Tri-State Special: Available 2023 Setters and Liberos
There are a lot of talented 2023s still available. I’m attempting to build a team of available 2023s that would be a great fit at the next level. I always say “next level” because I really do not like labeling…
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Continue ReadingThere are a lot of talented 2023s still available. I’m attempting to build a team of available 2023s that would be a great fit at the next level. I always say “next level” because I really do not like labeling athletes by division. Everyone is looking for something specific at the next level and there are plenty of factors that go into their decision. Here are some options I’d be happy to take from the Class of 2023 from athletes I have seen play multiple times live.
Setters
Ava Schabes Ava Schabes 5'10" | S Whitney M Young Magnet | 2023 State IL – 1st Alliance 17 Silver
I’ve seen Schabes play since her 15s year. She played in our Summer Showcase coming out of the Covid lockdown and really stood out. She has continued to standout in how she can command a team, a true quarterback where she can get her feet to the ball on a scramble and put a ball up for her attackers to terminate. There is a high motor behind the game of Schabes. Her ability to play fast, yet under control is something that takes a lot of training and countless repetitions. This 1st Alliance 17 Silver team is dangerous, they have multiple weapons and a gritty defense.
Morgan Kealy Morgan Kealy 5'11" | S River Falls | 2023 State WI – Kokoro 17-1
Kealy plays her high school volleyball for River Falls High School out of Wisconsin, a Western Wisconsin power who is going on six straight state tournament appearances in Wisconsin’s largest class. Kealy was a 1st Team All State setter who receives the ball high and neutral, she has quick hands, a real feel for the game, and a really high IQ player. She plays her club ball for Kokoro out of St. Paul, MN where this club has benefitted from plenty of Wisconsin kids just across the Mississippi. At 5’10, Kealy can run the show as a 5-1 and is a real polished athlete where she can do a lot of positive things for her side of the net.
Huge left handed swing by right side Olivia Gustafson of Prime Time 17 Blue. This is a really aggressive squad, tight battle with Rapid Fire #pdstatelineslam pic.twitter.com/pdaAwESw1p
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) February 6, 2022
Olivia Gustafsson – Prime Time 17 Blue
Gustafsson and her Prime Time squad out of Central Illinois were real impressive at the Prep Dig Stateline Slam back in February. When I saw them play, the notes I took on Gustafsson was more of a question of “Who is this lefty who can jump out of the gym?”. She is a is 5’8, lefty handed and can set and swing. A Champaign Central standout, Gustafsson just finds a way to impact the game all over the court. Her performance definitely make a mark over that weekend.
Others To Note:
Rachel Koss Rachel Koss 5'11" | S Freedom | 2023 State WI – FC Elite 17 Navy
Rachel Rossing Rachel Rossing 5'9" | S Lake Country Lutheran | 2023 State WI – MKE Sting 17 Black
Evinae Jordee Evinae Jordee 5'9" | S Middleton | 2023 State WI – Capital 17 Adidas
Allie Barlow Allie Barlow 5'9" | S Cedar Rapids Jefferson | 2023 State IA – Iowa Rockets 17R
Alivia Jeanquart Alivia Jeanquart 5'7" | S Notre Dame Academy | 2023 State WI – Impact 17 National
Liberos
Ella Meyer Ella Meyer 5'5" | DS/L Western Dubuque | 2023 State IA – Six Pack 17-1
Meyer is coming off a big 2021-2022 season where she was a standout libero for Western Dubuque, winning a Class 4A state title in Iowa. She has been a mainstay for Six Pack 17-1 as their libero where she knows how to compete at a high level and is accustomed to winning. She plays with a spark and grit on the court where she can really add value at the next level. Meyer can really move and cover some range on the court as well as be a really consistent serve receiver. Six Pack will be competing at the National Division for USAV Nationals in Indy at the end of the month.
Ryleigh Zeller Ryleigh Zeller 5'5" | DS/L Wisconsin Lutheran | 2023 State WI – MVP ‘ last=”] 17 Blue
Zeller has been an important role for MVP ‘ last=”] since her 15s year. She was really key for them in their run to the AAU Premier Gold bracket where they tied for 5th. Zeller knows how to take pace off a hard driven ball and has a scrappy style of play where she can clean up the tips and an out of system second ball.
Becky Barrett – Illini Elite 17 Cardinal
I hadn’t seen Barrett live until Central Zone in January of this year and she has been making a big splash for Illini Elite . She’s like a water beetle on the court where she gets from place to place very quickly, anticipating the next touch while being in position to put up a clean ball. Illini Elite 17 Cardinal is going to be a definite threat in the 17 Open field in Orlando and the ball control of Barrett will be important for their success. They have two big point scorers in Lily Barry Lily Barry 5'7" | OH U-High | 2023 State #84 Nation IL and Kenna Wollard Kenna Wollard 6'1" | OH Illinois Valley Central | 2023 State #64 Nation IL and when they stay in system and get all of their attackers involved, they will be dangerous.
Others To Note
Olivia de Guzman – MKE Sting 17 Black
Kennedy Schmitz Kennedy Schmitz 5'2" | DS/L Fox Valley Lutheran | 2023 State WI – FC Elite 17 Navy
Monica Morales Monica Morales 5'4" | DS/L West Liberty | 2023 State IA – Iowa Rockets 17R
Kameron Brand Kameron Brand 5'6" | DS/L Mount Vernon | 2023 State IA – Adrenaline (IA)