SW Minnesota Challenge: The Super Sophomores
As Freshmen, it’s easy to be a little bit overwhelmed when coming into high school ball. Yes, they may have played in plenty of club tournaments, national club tournaments, matches with plenty on the line, but to be on the floor with new teammates, opponents with a variety of skill levels the stakes are a bit different. Now enter Sophomore year, athletes have been through all of that, they know what to expect. A lot of coaches will say the most growth is seen between the Freshman and Sophomore year at the high school and college level. The Southwest Minnesota Challenge was full of “Super Sophomores”
Sophia Jesewitz – Outside Hitter – Wayzata
At 6’3 and a six rotation outside, Jesewitz is the prototypical big time outside hitter. A high reach and contact point, Jesewitz is a tough match up on the pin and is also a threat to score out of the backrow. She has the makings and tools to be a big time college prospect and the training at Wayzata and MN Select to give her the chance to really develop into one of the best outside hitters in her class.
Jasmine Weidemann – Setter – Lakeville South
Weidemann is so smooth and yet incredibly scrappy on the court running the fast tempo offense of Lakeville South . With her quickness she is always able to get her hands on the ball to give her hitters a chance to swing. For only being a Sophomore she is already starting to master the art of deception being tough to read of what type of set she is going to put up in system. For some setters, everyone in the gym knows where they’re going with the ball, but not Weidemann, she’s got it.
Karsee Kampsen – Setter – BBE
BBE is really scrappy and gritty all around. Finishing in the top half of the field and the second highest Class A finisher behind Minneota, they have some really great all around players. Karsee Kampsen is a 5’8 left handed setter who can play great defense, run a quick tempo offense, and can be physical at the net. Some of the players I watched this weekend I was surprised to see “GRADE 10” listed by their name due to the maturity they played with. Kampsen definitely fits into that category.
Camille Libert – Middle Blocker – Prior Lake
Libert stands at 6’1 with a high reach and solid snap on the ball. Prior Lake also has setter Lainey VanHecke as a Sophomore and these two can be a lethal setter/middle combo in the next couple of years. When Prior Lake is in system, Libert is one you have to respect because she will put the ball down as soon as it leaves the setters hands.
Ava Moles – Pin Hitter – Lakeville South
Moles is extremely strong and physical in the front row putting up a big block at 6’3. A match up nightmare for opponents she can stop an opposing teams outside hitter and score points herself. Lakeville South has a great balance, with a solid group of Seniors, but also a talented mesh of underclassmen which keeps the Cougars on the radar the next few years for sure!
Tori Moe – Outside Hitter – New Prague
At 5’11, Moe can score from any spot on the court. An extremely athletic player she can start putting pressure on the defense with a dirty float serve that dances across the net. She is also a solid outlet for the Trojans on either pin.
Lauren Crowl – Right Side – Eastview
Powerful and dynamic. A really dangerous combination to have, but Crowl has it for Eastview. At 6’2, she has the high contact point, but then add on that she is very athletic and left handed and it’s even more of a threat to score. Her swing is tough to defend because the ball comes off to heavy off her swing which makes it incredibly tough to defend.
Liberos
Emma Torstenson – Northfield
Ellie Pesch – Minneota
These two players were both mentioned in the top liberos of the tournament this past weekend and it wouldn’t be fair to not include them as some of the top Sophomores to play this past weekend. Both are on teams who will be making some noise in the post season starting with their first contact in serve receive which keeps their teams in system. For Torstenson, she is passing into an offense full of height and power where Pesch is passing into an offense of tempo and efficiency. Either way both offenses need that solid first contact.