat out electric. At only 5’7, she is one of the top attackers in her class and is so dynamic in how she can score points at a high level. When she heads to Illinois she will primarily become a backrow specialist as a DS or libero. With her ability to score points and ignite a crowd, I could see her as an outlet to swing out of the backrow. She will become a definite fan favorite for Illini fans and will have plenty of locals renewing their season tickets.
I am incredibly thrilled to announce that I have verbally committed to Ohio State University! Huge thank you to everyone who has supported me through everything, especially God, my family and my coaches. I’m so excited to be a part of OSU Volleyball. #B1G
Go BUCKEYES!! 🌰⭕️‼️ pic.twitter.com/9WyNAG6KpP— Grace Egan (@grace_egan7) July 26, 2021
Class of 2023 pin Grace Egan 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/VBrnSGErSO
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) September 19, 2020
Grace Egan – Sterling – Fusion
Committed to Ohio State
Egan has been an athlete watched by Big Ten coaches the past two years. In 2020, prior to the Covid shutdown she was playing for Fusion 17 Red as a 15 year old which included her high school teammates (and top recruits in the country) with Lexi Rodriguez (Nebraska), Bree Borum (Florida Gulf Coast), and Brooklyn Borum (Virginia). Egan is a six rotation outside who has such a heavy swing, a pure point scorer. She has an arm that will score points in the Big Ten and also wants the ball when it matters most. Prep Dig has the pleasure of getting to watch Egan multiple times last fall during the Prep Dig Fall Tournament series when schools in Wisconsin and Illinois were without high school volleyball. With her commit to Ohio State, it will add plenty of Midwest recruiting momentum to the Buckeyes who are definitely on the rise.
Very grateful to announce that I have verbally committed to Purdue University to continue my academic and volleyball career. I’m so thankful for my amazing family, all my coaches, and teammates who have helped me achieve my dream! I can’t wait for the future!! BOILER UP 🚂💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/RQut1Mcoxx
— Kenna (@KennaWollard) July 18, 2021
Kenna Wollard – Illinois Valley Central – Illini Elite
Committed to Purdue
Wollard had plenty of top programs on her court at the JVA World Challenge in Louisville. Wollard teamed up with Barry for their Illini Elite 16 Cardinal squad for a successful run in 2021. Long, athletic, and a huge ceiling of potential, Wollard is a solid all around pick up that fits the style of a gritty Purdue program who is always in the mix come tournament time. Wollard can being plenty of power, but also has an extremely high IQ where she knows how to score points in a variety of ways.
Iowa
I’m so excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Evansville to further my education and play volleyball! Thank you to my family, teammates, coaches, and for being there for me throughout the process. I’m so excited to be an Ace! pic.twitter.com/Ey9LTo1yVG
— ChloeCline33 (@ChloeCline33) July 21, 2021
Chloe Cline – Pleasant Valley – Iowa Rockets
Committed to Evansville
Cline has been on the radar as a top middle prospect since she first came on the scene. At 6’1 with the ability to jump like a deer, she has expanded her game where she can play on the pin as well. Her versatility in the front row will be a threat in the Missouri Valley Conference where she will join her high school teammate, Kora Ruff at Evansville. Ruff is one of the top setters in the Class of 2022 in Iowa and verballed to Evansville at the end of 202. The two combined for back to back final four finishes for Pleasant Valley High School in the Quad Cities in Iowa’s large school class (Class 5A).
can’t wait to be a coyote❤️ pic.twitter.com/51uSrRVaVC
— avery van hook (@averyvanhook) July 21, 2021
Avery Van Hook – Marion – Iowa Rockets
Committed to South Dakota
Van Hook will be continuing the pipeline from Iowa (and Iowa Rockets) to South Dakota. The Coyotes, who have made the NCAA tournament two of the past three seasons have plenty of Iowans on their roster and have two coming in the Class of 2022 with Avery Beckett (Waverly-Shell Rock) and Alexis Moses (Cedar Rapids Prairie). Van Hook is someone you want on your side of the net. A setter who just finds a way to win, Van Hook has quick hands, a savvy sense for what her attackers need, and a left handed swing that opponents have to respect. She is coming off a runner up finish with her Iowa Rockets squad where she teamed up with Cline in the USAV – USA Division.
Minnesota
I am excited to announce my commitment to play Division 1 Volleyball & further my education at the University of Colorado! Thank you coaches, teammates, family & friends for your support and love! Grateful to @CoachMahoney @LeeMaes @evgellobato for this opportunity! 🖤💛#GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/djgpK2pmwc
— Avery Bolles (@averybollesvb) July 19, 2021
Avery Bolles – Andover – MN Select
Committed to Colorado
Bolles had a major breakout season for MN Select as they claimed an Open bid to USAV Nationals and finished in a tie for 13th in the country. She won’t be the only Minnesota athlete on the roster as Class of 2021 libero, Emma Tortenson from Northfield/Northern Lights. Bolles has plenty of intangibles every team wants. She finds a way to get it done when things are tight and wants the ball in the big moment. As a six rotation outside she can score out of the backrow while also bring a mix of shots from the outside to score at a high level.
Congratulations to Kate Thibault (16-1) on her commitment to play volleyball at the University of Oregon! pic.twitter.com/U5gAT4be6U
— Minnesota Select (@MNSelect) July 21, 2021
Kate Thibault – Watertown-Mayer – MN Select
Committed to Oregon
Illinois athletes stuck to the Big Ten while these two MN Select athletes are heading West. Kate Thibault will be a Duck. Thibault has always been an athlete who has played up in her age group and played on the 17s for MN Select last year prior to the Covid shutdown. A top libero in her class, she is also a state level gymnast. She has played at the varsity level for her high school team since she was in middle school (MN athletes can play varsity level in 7th grade). Her gymnastic ability is apparent as a libero with how she moves so easily on the court with great footwork, anticipation, and can cover plenty of ground.
Wisconsin
Lily Wagner – Germantown – Milwaukee Sting
Committed to Liberty
Wagner is one of the top six rotation outsides in the Class of 2023 in Wisconsin. There were plenty of options for Wagner on the recruiting trail. She is a top beach player in the state and even had some top programs take interest as a libero. No matter what position Wagner is playing, her competitive edge is something teams want on their side of the net. With her ability to take on a bulk of serve receiving and her creativity in scoring points, she is so valuable in plenty of ways for her squad. She will head to Liberty University which is in Lynchburg, VA and part of the Atlantic Sun Conference.