Five 2021 Under 6’0 Pin Attackers

<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="72044" first="Libby" last="Matilla"] - 5’10 | OH | Robbinsdale Armstrong</strong><br /> Mattila showed some of the biggest gains through the 2019 high school season has she provided a lot of offense for Armstrong from the left pin. Her approach patterns have increasingly become more efficient and when on time and on balance she can elevate well. She has a nice arm in the air and can swing with good power through a variety of attack points and locations. She also has really good ability to make adjustments with her feet and has confident arm control during broken plays to manage a strategic swing that can score or put the opponent in a tough situation. Look for her to continue to produce at a high rate for Armstrong among a core group of athletes that has potential to compete very well this fall.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="58036" first="Sydney" last="Petersen"] - 5’11 | OH/RS | Centennial</strong><br /> A NW Suburban all-conference selection for Centennial in 2019, Peterson has good versatility to score points with authority from both pins. She creates great pace through her swing as a result of her last two steps to the ball that lead to great double arm lift and torque action in the air. Petersen can get the ball on the defense in a hurry. She has six-rotation skills, good ball control and defense, and brings a ’gamer’ mentality to the court highlighted by that aggressive style at the net with her arm. She will be Centennial’s go-to attacker this fall although they have some other elements that should provide some balance to help them compete well through a tough conference schedule. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="72077" first="Adisa" last="Preston"] - 5’7 | OH | Eden Prairie</strong><br /> Preston is easily one of the most athletic and electric athletes in the 2021 class. She plays much bigger than her 5’7 frame as a primary left side attacker as she jumps extremely well with a 27" vertical. She uses her arm very effectively with ability to hit for power through the seam or to tool high off the block. She also has has good control of pace and location to find open court space or put pressure on the opposing defense to take them out of system. Preston has good six-rotation potential that will improve if she can gain more consistency in her footwork and angle creation in serve receive. She adds an important dimension that will allow space and opportunity for Eden Prairie’s middle game to do its job, which has big potential for this team.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="72095" first="Lauren" last="Riniker"] - 5’10 | OH | Stillwater</strong><br /> Riniker was voted the Most Improved Player for the Ponies following the 2019 season. She showed great moments offensively and has ability to score points from both pins. She also has the ability to generate some good power and will improve this aspect if she can increasingly get to the ball on balance and use both arms to sustain that balance through her lift. She has good six-rotation potential as she moves around the floor well and can create good angles with her platform. Riniker should see an increase in her offensive opportunities in 2020 for Stillwater, a team that will be seeking arms to fill some big shoes that recently graduated. Riniker is a likely option as she has good stock rising potential.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="84911" first="Klaudia" last="Wachholz"] - 5’10 | OH | Mayer Lutheran</strong><br /> With the departure of two Division I prospects from a year ago, Wachholz will be one of a few individuals that Mayer Lutheran will look to fill that gap in their offense. She has a good foundation in her athleticism and ability to take aggressive swings. Her approach patterns are fluid and when on time in the air she can generate good arm speed. She also has good play and court awareness to use off speed shots effectively. The Crusaders have good personnel returning but will look different given the graduation of their high-level middle tandem. Ball control, serving, defense, and pin attacking will be areas they should immediately excel with Wachholz capable of contributing in a variety of those areas. </p>