My Volleyball Spikes-givings!

Brian Gibboney

November 30, 2019 @ 11:59 PM

My first few months with prepdig.com has been fruitful in the fact that I've seen some great volleyball and great players this year! I want to give some special spikes and thanks to those people places and players that have made my first high school season special! Wheaton Classic - My first major Illinois high school tournament covering in over a decade, I was reminded how great the atmosphere is. Teams remembered: Metea Valley vs. Geneva - walked into a gym and witnessed two sets that went extra points that were a fun match to watch! Lemont - Became my feel-good story. Played hard and solid volleyball. Enjoyed watching them play. Marist, Benet, Wheaton Warrenville South, Sandburg - Teams I'll see many a time throughout the season Players assembled: Taylor Landfair, 2020, 6'5, OH, Sports Performance VBC, Minnesota - One of the few times I got to witness how good she is. Taylor is taking the club season off before attending U. of Minnesota. Hattie Monson, 2020, 5'4, L, Benet Academy, Sports Performance VBC, Notre Dame - Witnessed some great passes; one-handed perfect stab digs, a few roll digs and you can see how good she is! Camryn Hannah, 2020, 6'0, RS/S, Michio VBC, Clemson - she hits, she sets. One of the stars of this team. Amy Schwem, 5'10, S, Lemont, Michio VBC - knew nothing about this team or Amy at the time. A solid player on a solid team Sectional Final: Nazareth vs. St. Ignatius Teams remembered: St. Ignatius - Looking to defend their 2018 title. Nazareth - Fighting in a Deja vu situation fro 2108, able to lift themselves up tp a title Players Katie Hurta, 2022, 6'0, OH/S, Nazareth, Adversity, VBC, Indiana Katie is one of the "go-to" players for Naz and is possibly the best all-around volleyball player on the court. And yes, she's a sophomore! Both setter and kill-getter, Sterling needs containment of Katie to help decide the outcome in their favor. Ella Sandt, 2020, S, Nazareth With over 1,500 assists for her career, Ella will be counted upon to set the Nazareth offense on their way to the state title. Mckenzie Washington, 2021, 5'10, OH, St. Ignatius Katherine Randall, 2021, 5'9, OH, St. Ignatius Asics Tournament Outstanding Teams: Notre Dame (KY), Henry Clay (KY) Skutt (NB) Mother MacAuley: Played as well as they had all season. They were the Mighty Macs of old and gave Marist everything they had. Marist, New Trier, Nazareth Sandburg Outstanding Players Rachel Krasowski, 2020, 5'3, L, Sandburg, 1st Alliance VBC, De Paul Connie Lebel, 2021, OH, Mother McAuley, State Tournament Teams remembered: All 16 Teams Athens: My first glance at one of the smallest school districts in the state, making it to states. Newark, St. Teresa, Sterling, Benet: How good the state champs were! Players assembled: Alexis Rodriguez, 2021, 5'4, L, Sterling, Sports Performance VBC, Nebraska Gold medalist as a member of the USA Volleyball YNT at the U18 World Championships, Alexis is arguably the best passer in the state. Breelyn Borum, 2021, S, Sterling, Sports Performance VBC, South Florida Breelyn plays "defense first" as well as any setter I've seen and has a knack to make great plays look easy. Brooklyn Borum, 2021, OH, Sterling, Sports Performance VBC, Uncommitted Brook earns every set she gets. One of the PrepDig.com's top 10 players from the class of 2021. <div>Taylor Jakubowski, 2020, 5'7, S, Huntley, Sky High, Seton Hall</div> <div> <div>Prepdig.com has her ranked 19th among 2020 graduates. After graduation, Jakubowski will take her talent to Seton Hall University.</div> <div> </div> <div>This is a shortlist of players and teams that have crossed my path in the last few months. I've been fortunate to reconnect with coaches and friends while reporting and look forward to reporting more during the club season.</div> </div>