I saw Gerdes in person at the Rochester M1 Elite scrimmages at the beginning of January to kick off club season. I attended the Impact Invite earlier this month, when she was again competing with CIA 16 Black. Gerdes is a stabilizing presence in the back row for this squad. Consistency leads to it staying in system to take advantage of a strong attack at all three positions along the front of the net. Gerdes covers a good amount of court thanks to a combination of easy lateral movements, clean reads on the ball and flowing with the opposing attack to get in the best possible position to deliver a clean pass. Gerdes communicates clearly with her teammates, sharing information and taking it in. Graduation losses leave Cedar Falls needing help in its back row next season, and Gerdes has the talent to do just that.

I saw Gerdes in person at the Rochester M1 Elite scrimmages at the beginning of January to kick off club season. I attended the Impact Invite earlier this month, when she was again competing with CIA 16 Black. Gerdes is a stabilizing presence in the back row for this squad. Consistency leads to it staying in system to take advantage of a strong attack at all three positions along the front of the net. Gerdes covers a good amount of court thanks to a combination of easy lateral movements, clean reads on the ball and flowing with the opposing attack to get in the best possible position to deliver a clean pass. Gerdes communicates clearly with her teammates, sharing information and taking it in. Graduation losses leave Cedar Falls needing help in its back row next season, and Gerdes has the talent to do just that.