Apple Valley Eagle Invite: MN Middles to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm very excited to catch some Minnesota High School Volleyball live next weekend at Apple Valley where they will host a great lineup of teams at the Eagle Invite. One of the first things I thought of when I saw the teams that would be attending is some of the middles for which I've been watching.&nbsp;&nbsp;There are a couple committed, but there is a lot of big talent to check out next weekend!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6325529a4e8c8","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["117645"],"_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_0_evaluation":"East Ridge is known for having a physical middle blocker patrolling the net, and Mattes has the foundation to be the next big impact middle for the Raptors. She is also a really effective right side, as she puts up a looming block and can attack behind the setter off 1 foot or 2.  Mattes moves well and will be one for which to watch in the next few years!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["86659"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Rosenberg's ability to move well laterally and knowing how to put herself in the best situations to score have really paid off for the Hawks.  She looks comfortable attacking off one foot and her speed certainly gives her some advantage to work around the opposing blockers.  Rosenberg's attacking strategy has landed her a commitment to Minnesota State Mankato next fall.  I am looking forward to seeing Rosenberg battle it out at the net against the young Schmidt on the [program_tooltip program_id='432165' first='[program_tooltip program_id='432165' first='[program_tooltip program_id='432082' first='[program_tooltip program_id='430384' first='Eagan' last='']' last='']' last='']' last=''] squad in their very first match.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["168255"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Riess is coming off a Class AAA State Championship and will take on Clemson commit [player_tooltip player_id='84949' first='Kate' last='Simington'] in the first round of play next weekend. Riess can run just about any route in a middle's playbook. She is versatile at the net and moves quickly so she is tough to keep track of.  When a blocker loses track of Riess, it often leads to a booming kill that ignites her team's energy.  I can't wait to see where her athleticism takes her.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["84949"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Simington was an important part of a Minnetonka squad that battled with Eden Prairie in Section 2 semifinals last year.  While she can run routes behind the setter, she is also effective at a quick tempo in front of the setter.  Simington poses an impressive block for opposing hitters.  Meanwhile, on the offensive side, she can totally demolish the ball.  As Simington has developed her skills with her 6'4 frame, she's made her commitment to Clemson.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["177424"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Schmidt was a consistent force when I saw her playing at the Prep Dig Gauntlet, and I could see her being a top terminating middle for the next few years in Minnesota.  [program_tooltip program_id='432165' first='[program_tooltip program_id='432165' first='[program_tooltip program_id='432082' first='[program_tooltip program_id='430384' first='Eagan' last='']' last='']' last='']' last=''] may be finding their way now, but they will surely be looking to make a post-season push, as well as a statement next weekend with their first match against Chaska. ,  Schmidt's high motor and aggressive style of play at the net will surely play a large part in any success they may have for the next few years.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["135316"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Wagner is an athlete who has potential to play multiple positions and terminate from anywhere along the net.  I even had the opportunity to see Wagner play some defense in the back row at the Prep Dig Gauntlet when her club team was down to 6 players after an injury. In a Gold Division match, she held her own!  Wagner is an impact player and knows how to find a way to do whatever her team needs from her.  She can pound the ball in a quick tempo attack, close the block from pin to pin, and has a pretty wicked serve to take teams out-of-system.  Wagner is one middle I will definitely be keeping an eye out for next weekend.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-64bdf2fa2f38b"} /--> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3><strong>More Middles to Watch For:&nbsp;</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>[player_tooltip player_id='196607' first='Abigail' last='Kelly']</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='196609' first='Amelia' last='Portinga']</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='73479' first='Annelise' last='Larson']</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='117647' first='Ava' last='Della Vedova']</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='86641' first='Ava' last='Hendel']</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='196608' first='Estella' last='Schoenfelder']</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='106366' first='Evelyn' last='Skattum']</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='196610' first='Grace' last='Hamilton']</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='73499' first='Grace' last='Wheeler']</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='73493' first='Kaitlyn' last='Sellner']</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='117639' first='Kathryn' last='Blahoski']</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='205530' first='Katie' last='Kelzenberg']</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='135307' first='Kelby' last='Opland']</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='174738' first='Kenzy' last='Beare']</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='191400' first='Mackenzie' last='Peters']</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='174725' first='Madeline' last='McDowell']</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='196603' first='Madison' last='Cerney']</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='166340' first='Randi' last='Wendorff']</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='177434' first='Reilly' last='Kurth']</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->