March - whoa. That was a big month. This past month, I was able to be live at The JVA Showcase at the Wisconsin Dells, Northern Lights Qualifier, MidEast Qualifier, and Battle at the Bay. Some of these events were regional, some national, but either way there is a lot of talent that can play across plenty of college programs at the next level. My only PSA to PSA's (Potential Student Athletes) is to please use caution when chasing the division. There are a lot of ways you can have a positive experience at the next level and that looks different for everyone. Keep working, keep fighting, and stay open to what opportunities could be best for you. Here are athletes on the rise out of the Class of 2023 and 2024 who are starting to make a splash or continuing to make a splash this past month. Molly Romano - Nebraska Elite 16 Lohaki Class of 2024 - SetterSo athletic and just a floor general for her Nebraska Elite squad. I was able to watch multiple matches of Romano and her Elite teammates at the Northern Lights Qualifier. Each time she continued to impress me with how she was able to get her feet in position to distribute to an open attacker. She has such a savvy for the game and intangibles that you can't measure that are infectious for a positive way around her teammates. This Elite squad is going to be one to watch as qualifier season winds down. I would not count them out. J. PetersenP. PetersenPayton Petersen and Jadyn Petersen - Six Pack 16-1 Class of 2023 - Outside HitterIowa knows who Petersen Twins are (yes, the second pair), but I want to make sure the rest of the country does. They haven't finished their sophomore year and they have won five state titles - two basketball, two volleyball, and one track and field. Payton has been named captain of the all tournament team for volleyball and basketball. They both handle the ball extremely well and Payton is such a physical presence on the outside where she can hit a dime depending on how the defense is playing her. Six Pack will be at Show Me this weekend and will be looking to punch their ticket for a 16 Open bid. Reagan Barth - MAVS KC 17-1 Class of 2023 - Outside HitterI could watch this MAVS court all day with how they pass the ball and run such a fast tempo offense. They have already clinched an Open bid back in January at the Northern Lights Qualifier in Omaha and are consistently in the gold brackets when it comes to day three of major tournaments. Barth is an outside hitter who can hit a heavy ball as well as pass and serve receive to attack. She is accustomed to running a fast tempo which will translate to the next level nicely. Taylor McNear - CHAVC 17 Black Class of 2023 - Libero
The libero position has always been the most challenging for me to evaluate. At the open level, there are so many liberos who are high level, it is a matter of what they are looking for at the next level is where they end up. There are some liberos who are just athletes and others who are pure polished passers who maybe don't have the athleticism. McNear definitely is a blend of polished fundamentals and athleticism where she has the range to get the balls that are usually out of reach to others. She is in the heart of ACC country in Chapel Hill, North Carolina where she should have plenty of options to contribute at the next level.
Sophia Schneider - FC Elite 17 WhiteClass of 2023 - Setter/Outside Hitter
I've seen Schneider play since her 15s year where she has such athleticism and is so fun to watch play the game. She makes things happen out of nothing. Her skill set is extremely diverse where she can step in to run the show and set while also heading to either pin and blasting away. There really isn't a position she can't play. Throw a libero jersey on her and I'm sure she would make it work. She is usually pulling double duty most of the time where is a standout on the softball diamond as well.
Morgan Kealy - Kokoro 17-1 Class of 2023 - Setter
Another setter I've seen since their 15s year who has progressively improved and took massive gains in the past year to being one of the top available setters in Wisconsin. Kealy was an All State setter for River Falls High School in Wisconsin and plays for Kokoro out of St. Paul, MN. Kokoro has been able to successfully utilize Western Wisconsin athletes where they always have competitive squads. They will be heading to Louisville for the JVA World Challenge this weekend.
Kaia Caffee for @MNSelect - 2024 middle blocker. Scary potential! Select and TAV trading big swings like this back and forth. Some of the top 2023 and 2024s in the country. #meqpic.x.com/LTx6e7uDKL
Kaia Caffee - MN Select 17-1 Class of 2024 - Middle Blocker
Seeing Caffee on video does not do her justice. Watching her live courtside you can see her wingspan, her high touch, and major presence in the frontline. Her physicality for only being a sophomore is one of the best in her class. I thought initially she was a 2023 (just being vulnerable with my mistakes), but she is playing up a class and is a 2024. She has a great connection with setter, Stella Swenson and has a blend of power and fast twitch skill sets where she can do a lot of special things.
Shelby Kimm of @IowaRockets 📈📈📈 - major stock riser on the pin for 2023. Took over for Rockets against Madtown to snag set one. She's had a big day pic.x.com/6Y2ENAYSxm
Shelby Kimm - Iowa Rockets 17R Class of 2023 - Outside Hitter
I was able to see Iowa Rockets play at the Wisconsin Dells where they have a dynamic group of athletes and are one of the oldest, well known clubs out of Iowa. Kimm is extremely athletic and versatile where she can swing out of any front row positions and is a six rotation player. She is extremely well balanced in her skill set and will make the gym at the next level better. Iowa Rockets 17R will be playing in the Show-Me Qualifier 17 Open Division.
Molly Romano - Nebraska Elite 16 Lohaki
Class of 2024 - Setter
So athletic and just a floor general for her Nebraska Elite squad. I was able to watch multiple matches of Romano and her Elite teammates at the Northern Lights Qualifier. Each time she continued to impress me with how she was able to get her feet in position to distribute to an open attacker. She has such a savvy for the game and intangibles that you can't measure that are infectious for a positive way around her teammates. This Elite squad is going to be one to watch as qualifier season winds down. I would not count them out.
Reagan Barth - MAVS KC 17-1
Class of 2023 - Outside Hitter
I could watch this MAVS court all day with how they pass the ball and run such a fast tempo offense. They have already clinched an Open bid back in January at the Northern Lights Qualifier in Omaha and are consistently in the gold brackets when it comes to day three of major tournaments. Barth is an outside hitter who can hit a heavy ball as well as pass and serve receive to attack. She is accustomed to running a fast tempo which will translate to the next level nicely.
Taylor McNear - CHAVC 17 Black
Class of 2023 - Libero
The libero position has always been the most challenging for me to evaluate. At the open level, there are so many liberos who are high level, it is a matter of what they are looking for at the next level is where they end up. There are some liberos who are just athletes and others who are pure polished passers who maybe don't have the athleticism. McNear definitely is a blend of polished fundamentals and athleticism where she has the range to get the balls that are usually out of reach to others. She is in the heart of ACC country in Chapel Hill, North Carolina where she should have plenty of options to contribute at the next level.
Sophia Schneider - FC Elite 17 White
Class of 2023 - Setter/Outside Hitter
I've seen Schneider play since her 15s year where she has such athleticism and is so fun to watch play the game. She makes things happen out of nothing. Her skill set is extremely diverse where she can step in to run the show and set while also heading to either pin and blasting away. There really isn't a position she can't play. Throw a libero jersey on her and I'm sure she would make it work. She is usually pulling double duty most of the time where is a standout on the softball diamond as well.
Morgan Kealy - Kokoro 17-1
Class of 2023 - Setter
Another setter I've seen since their 15s year who has progressively improved and took massive gains in the past year to being one of the top available setters in Wisconsin. Kealy was an All State setter for River Falls High School in Wisconsin and plays for Kokoro out of St. Paul, MN. Kokoro has been able to successfully utilize Western Wisconsin athletes where they always have competitive squads. They will be heading to Louisville for the JVA World Challenge this weekend.
