What To Watch For Over Presidents Day Weekend
Lets just have I35, I80, and I29 avoid having Elsa from “Frozen” touch those roads for Presidents Day weekend, that can be said for other interstates and airports throughout the country this weekend. I will be taking in the Asics Omaha Presidents Day Classic and the Triple Crown Sports Presidents Day Tournament in Kansas City. Athletes from coast to coast will be heading to the Midwest for some of the best volleyball in the country. Not only will top athletes be in action, but college coaches of every level can now be out evaluating. Quiet period is over! I feel like there should be opening ceremonies to welcome them all into the convention centers, I picture it to be much like the Hunger Games (the opening ceremonies, not recruiting) where coaches walk in sporting their school polos and jackets as we all give them applause.
Everyone is on a mission this weekend, including myself. Here is what I am looking forward to seeing and hopefully some questions answered after a weekend full of high level volleyball.
Dru Kuck of Milwaukee Sting 18 Gold.What coaches will be watching certain courts?
Come 8 AM Saturday morning, coaches will be placed strategically with their coffee in hand and for coaches at the Division 1 level, the excitement of being ready to get the recruiting journey started (or for some to seal the deal). There are plenty of players who have to be getting close. For example, Dru Kuck of Milwaukee Sting is a 2019 libero, former Wisconsin commit that is still available. She will be playing for Milwaukee Sting 18 Gold this weekend at Triple Crown and I’m curious to see who will be on her court. An absolutely physical and athletic player, she is just gritty and competes, a Power 5 conference athlete. There are bound to be plenty of coaches who will be there to seal the deal and also see who they are up against. Other coaches will be watching their commits, others visiting courts where they have offers out, and others trying to find brand new talent that is bursting onto the scene this year.
Northern Lights 15s and 16s Live
I have seen a lot of Minnesota teams play this year between the Molten Series, January Thaw, Big City Luau, and JVA MKE Jamboree. With how tournaments work out, it always seems like you see certain teams more than others, but seeing these two age groups from Lights will be exciting in Omaha. The 15-1 team has a strong, physical, and athletic team with two solid setters in Keya Luta Win Hunt and Abigail Jandro along with Julia Hanson, a high flying outside hitter. Watchout for Kendall Menta, a 6’3 right side that puts up a strong block and a heavy swing. As for Northern Lights 16-1, I’m looking forward to seeing Erin Lamb compete after watching her do a little bit of everything for Stewartville High School this past fall. The 16s will also have Ava Moes, a thunderous swing on the right side. Moes had a major breakout year for Lakeville South High School and will make quite the impact on the club circuit this year.
The Class of 2020 and 2021
When the recruiting rule changes went into effect last year, I think the Class of 2021 was probably hit the hardest. Many top tier athletes were taking unofficial visits and some probably closing in on their decision as to where they would play at the next level. As for the Class of 2020 they can now communicate a little easier with college coaches and can take official visits this year, being their Junior year. With potential more recruiting changes coming down the pipe will there be a flurry of commits from now until April 1? We’ll see.
Iowa and Michigan Teams
Iowa and Michigan are part of our Prep Dig Network and I have not seen a lot of their teams play. I am planning on seeing CIS and IPVA to name a few in Omaha and then CIA and Iowa PowerPlex in Kansas City. I know Michigan Elite and Legacy will be heading to Kansas City as well, with the Legacy 18s team being one of the favorites to compete for a title.
Navigating the Triple Crown
I really need to study all the courts in Kansas City as to how I’m going to pick the best matchups and what age levels – oh wait, every matchup is going to between top tier teams. There are athletes where it will be a prelude to potential final four matchups in the next couple of years. Some of these teams will meet multiple times this year with qualifier season looming and other top tournaments at Bluegrass, JVA World Challenge, and other national tournaments which will have the top teams competing week in and week out.
Consistency in Play and Body Language (That Goes For Parents Too)
If a player or parent emotionally blows up at an athletic event, it doesn’t take long for social media to spread it like cold in a second grade classroom. In big tournaments, such as ones over President Day, it’s easy to get wrapped up in one match, even one point. In coaching a questions is, “Did you play bad the whole game, or did you play bad for five minutes and let it bother you the whole game?” When I’m on courts, I notice consistency in body language and play. Are athletes playing that hard in every match? Do they only celebrate when they do well or do they celebrate when the team does well? There are so many things in volleyball where you may not necessarily have control over, but providing energy for your team is one.
Good Luck everyone, may Presidents Day Weekend ever be in your favor! That goes for you too Frozen Queen, Elsa!
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???? https://t.co/yd6IJ6SMYd pic.twitter.com/LcOut7CPxE— Prep Dig (@PrepDig) February 13, 2019