The Future is Bright in IL With These Freshman Showcase Talents

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I had the privilege of covering the Illinois Freshman Showcase this past Sunday, and every where I looked there was great volleyball. Girls were showing out in the drills, giving their all during scrimmages, it was truly impressive. The fact I can write about so many players is a testament to the skill level of these ladies, and the coaching going on at these clubs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["836261"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689381663fb98"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rachel can make all the back row plays as a DS/L. Has pretty good size and length to reach for pancakes or one handed outstretched digs. Tracks the ball well, sniffing out tips etc. Watching some video of her she has all the back row skills to get the ball up, open handed digs on hard hit balls, above the head hands, whatever needs to be done. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["781329"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689381663fbfb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As a setter I feel like she makes all the right plays. Seems to know when to hit her middles, feed the OH, or back set. She is agile enough to make great sets on the move or run as well! Does a nice job passing on serve receive sticking the pass. Watching video on her she even plays great defense. Consistent solid players on the court, you just can't have enough!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["754967"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689381663fc4f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This MB/RS hitter can HIT. THE. BALL! To me looks like she has big hands because she gets full contact when snaps that ball. Very good control and she can hit it accurately all over the court. Watched some video of her playing RS as well, and for defenses, she is a problem. She is a MB to keep an eye on I was impressed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":852479,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Maeve Manganiello","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32561","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Central","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Top Flight","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689381663fcfd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This girl is a versatile player. She has nice size for a setter and good form when setting to her hitters. Balls never spinning, and right on the money with sets. She can also play RS hitter and has some nice lift and snaps that ball when she hits. Having versatile players on your team is nice to have, and she's good at both positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["781393"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-689381663fd4b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='781393' first='Victoria' last='Reed'] is a volleyball player. I looked a little more into her film, and not only can she play OH and well, but she can play the libero position as well. 5'8" and can do anything on the court. I've seen her make great passes out of the back row, kill an overpass, wind up on the OH for a kill, and platform pass to a hitter. This girl is a well-rounded volleyball player and one to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Illinois volleyball is in a great place and this class of 2029 players will be fun to watch. The clubs and coaching are doing a great job molding these girls into future prospects for colleges to have. This list had girls that had to be written about as I know they will have a great freshman year and careers ahead of them, just keep putting in the work.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->