Class of 2021 Rankings Update: Top 50 Movement

Club season is upon us and rosters are being finalized with competition just around the corner. The incredible high school season we just witnessed included some terrific ’stock-rising’ performances, especially among the 2021 class of current juniors. Prep Dig’s updated rankings for this group includes several athletes that have moved up or into the top 50 for what is proving to be a class that has a lot of depth. The following athletes are among the best juniors and include some of the biggest movers based upon their play over the past few months. [player_tooltip player_id="71954" first="Kinsey" last="Cronin"] - 6’0 | MH | Medford | Prep Dig #35 Cronin’s presence this year was a big factor in Medford’s ability to extend their season to a second consecutive state tournament. Quickness and athleticism are some of her best attributes as she moves around the floor well to be available in transition as well as to put up good defensive pressure at the net blocking. She is a 2019 class A 1st Team All-State selection. [player_tooltip player_id="58029" first="Kali" last="Engeman"] - 6’1 | MH | Minnetonka | Prep Dig #12 One of the most prolific blockers in the 2021 class, Engeman is quick with great vision, patience, and explosiveness to seal the net. Offensively she is just as effective as her quickness benefits her extremely well. She stretches net defense often given the variety of attack points she operates through. She has great awareness in the air and utilizes her arm skills to swing with great pace in challenging a block or in swinging outside her frame through gaps. Engeman is dynamic and a huge reason Minnetonka had great success in 2019 finishing 4th at the state tournament. [player_tooltip player_id="72033" first="Abby" last="Hennen"] - 5’6 | OH | Minneota | Prep Dig #27 A class A 1st Team All State selection following the conclusion of the 2019 high school season, Hennen was a key catalyst that helped Minneota claim another state title. Although just 5’6, she is athletic and uses her skill set extremely well as one of the team’s leading point scorers. She gets off the floor very well and can move the ball around with confidence and great arm control. One of the more dynamic athletes, she can score from multiple locations and block effectively on the net to complement her ball control and defensive skills from the back row. Hennen and company should have a lot returning next season to make a legitimate run at a third consecutive title. [player_tooltip player_id="71957" first="Olivia" last="Koeppen"] - 5’9 | S | Minnetonka | Prep Dig #45 The floor general for a team that made one of the most inspired runs in class AAA this season, Koeppen ran a varied offense that allowed Minnetonka to benefit from a solid corps of attackers between the pins. The variety of location and tempo made them extremely difficult to defend all season as Koeppen seemingly knew where to distribute the ball in all the right moments. Following their Section 2AAA win, Minnetonka completed their remarkable season with a 4th place finish at state. [player_tooltip player_id="57498" first="Megan" last="Reilly"] - 6’0 | OH | Northfield | Prep Dig #16 Northfield made a great run throughout the entire high school season thanks to the play of Reilly. She can elevate and terminate with authority, which has helped establish herself as one of the most exciting arms among Minnesota’s talented pool of pin hitters in the class of 2021. A Big 9 all conference and class AAA All-State Honorable Mention selection, she has great vision towards what is in front of her through her approach pattern that allows her to swing effectively and with some of the best pace. [player_tooltip player_id="71956" first="Toryn" last="Richards"] - 5’11 | OH | Waterville-Elysian-Morristown | Prep Dig #44 Richards had a terrific high school season in helping WEM advance to the state championship match as their primary offensive weapon. She saw a lot of opportunities to swing over the course of the season and also found a lot of success with her ability to get off the floor quickly and move the ball around from multiple attack points. A class A 1st Team All-State selection, Richards has a well-rounded skill set as she contributes great effort and numbers through her individual defense and ball control as well. [player_tooltip player_id="71952" first="Jolie" last="Stecher"] - 6’0 | OH/MH | Stewartville | Prep Dig #32 A 2019 Hiawatha Valley 1st Team All-Conference selection, Stecher at times may have been overshadowed by the pair of dynamic and heavy arms around her at Stewartville during the high school season. However, she was the critical third piece to the effort both offensively and defensively that helped the Tigers claim the class AA state title. Athletic and versatile, Stecher can make significant contributions offensively from any location across the net. [player_tooltip player_id="71955" first="Ella" last="Thompson"] - 6’0 | MH | Lakeville North | Prep Dig #37 A key factor among the Panthers’ young squad that advanced to the state tournament, Thompson successfully filled some big shoes in the middle by asserting herself with aggressive play that seemingly became more confident and effective as the season progressed. A steady offensive presence all season, she also contributed well on the defensive side at the net. Her emergence this season will be a big factor in their effort next fall that should also include great depth returning around her. [player_tooltip player_id="71960" first="Sacia" last="Vanderpool"] - 6’4 | OH | Byron | Prep Dig #49 Great length is a big strength for Vanderpool as she has the ability to capitalize defensively at the net by putting up a huge block. Her biggest contributions come offensively as she has a high contact point that extends her range making it difficult to slow her down at times. Equally competitive in basketball, this experience helps her with her movement and footwork on the volleyball court through her transition and approach work. She is a 2019 Hiawatha 1st Team Conference selection.