10 Attackers To Know Heading Into Prep Dig Gauntlet – Part 1
We are a month away from the Prep Dig Gauntlet and with five states represented right now, we have plenty of high caliber players that we will be featuring. The first is talking about the attackers that will be blasting away in Madison the first week of June. Some may be on the verge of committing while others are definitely high on the radar of college coaches.
Emily Bruckshen – FC Elite 17 Navy – Right Side – Class of 2020
Bruckshen plays on the right side for club, but can also play on the left side during her high school season. A really solid athlete with a big arm, Bruckshen has been at a high level of volleyball her whole career and is a big mismatch on the right side with her swing and ability to set a solid block.
Chelsea Thorpe – Chicago Elite 15 Navy – Outside Hitter – Class of 2022
Thorpe is a 6’2 Class of 2022 pin hitter already drawing interest from some top programs in the Big Ten. Her style of play is very reminiscent of Simone Lee of Menomonee Falls, WI, Penn State All American, and now a member of the national team. Thorpe has a high reach, but can also serve receive and terminate out of the backrow. Chicago Elite will be a really solid team and one of the favorites in the 15s division.
Lot of weapons and balance for @ChicagoEliteVBC – keep an eye on some 2022 prospects pic.twitter.com/Dk69405Gnm
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) February 23, 2019
Brianna Cantrell – FC Elite 15 Navy – Outside Hitter – Class of 2022 (Title Picture)
Cantrell is another Class of 2022 prospect who will be high on the radar for college programs, however with the new rules she is not allowed to talk any recruiting with coaches until after her Sophomore year. Cantrell is a flat out high flyer who takes a fast approach and can really put a hammer on or take some pace off to find an open spot on the court. Big time point scorer!
Marissa Kleman – V-Hawk 17 Adidas – Outside Hitter – Class of 2020
Committed to UW-Milwaukee
Kleman has spent time in the middle, but she is definitely on the rise as a pin hitter. At 6’2 and very dynamic and physical she will be a really solid player for UW-Milwaukee as they start to pick up some top notch talent from the Class of 2020 in Wisconsin. Grace Rohde will be another attacker of V-Hawk who is one to watch after spending time training and competing for the Badger Region High Performance team in Tulsa.
Abby Thompson – MN North 17-1 – Middle Blocker – Class of 2021
Thompson is a force in the middle. I think she could play on the pin as well. At 6’2 and athletic that gives plenty of options for Thompson at the next level who can most really quickly from pin to pin and also attack with a ton of force where she can put a hurt on the ball. She will be fun to watch go against some of the middle blockers from the likes of FC Elite and Chicago Elite.
Lauren Taubenheim of NE JRsLauren Taubenheim – Nebraska Juniors 17 Black – Outside Hitter – Class of 2020
Committed to Nebraska-Kearney
Taubenheim has already made her commitment to play for Nebraska-Kearney, a top D2 school in the MIAA. A top player for one of the best programs in Nebraska in Piux X out of Lincoln, Taubenheim is definitely go to in all six rotations for Nebraska Juniors 17 Black.
Kate Nelson – CIS 17 M – Outside Hitter – Class of 2020
Nelson played in the Iowa State tournament last fall for Waukee and is really rising on the list of prospects out of the Class of 2020 for outside hitters. At 6’0 and a high contact point, Nelson can put a ball away as well as put up a really solid block. Her CIS 17M team is extremely athletic and gritty which will provide for some really intense matchups against the likes of FC Elite who has the National bid from the Badger Region and Nebraska Juniors who always have strong teams.
Martha Pace – Iowa Rockets 16R – Outside Hitter – Class of 2021
Six rotations of a lot of athleticism, Pace is developing into the top all around players in the Class of 2021 out of Iowa with the ability to terminate on the pin, but also plays really tough defense and attack out of the backrow. Iowa Rockets is bringing multiple teams that can all play among the best in the state and the region.
Aida Shadewald – Milwaukee Sting-Madison 16-1 – Middle Blocker – Class of 2021
Shadewald is one of the attackers for Sting-Madison 16-1, she is long, dynamic with a great snap on her swing. There were some swings at the JVA Midwest Challenge where Shadewald put a hurt and her team will continue to depend on those swings to continue a successful season.
Madison Gully – Minnnesota Volleyball Academy 16 Elite – Outside Hitter – Class of 2021
Gully’s style of play is so much fun to watch. She’s aggressive, fast approach, and isn’t afraid to go after a block whether its tooling off the high hands or hitting the split. This MVA team really has a knack for sticking with some really solid teams and have been highly competitive in multiple JVA and USA events throughout the season. With athletes like Gully, they have a grit where they know how to compete.