Menomonie Sprawl Stars Bound For A Big Season – Part 2!
40 teams and well over 400 players were at the Menomonie Sprawl and I am only scratching the surface of the talent that was there. I just had to follow up with a Part 2! After going through my notes,…
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Continue Reading40 teams and well over 400 players were at the Menomonie Sprawl and I am only scratching the surface of the talent that was there. I just had to follow up with a Part 2! After going through my notes, pictures, video clips, and researching rosters here are some of the standouts from the Sprawl that are bound for a big season!
Jozie Buchanan – 2020 – 5’4 – Setter – Colfax
Buchanan runs a 5-1 for Colfax and being smaller she works her tail off to tool the block when she’s getting a tight pass. She has nice hands and is very deceptive with a dump back over her right shoulder. Buchanan also takes teams out of system with a tough serve.
Maggie Craker – 2021 – 5’8 – Setter – McDonell Central
Craker is a 5’8 setter who will run the McDonell offense getting hitters involved and she knows who set at the right time. She does a great job with tight passes and her set location is right on. Craker has smart timing and location for setter dumps and she has a well-placed short serve as well as a wicked float.
Meghan Kibbel – 2021 – 5’9 – Setter – Columbus Catholic
Kibbel really hustles and gets her feet to every ball. She is fundamentally sound with nice hands and well-timed setter dumps. Kibbel is athletic and her improvement from the spring until now is impressive.
Natalie Johanknecht – 2021 – 5’10 – Middle Blocker – Oshkosh West
Johanknecht played for FC Elite this past club season and attended the Badger Region High Performance camp this summer. She hits great angles as well as runs a great slide route. Johanknecht gets up so high and can really hit a hard deep 5 corner. She also runs a great 3 route and can pound the split. Johanknecht also has a wicked float serve and knows how to work the sidelines. Oshkosh West has a solid group of athletes and Johanknecht is extremely physical and dynamic at the net. West has a solid Junior class and now with experience they will definitely surprise some teams this season.
Olivia Miron – 2021 – 5’10 – Middle Blocker – St. Croix Falls
2 words… “Hammer” …” Time”. Miron seriously hammer the ball. She takes a fast swing that gets above most blockers and she works the sidelines extremely well. The Junior from St. Croix Falls will be one of the top 6 rotation outside in Western Wisconsin, with her scrappy defense and the ability to get some pretty awesome touches on the ball. Miron may be one of the best kept secrets in high school volleyball right now.
Olivia StroikOlivia Ohnstad – 2020 – 5’10 – Middle Blocker – Grantsburg
Grantsburg is not losing steam after the 2018 season. Ohnstad commands respect at the net with the ability to run a nice 3 route, smart soft roll shot over the block, or pound the 1 corner. She can take a strong approach to swing from anywhere on the court and sees the block well and can expose the split. Ohnstad is solid in serve receive and is on track to smash her season high digs. She is a solid athlete and leader as well as a hidden gem in the Class of 2020.
Olivia Stroik – 2020 – 5’6 – Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist – SPASH
Stroik is flat out underrated and gritty, she will do and play whatever position is needed to win for her team. Stroik played libero this past club season but she is also a really smart attacker and as a six rotation outside she is stays in serve receive. The Panthers have a solid Senior group that has paid their dues behind the stellar 2019 class. Stroik will be one of the leaders with her grit and vocality.
Robyn Kirsch – 2021 – 5’7 – Outside Hitter – Wausau West
Kirsch is definitely a player to keep tabs on for the next level. She is a strong six rotation outside for Wausau West this season who is making some noise heading into the high school season with winning the Marathon Summer League and winning the Silver Bracket of the Menomonie Sprawl. Kirsch has the all-around skills to play at the next level and would be a solid pick up not only as a strong athlete but as a teammate who has positive body language and communication on and off the court. She may be smaller, but she can fly and has a fast swing to beat the block. When Kirsch can beat a block, it is nearly impossible to get a touch on the ball. She has a strong float serve that works the corners and anticipates well on defense to pick up setter dumps or put up a huge well-timed block. Kirsch is definitely a go-to hitter this season being terminal from the back row as well.
Robyn KirschSamantha Pretasky – 2020 – 5’9 – Middle Blocker – Colfax
Pretasky was spotted during the very first point I saw Colfax play. She is a physical and dominant middle for Vikings. Pretasky is a super scrappy defender, elevates, and runs quick routes. She is a college prospect that can make an impact at the next level and could be a huge pickup for any of the many division 3 programs in Wisconsin. Pretasky may need a little time to adjust to playing against tougher competition, but she already has a ton of tools to make her successful. Pretasky has the ability to terminate off a quick or off one foot with an aggressive approach and high contact point. She can pound the 4-5 sideline, hit high off hands, cuts hard to the 1-2 sideline, and can power tip both angles.
Looking For Name, Grade and Height for the following players:
#11 – Outside Hitter – Wausau West
#9 – Setter/Right Side Hitter – Menomonie
#16 – Libero – Elk Mound
#10 – Middle Blocker – Osceola