Prospects Engeman, Hornyak, and Thompson Commit
Some great news and much anticipated decisions have recently been announced in recent weeks. Three of Prep Dig’s top-25 for the class of 2021 have announced their college commitments. Outside hitter Madelyn Hornyak Madelyn Hornyak 5'11" | OH Lakeville North…
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Continue ReadingSome great news and much anticipated decisions have recently been announced in recent weeks. Three of Prep Dig’s top-25 for the class of 2021 have announced their college commitments. Outside hitter Madelyn Hornyak Madelyn Hornyak 5'11" | OH Lakeville North | 2021 State MN and middles, Kali Engeman Kali Engeman 6'1" | MB Minnetonka | 2021 State MN and Ella Thompson Ella Thompson 6'1" | MB Lakeville North | 2021 State MN , have made their selections and will all take their games, deservedly so, to the Division I level.
Kali Engeman
Kali
Engeman
6'1" | MB
Minnetonka | 2021
State
MN
– Prep Dig #13 | Commitment: Georgia Tech
Engeman has shown some steady progress in the middle and has solidified herself as one of the best in this position in the state of Minnesota. At 6’1, she is athletic and physical with the ability to impact the game in a variety of ways. She has good quickness and elevation with a range of offense that makes her difficult to contain when in-system. She can put a lot of pressure on opponents through a quick attack and can stretch the defense with her physicality off of one foot both in front and behind the setter. Defensively, she has good eye work and balance that increases her effectiveness from pin-to-pin as a blocker. She helped lead her Minnetonka team to the state tournament in 2019 and returns for her final season alongside some key teammates that could have them competing the final weekend once again. Engeman will head to a Georgia Tech program, a member of the ACC, that claimed the 2019 National Invitational Volleyball Championship. Finishing the season with a 26-8 overall record, the Yellow Jackets were 14-4 in conference play while boasting a terrific 17-1 record at home.
Madelyn Hornyak
Madelyn
Hornyak
5'11" | OH
Lakeville North | 2021
State
MN
– Prep Dig #17 | Commitment: North Dakota
Hornyak elevated her presence during the 2019 high school season as a major factor in this class at the outside hitter position in assuming a bigger offensive role following the departure of one of the state’s best from the previous graduating class. She helped carry her Lakeville North team to the state tournament with a true point scorer’s mentality as she plays through a confident and aggressive style that fuels both herself and the play of her teammates. She is athletic and has good lift off the floor. However, her best quality may be in what she can do with her arm once she is in the air. She can move the ball around with pace and range, can swing aggressively to challenge the block, and is savvy with her vision and control to make adjustments when needed. She will once again be the primary option for the Panthers in 2020 but should have room to operate as they return some other terrific offensive options from last year’s team. They should open up the season part of the conversation for both conference and state crowns. Hornyak will take her skills to North Dakota. A member of the Summit League, the Fighting Hawks last competed in the NCAA tournament in 2017 as a representative of the Big Sky conference in a season in which they finished with an overall record of 30-8.
Ella Thompson
Ella
Thompson
6'1" | MB
Lakeville North | 2021
State
MN
– Prep Dig #21 | Commitment: South Dakota State
Thompson, another member of the Lakeville North volleyball juggernaut, recently announced her commitment to South Dakota State University. The future Jackrabbit is strong and physical in the middle. Her play is highlighted by terrific effort through the flow of each point. As the ball is served, Thompson is seemingly locked in on her responsibilities on both sides of the ball to make herself available and as much of an impact as possible. This blue collar style has elevated Thompson’s stock over the past few months coming off of a state tournament run with her high school team and then competing well for a Northern Light’s 17-2 squad that was playing some very competitive volleyball during the early part of the club season. Thompson has been a key anchor in the middle for both of these teams and has expanded her point scoring ability to include good range and variety in front and behind the setter. She should get her share of opportunities offensively this next fall and will be part of a corps of attackers that will create depth and balance that could carry the Panthers deep into the postseason once again. South Dakota State is a member of the Summit League and last won the regular season and league tournament back in 2007.