A Closer Look: MN’s MaxPreps/AVCA Players of the Week

<p>Max Preps and the AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) recognize each state’s top volleyball weekly performer. Thus far, five Minnesota athletes have been recognized for their outstanding play this current regular season. Each is individually profiled below.</p> <p><em>Week of 8/26</em> <br /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="71677" first="Halle" last="Jansen"]</strong> - Eden Valley-Watkins | 5’11 | MH/OH | 2020 | Prep Dig #53<br /> Over an eight game stretch she produced 45 total kills for a 5.6 kills/set average while also contributing 29 digs, nine blocks, and seven service aces. In 2018 she was named a Central Minnesota all-conference selection due to her elevation and point scoring through multiple attack points. She is the biggest threat in the Eagles’ offense and her numbers indicate that given her attacking productivity in comparison to her teammates. Jansen has been a big factor for the Eagles for multiple seasons and that veteran experience is often unmatched. The Eagles are 14-5 overall.</p> <p><em>Week of 9/3</em> <br /> <strong>Mara Weisensel</strong> - Minnesota Valley Lutheran | 6’0 | MH | 2020<br /> Weisensel provides some of the best energy for her team anywhere. She is an active middle that transitions w<span style="font-size: 1rem;">ell and uses her vision to effectively and aggressively swing through gaps or with a cross-body shot around the block. Her early work to get off the net and available creates a lot of opportunities for her to swing in the Chargers’ offense. With a quick arm through her contact on the ball she can bring it to the floor with good pace. She also moves well between the pins to put up a great block. These skills along with her effort and leadership as a team captain have helped lead the Charges to an 11-4 overall record. Her weekly award came as a result of 33 kills, five digs, and four blocks in a single match. She recently recorded 22 total kills in a win over New Ulm Cathedral.</span></p> <p><em>Week of 9/9</em> <br /> <strong>Maddy Hornyak</strong> - Lakeville North | 5’10 OH | 2021 | Prep Dig #14, OH <br /> Arguably one of the hardest hitters in this junior class, Hornyak has asserted herself as a very reliable contributor within the full range of what the Panthers do. She can elevate and crush the ball as well as be a stabilizer for their ball control. As a key contributor for Nort<span style="font-size: 1rem;">h on the right side last season, she has shifted to the left side and has proven her versatility and terminating prowess to be highly effective on both pins. She was honored for her weekly performance that included averages of six kills and 4.75 aces per set and sources have her among the top ten in total kills for the 2019 season. Lakeville North is currently ranked #4 and a big threat for the class AAA crown with Hornyak as a primary weapon.</span></p> <p><em>Week of 9/16</em> <br /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="57521" first="Marlee" last="Turn"]</strong> - Kittson County Central | 5’8 | MH | 2020 | Prep Dig #86<br /> Perhaps underrated among the current athlete rankings for the senior class at #86, Turn is currently the state’s leader in total kills and is a returning class A all-state honorable mention selection. Her total of 102 kills along with 6.80 digs/set and 11 service aces earned her this weekly recognition. She has continued to produce at a high level and with great efficiency hitting at a .437 clip. She has been a mainstay for Kittson at the varsity level and has helped guide this year’s team to a current #7 ranking in class A and a legitimate shot to advance deep into the postseason.</p> <p><em>Week of 9/23</em> <br /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="10088" first="Kira" last="Fallert"]</strong> - Concordia Academy | 5’11 | OH | 2021 | Prep Dig #12<br /> Fallert was honored for her 87 Kills, 5.12 Digs/Game, and 9 Blocks over 17 sets played. She is among the best in the junior class and a big reason why Concordia is ranked #5 in class AA with a 13-2 record. Concordia advanced to the class AA state tournament in 2018 where they placed fourth ove<span style="font-size: 1rem;">rall. Fallert was a 2018 all-state honoree and is building a strong case for that same recognition this season while being the key catalyst for a return trip to state. She can score from multiple</span> locations across the net and has good movement with her arm in terminating with range, which is important given her work load. Her combination of power and finesse make her difficult to defend. She has great precision and location from the service line and defends well at the net both versus the middle and in making a dynamic move to the pin. </p>