Balance Runs Through Top Players To Note in Class of 2020
There isn’t too much a mad science that goes into rankings, although deciding between a few different rankings and positions and how they best contribute to their teams, how their impact is felt on a state level, and the analysis…
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Continue ReadingThere isn’t too much a mad science that goes into rankings, although deciding between a few different rankings and positions and how they best contribute to their teams, how their impact is felt on a state level, and the analysis behind where they all fall can be a bit hair splitting at times. At the end of the day though, it is safe to say the Class of 2020 in Minnesota is incredibly balanced across all positions. Even among the various clubs, it is very even with their top teams and would be a battle to see who would end up on top. Here is a little bit of a closer look into the Class of 2020 rankings for Minnesota.
I’ll be completely honest, I came into Minnesota with a pretty clean slate heading into the high school season. I had seen some of these athletes play at the Northern Lights Qualifier, The Showcase in the Dells, and NJCs, but most of my evaluating was done during the high school season. I will continue to keep tabs on these athletes as will our other writers and will be constantly be making notes in order to find the most accurate ranking.
#1 – Elizabeth Helmich – MN Select – Wayzata – Right Side
Committed to James Madison
In watching Helmich play for Wayzata (who is going to be REALLY talented next year), I thought she was just so tough to defend. Long, athletic, contacts high, and a wicked snap to finish her swing. With a left handed swing, her arm swing is loose which allows her to change her shot at the last moment. Top spin hard to the deep corner, top spin short to the campfire, or just a hard swing off the high hands allows her to score points in a hurry. She is also a really tough block, an overall mismatch all the way around and extremely tough for opposing teams to defend.
#2 – Maddi Whittington – Kokoro – Stillwater – Middle Blocker
Committed to Illinois
At 6’4, Whittington moves like she is 5’9, so quick from pin to pin and very dynamic laterally across the net. Committed to surging national power, Illinois, Whittington has all the tools to be a key contributor at the Big Ten level whether it be in the middle or even on the right side. She can put up a strong block and is so hard to defend on the slide. A passionate and intense player, she will one of the many weapons Kokoro will have on their 17s team that features the #3 recruit Cianna Selbitschka from North Branch as well as some top players from River Falls, Wisconsin.
#4 – Olivia Tjernagel – High Voltage – Mayer Lutheran – Middle Blocker
Committed to Northern Iowa
Tjernagel is going to fit right in with the Panthers at the next level with her versatile skill set. She is the type who has the athletic tools to play anywhere along the front row and I could see her on the pin as well. She was one of the key parts to the Crusaders road back to the state tournament after losing most of their roster to graduation from last season. An All Tournament Team selection, as well as All State Selection, Tjernagel and the up and coming new crew at Mayer Lutheran will have some lofty goals come to achieve next November.
#11 – Kaitlyn Prondzinski – SMV – Stewartville – Outside Hitter
Committed To Illinois State
Minnesota has become nice neighbor for the Missouri Valley Conference to find some really high quality players with the likes of Northern Iowa and Illinois State. Prondzinski was on the Stewartville team that was consistently one of the top Class AA teams in the state this past season. With Prondzinski on the pin, she brings a great leaping ability and a ton of athleticism and physicality out there where she can swing hard to the high hands and put so much top spin on the hit that it will paint the line. She also has the IQ to use the block extremely well. She might have been a hidden gem to the state of Minnesota, but Illinois State got a steal for sure!
#23 Claudia Stahlke – Vital – Mayer Lutheran – Middle Blocker
Uncommitted
With Stahlke and Tjernagel teaming up together for Mayer Lutheran, they are a tough tandem to compete with always having a major blocking presence at the net. Stahlke plays well above the net and would be a great fit in a mid major or a huge impact in the NSIC. Would be fun to see her swing away on the pin as well. She will definitely one to keep an eye on for the Vital 17-1 Gold team as well as the progress she will make her Senior of high school.
#26 Mia Schiable – SWMNVB – Marshall – Libero
Uncommitted
Complete game changer. Marshall’s whole team is extremely scrappy, very intense, and gritty which led them to a state runner-up finish. In left back they have Mia Schiable can take an outside hitter off her game. She takes great pace off the ball, reads the hitter and their tendencies extremely well, and has really efficient footwork and movement getting her to the right spot, she makes it look easy.
#40 Mikayla Coops – Northern Lights – Belle Plaine – Right Side
Uncommitted
Absolute dynamite! Coops packs quite a punch with a left handed swing from the right side. She was a major force to be reckon with in Belle Plaine’s run to the state tournament this past season. Coops got on our radar with her play at the Class AA Showcase in Burnsville and continued to blaze her way through the season. Coops was earned All State Honors and her athleticism will be fun to watch throughout the club season.
#55 Emily Terry – Kasson Mantorville – Middle/Outside
Uncommitted
Kasson-Mantorville finished 3rd in Class AA this past season with outside hitter Peyton Suess and libero Bailey Berge being two of the big leaders for the Komets, but in order to make a strong post season run, other athletes have to step up. Enter Emily Terry who can play a little bit of middle and can swing on either pin. She ended up being a major X-Factor for the Komets scoring some big points in key situations. She is bound for a big senior season and is someone who would be a great addition at the next level.