Rising Stars: New Names

We've been on the hunt this fall to see as many teams compete as possible. We need to do this because the landscape of volleyball is always evolving, and every so often, a new wave of talent crashes the Minnesota scene. And sometimes, these rising stars threaten to redefine the game, so of course, we want to find them early in their high school careereers. Forget the household names for a moment. This article is about who is making their way onto our radar this fall by having some breakout performances this season.    Brickweg is a standout defender for Albany. As a 2027 prospect, she is a statistical leader for the Huskies and currently ranks in the top 11 in Minnesota for total digs. So far this fall, she has recorded 267 digs and averages close to 5 digs per set. I really enjoyed watching her at the Class AA Showcase and saw her reading the other team like a book on defense. More impressive was her ability to dig that dirty 4 tip out of the middle, every time. Her defensive efforts have been crucial in recent team victories, with nights like last Tuesday when she recorded 24 digs in 3 sets. Her consistent energy and focus help her showcase her importance as a 1st contact for the Huskies sustained success.     Klug is a multi-sport athlete who plays a vital role for Caledonia. She's versatile on the court as well with the ability to play libero or swinging on the pins. Klug is definitely a smart player and not afraid to send the ball right back. It would not surprise me if she plays some beach doubles. Her defensive skills have been a cornerstone of her career, with her repeatedly stepping up in crucial matches. For example, during the Warriors' thrilling 3-2 comeback victory in the Section 1AA title match, Klug led the team's defensive stat column with a reported 38 digs. Earlier in her career, as a freshman in 2022, her defense was also a highlight to her game when she led the team with 24 digs in an upset win during the 1AA semi-finals     [player_tooltip player_id='834256' first='Kiley' last='Lange'] has been a significant contributor to the Albany squad this fall as an outside hitter who can take a heavy swing down the line. This 5'10 senior has accumulated solid career statistics over her time in Albany . She hass a mean serve, and you can tell players will look to her for leadership in tense moments. Lange's performance has been a key factor in some of her team's recent match wins.     Martin is a versatile and promising young prospect on the Belle Plaine squad. This 5'10 Setter/Right Side from the 2028 grad class can really fly. Martin showcases her all-around athleticism when she hits at such a high point she is going over most blockers. Her power and timing highlight her skill set as an attacker on the right side. Martin has been making her way on to a number of watchlists and if you saw how she swings sharp angles you would put her on your wishlist too. In recent team statistics, she has recorded 73 kills with a notable hitting percentage of .245, demonstrating her offensive production for the team.     I had a blast watching Meyenburg at the Class AA Showcase. She not only sets up and produces a strong block, but she is also really feisty and knows how to get her team excited. She was contributing as an outside hitter when I saw her, but it seems like her primary position is out of the middle. No matter where she is swinging on the net, she is showcasing her offensive efficiency. Recently, she recorded 11 kills with a hitting percentage of .229 to demonstrate her impact at the net.

We've been on the hunt this fall to see as many teams compete as possible. We need to do this because the landscape of volleyball is always evolving, and every so often, a new wave of talent crashes the Minnesota scene. And sometimes, these rising stars threaten to redefine the game, so of course, we want to find them early in their high school careereers. Forget the household names for a moment. This article is about who is making their way onto our radar this fall by having some breakout performances this season.