Mattes is an intimidating force at the net.  She takes care of anything that approaches her airspace.  Mattes shoots her hands over the net to seal and actively working the slide route.

Mattes has been flourishing this past year.  This fall she had a solid connection with Alexis Opland Alexis Opland 6'2" | S East Ridge | 2025 State MN that really helped her put on a show during the State Tournament.  It’s exciting to think that they will have 2 more years at East Ridge together.  On the club side of things I’d like to partner her with McKenna Garr McKenna Garr 5'7" | DS/L Rush City | 2025 State #143 Nation MN as a dynamic duo.  Whether Mattes is in the middle or the right side she is the first line of defense in transition and whatever she doesn’t get she funnels to Garr.  Garr is a tenacious defender that will get her hands on anything and everything that gets past Mattes.  These two don’t allow much to drop for Northern Lights 16-1s.

I saw Mattes competing with Northern Lights 15-1 last year and I felt she was close but something intangible was missing.  Then I saw her this fall and she figured it out.  Confidence.  Mattes is playing with so much more confidence than less than a year ago.  Whether that came during her training with USAV National Development Training Program over the summer or recognition of making the AVCA Phenom Watchlist, it has helped her elevate her game.  Mattes earned Class AAAA State All-Tournament Team honors in November and will be competing with a talented Northern Lights 16-1 group in 2023.

The sky is the limit for Mattes as she plays with more confidence every time I see her step on the floor.  She has really taken control of the net and any ball that comes near it.  Mattes does a good job at challenging the opposing defenders by using different shots at different speeds.

East Ridge is known for having a physical middle blocker patrolling the net, and Mattes has the foundation to be the next big impact middle for the Raptors. She is also a really effective right side, as she puts up a looming block and can attack behind the setter off 1 foot or 2.  Mattes moves well and will be one for which to watch in the next few years!

Mattes plays for the Class AAAA State Runner-up, East Ridge. While East Ridge will graduate All-State heavy hitters Britt Carlson and Camryn Greenwald, they are returning a solid first contact in Ellenor Crimmins Ellenor Crimmins 5'6" | DS/L East Ridge | 2023 State MN and Giselle Thao Giselle Thao 5'1" | DS/L East Ridge | 2024 State MN .  Their second contact also returns with Macey Spolidoro Macey Spolidoro 5'10" | S East Ridge | 2024 State MN . Mattes has a pretty great opportunity to work into a high octane offense with Kelby Opland Kelby Opland 6'0" | MB East Ridge | 2023 State MN , Mikayla McDougall Mikayla McDougall 6'0" | OH East Ridge | 2023 State MN , and Hadley Burger Hadley Burger 6'0" | RS East Ridge | 2024 State MN and make another run for the X.