Fitz’s “Live Eye” ’25 Impact Players of the Year – The Midwest
Over the course of a year between club season, camps, high school season, and showcases I see hundreds of athletes, maybe even four digits. I have taken plenty of notes, I write articles, but sometimes I take time and think…
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Continue ReadingOver the course of a year between club season, camps, high school season, and showcases I see hundreds of athletes, maybe even four digits. I have taken plenty of notes, I write articles, but sometimes I take time and think back to the athletes who really stand out. Here are athletes who left an impact, an impact where I don’t need notes for these athletes – they are that good on a national level. For these athletes, I may have seen some of them across multiple platforms (club and high school) and they have shown they can play among the best. I always think there is so much growth from the 15s to 16s year with athletes having a greater sense of self, more training, and are coming into their own on and off the court. I’m so excited to watch them in 2023, but first lets celebrate the “Live Eye Impact Players of the Year – 2025 Edition).
Leimbach is big time, she’s one of the top liberos in the Class of 2025 out of Nebraska. I was able to see her and her Nebraska One team out of Lincoln at multiple events in 2022. The higher the stakes, the bigger Leimbach plays. She wants the ball, she’d play the whole court if she could. Whether it’s serve receive or digging, she has the knack for providing a solid first contact as well as keeping her team poised no matter how big the moment is. Her court presence and intangibles are through the roof as she demonstrates great court leadership. Her club team has played together for years and will once again be a 16s team to watch this upcoming season.
Abby Vander Wal
Abby Vander Wal
Vander Wal was an early standout in 2022 where she has a lot of length as a big time point scoring outside and can play six rotations as well. At 6’3, she is a Big Ten type athlete from Chicagoland, plays for one of the top clubs in Chicago and the nation in 1st Alliance, and has a big time foundation for an all around skill set, incredibly well trained. What was impressive about 1st Alliance was how they started the year off winning Triple Crown NIT blazing through the competition. had a mini slump during the qualifier season, but then finished hot, winning some big matches late at USAV 15 Open to claim 5th. This is a really solid group and will be a top 16s team this upcoming season.
One of the top six rotation outside hitters in the Class of 2025, Quest will be a must-get for Big Ten schools in this upcoming club season heading into June 15. She spent 2022 playing up on the MKE Sting 16 Gold team along with another top 2025 prospect, Gabriella Pitcel that qualified for USAV 16 Open. This past fall Quest was one of the top players in all of Wisconsin where she led her team to a large school state title where she collected all tournament honors and 25 kills in the state title match. She can score points with precision, but what really stands out about her game is her ability to serve receive in high pressure situations.
I was able to see Hayes during the club and high school season where she saw success at both levels. Hayes and her Six Pack 15s team had a huge performance at the Windy City Qualifier where they earned a 15 Open bid. What makes Hayes a little different is her ability to score out of the backrow and a legitimate threat in every rotation. Her side is never out of system when she is available to swing. She had a big high school season for North Scott out of the Quad Cities area where she was a 1st Team All State pick in Class 4A.
From seeing Flynn at Central Zone in January to USAV Nationals at the end of June, she demonstrated that she was one of the best setters in the Class of 2025. Long, athletic, and physical, she has such great command of the court. Her club team, Legacy 15 Adidas won the national title for 15 Open at AAU’s where she was named MVP of the tournament. Just over a week later, LEgacy would finish in the top ten of USAV 15 Open. With new staffs at Michigan State and Michigan, Flynn will be one extremely high on the radar for these two programs as well as the rest of the Big Ten.
So dynamic! That’s an understatement. Brown quarterbacked Circle City 15 Purple this past season where all she did was win. She was another athlete I noticed right away at Central Zone and was the type of player who just charged up the court with energy. She also does it all from being a gritty defender, finding the best matchup for her attackers, and being a force at the net. Her intangibles are through the roof positive. Circle City continues to develop high level setters who are well trained, all around players. This will be an exciting upcoming club season for Brown.
I forget these two athletes are from the Class of 2025. Mullen has been on the radar since she was in 7th grade and Messer has blended so well with the Dynasty team from the Class of 2024. Mullen and Messer played up on the Dynasty 16s this past year that featured some big time talent. They were champions of NIT Triple Crown and continued to win qualifiers all season. Mullen was on the U19 National Team where she was one of the youngest athletes along with Cari Spears. She is so smooth and poised for only being a sophomore in high school. Messer brings a grittiness to the court where her speed and athleticism is tough to top. She has great footwork, gets her hands to the ball, and like all setters at this level – she finds a way to win.