Wisconsin’s Available Lefties
Who doesn’t love an athletic lefty? They don’t always feel the love with some daily awkward situations, including using a scissors or going to shake hands with someone. They are truly unique though when attacking from the right side or an…
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Continue ReadingWho doesn’t love an athletic lefty? They don’t always feel the love with some daily awkward situations, including using a scissors or going to shake hands with someone. They are truly unique though when attacking from the right side or an occasional high school middle. Some show a great deal of power from the right side, as well as being tough to read.
When I think of recent tough lefties, I first think of Willow Johnson, an All American at Oregon who has another year left at Oregon after an unexpected deep post season run. Defending a left-handed player adds a whole new dimension to the defense in adjustments. In the game of volleyball, it can be a great advantage to have an effective lefty hitting. Let’s take a look at a few killer lefties from Wisconsin who I’ve gotten to see play live within the past few weeks.
Autumn Bremness – 2020 – 5’8 – Pin Hitter/Setter – Cadott – Cadott Stingers 17-1
Bremness can set or hit from either pin and is incredibly smooth with how she moves. She is not aggressively offensive while setting, but she is very efficient and aggressive when she attacks from the front row. Bremness will look to lead Cadott in a turn-around season, and she will do so with a fast rising and high elevation.
Katie Gund – 2022 – Setter/Right Side Hitter – Pewaukee – Milwaukee Sting 15 Black
Gund was one of the best setters out of any team in the 16 Elite Division at the Badger Region Power League opening weekend. She has a solid vertical and is a solid blocker with great footwork, and crafty when she needs to be. Gund can swing hard in the split or make a deep shot to the corner. She has nice hands, hustle, and is a smooth distributor while commanding her court.
Katie WinklerKatie Winkler – 2021 – 6’0 – Right Side Hitter – East Troy – Milwaukee Sting 16 Gold
Winkler has made huge gains over the last year. She is very physical, athletic, and plays with the gold squad like she’s been with them for years. Winkler is coming off a huge fall, winning a Division 2 State Championship with East Troy. I’m not sure where she is more lethal, as a blocker or a hitter.
Natalie Tesch – 2021 – 5’11 – Right Side Hitter – Wisconsin Lutheran – Milwaukee Sting 16 Gold
Sting 16 Gold has quite the 1-2 punch with Winkler and Tesch. Tesch elevates and executes with a fast, hard swing on the right side. She puts up a big block and is frustrating to the opponents. Wisconsin Lutheran will be returning a ton of talent, including Tesch in making another deep post season run.
Saffron Mears – 2020 – Pin Hitter/Middle Blocker – Oconto Falls – One Wisconsin Bay 17 Black
Mears is new to our radar after I was able to catch her in action at the Wisconsin Ice Season Opener. She usually plays as a middle for her high school team, and her background as a middle is a huge advantage while she is blocking on the right side. Mears makes blockers a little uneasy and defenders on edge because her power and shots can be tricky with a hard cut shot that takes a team out of system.
Zoee Pond – 2021 – 5’9 – Right Side Hitter – Monroe – Capital 16 Navy
Pond has all the tools to become a solid right side at Capital. She may be a bit undersized, but she is an effective attacker. Pond will be one to keep an eye on the next couple years as she progresses through her club career.