Closing Observations from Presidents’ Day Classic
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ST. LOUIS – I’ve already posted stories and photo galleries from last weekend’s Presidents’ Day Classic, so please check them out if you haven’t already. As usually is the case in these bigger tournaments, I couldn’t fit all of my…
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Continue ReadingST. LOUIS – I’ve already posted stories and photo galleries from last weekend’s Presidents’ Day Classic, so please check them out if you haven’t already. As usually is the case in these bigger tournaments, I couldn’t fit all of my observations in those other content items.
These aren’t the leftovers but a collection of scouting takeaways and thoughts that didn’t work in a previous category. We’re used to call it “emptying the notebook” in journalism days gone by, but reporters don’t often use notebooks anymore.
Here goes…
-I’ve now watched Adrenaline 15 Maddie multiple times this season. It’s entertained and impressed.
The group still is coming together as a team but boasts some high-level potential as a squad and from an individual standpoint.
Sophia Meester has experienced great development in her game since the prep season. She’s shown more explosion off the court and a much-improved swing. Meester has been playing six rotations, performing well throughout, and certainly should already be on the radar of college coaches.
Setter Lila Eastvold flashes promise with a burgeoning skill set to go with good height and arm length at the position. Addison Phillips Addison Phillips 5'10" | MB Kennedy | 2027 IA is a prospect to watch in the middle and libero Taylor Hoskins is one on which to keep an eye in the back row.
-After in-person looks at multiple tournaments, Iowa Rockets 17-1 featured college prospects. I mentioned outside Hargun Kaur Hargun Kaur 5'10" | OH Pleasant valley | 2025 State IA in another article from this event. She’s kept improving steadily since last summer.
Setter Taylor Ray Taylor Ray 5'9" | S Prairie | 2025 State IA could help programs at the next level with her consistency and court vision. Reise Neuhaus Reise Neuhaus OH Anamosa | 2025 State IA is an undersized outside that succeeds with good leaping ability, timing and power. Callie Huber is a very sound middle.
-College players can be found through multiple levels in a club’s age group. That’s the case with Adrenaline’s third squad.
We wrote about Amelia Miller in other article from this tournament. Colleges should have been on her, like, yesterday.
You can put Katelyn Castor in the next-level prospect pool with Miller. She plays six rotations, displaying ability in all spots with room for improvement.
-Adrenaline 17 Brooke continues making progress as the season advances. Much of that has to do with the head coach, former Dike-New Hartford and Kentucky standout, Brooke Morgan. Her detail and commitment to fundamentals helps her kids grow in the game.
I wrote about under-the-radar prospects from this event, which included two members of this squad – Adalyn Hermanson Adalyn Hermanson 5'9" | RS CR Kennedy | 2025 State IA and Vada Klunder Vada Klunder 6'1" | RS Hudson | 2025 State IA . They’ve received a lot of help from a group of players meshing as a unit.
Setter Madeline Mohr is sound fundamentally and consistent in her play. She mixes up her deliveries well and understands where her hitters like the ball.
Kelsey Klesner Kelsey Klesner OH Linn-Mar | 2025 State IA stands out as a prospect with versatility. She can handle back row responsibilities and also shows a solid swing from the outside.
Gracie Hoskins Gracie Hoskins 5'3" | DS/L Center Point-Urbana | 2025 State IA is a sound libero with traits you look for at the position. She anticipates well, gets low and moves smooth laterally. She passes cleanly on serve-receive, helping this outfit stay in system so its productive hitters can eat.