Top Illinois Attackers Bring The Power At Asics Challenge

A big arm is nice, however when it comes to being a top attacker it takes an aggressive approach, an explosive jump and the ability to see the court for a big swing or even a roll shot right over the block.  This weekend at Mother McAuley, some of the top attackers at the high school level were in town to do battle. Back and forth with big blasts and smart rolls, finding any way they could to score points. Here is Part 1 of top attackers at the Asics Challenge. 

Gwendolyn Wolkow Gwendolyn Wolkow 5'11" | OH Downers Grove North | 2022 State #146 Nation IL - Downers Grove North 

Heavy swing.  Heavy, heavy swing.  There is just a certain sound to the ball when Wolkow makes contact.  She is tough to block and she finds a way to split the block to score points.  She is definitely a key factor for DGN with her ability to aggressively attack and score points. 

Katie Hurta Katie Hurta 6'0" | S Nazareth | 2022 State #14 Nation IL - Nazareth 

Hurta is a special player.  One of the top players out of the Class of 2022, what is scary is that as good of a hitter Hurta is, she can also set.  Hurta and setter, Ella Sandt Ella Sandt 5'11" | S Nazareth Academy | 2020 IL were connecting all weekend long for a Nazareth team who is really starting to build some momentum.  Hurta is physical and so solid in all six rotations. She has a knack for finding the open spot and plays with such IQ and a blend of power. 

Such a fast approach and swing for Amioa Owolabi of Mother McAuley. pic.x.com/DRVYX2BSBg

— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) October 5, 2019

Amioa Owolabi - Mother McAuley 

So fast to the ball.  Being left-handed and very dynamic, Owolabi is so explosive with her approach, the swing just kind of takes care of itself.  Mother McAuley was able to place third overall with a loss to Marist in the semifinals but bounced back to defeat Assumption out of Louisville, KY who is always one of the top programs in the country.  Owolabi plays with great composure and is able to score points when her team needs it the most. 

Connie LeBel - Mother McAuley 

Fundamentally sound and well trained, LeBel attacks and brings a lot of power generated from a textbook approach and swing.  With LeBel on the outside and Owolabi on the right, this really spreads the defense out, allowing the Mighty Macs to run a well-balanced attack where they have plenty of hitters who can put the ball to the floor. 

Holly Kropke picking up where she left off from last night for @Minooka_VB pic.x.com/LsVealTPAx

— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) October 5, 2019

Holly Kropke - Minooka

Minooka is one of the most athletic teams I’ve seen this year which includes the top teams in Wisconsin and Minnesota.  Everyone on their team is quick and strong which makes them tough to stop in system. Kropke is an outside hitter who brings a lot of power behind her swing.  She is tough to defend when she can go crosscourt giving fits to the opposing outside hitter and left back defender. 

Hailey Sperling - Minooka

Sperling plays out of the middle and is uber quick.  She can get to either pin to block, but her ability to work fast in transition makes her available and a tough attacker to stop with a fast tempo set.  A major matchup nightmare for the opposing side of the net with her quick arm swing and physicality. 

Briana Brown- Marian Catholic 

Brown can definitely draw a big reaction from the crowd with her leaping ability and how she can just thump on a ball set to the outside.  She was connecting well with setter, London Hatch for a Marian Catholic squad who was extremely dynamic. Brown is tough to defend, especially when she has time to transition in system.  Her swing is dynamite.