Tri-State Special: College Coaches! What Juniors Should Be On The Radar?
Plenty of times I get asked, “Is she D1?”. Such a loaded question. Here are some questions I would follow up with: “Does she want to play for a winning team?” “What are her academics like?” “Is she ok not…
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Continue ReadingPlenty of times I get asked, “Is she D1?”. Such a loaded question. Here are some questions I would follow up with:
“Does she want to play for a winning team?”
“What are her academics like?”
“Is she ok not playing right away?”
“Does she want a four-year scholarship? Or is she ok with only two years? Walk on?”
“Does she want to go a long way from home?”
Again, there are so many factors that go into making a college decision, and who am I to tell someone what division is for them. I’ve talked to some players who have said, “I would have a hard time sitting on the bench, I want to contribute right away.” On the other hand, I’ve heard players say, “I know I want to come back home, so I want to go away for college and get my school paid for.” There is nothing wrong with either of those answers. Then there is an athlete who says, “I want to compete for a national title”. This looks different for everyone. The recruiting path is not a carbon copy to all. I’m sure college coaches and recruiting advisors can agree.
Here is a special tri-state special of players that I think are playing really well. I’ve seen them play live over club, during the summer at camps, or already this fall. I’m not getting into the labels of what division they should play, it’s not a one size fits all. They may not be the top ranked athlete in their class, but I know these athletes would be a really great part of a team after their high school and club career is over.
Wisconsin
Emma Mans – Fort Atkinson
Mans has been able to contribute from every spot in the front row. Extremely strong and dynamic, Mans has terminal power.
Maggie Allaman – Sun Prairie
So much improvement over the past year, her confidence is really starting to show with how she can move along the net as a middle blocker as well as how she can attack off one foot.
Brianna Geurts – De Pere
Geurts has played every position on the front row, but has really been able to thrive on either pin. A major blocking presence as well, Geurts has developed into the go to athlete for De Pere no matter what rotation she is in.
Grace Demetrician – Appleton North
Grace DemetricianSmart, well trained, high character, Demetrician is part of an Appleton North squad that is loaded with ball control. A strong server as well, she communicates well and would be a huge get to add to gym culture and ball control.
Kayla Lewinski – Sussex Hamilton
Another versatile athlete who just brings a ton of energy to the court. Lewinski is from a strong high school program in Sussex Hamilton that is making waves so far this season where she puts up a big block and can score points as well.
Elle Truckenbrod – Kettle Moraine Lutheran (Title Photo Left)
So explosive. Truckenbrod came onto the scene as a new name last year and ended up as a six rotation All-State outside. An aggressive attacker with a high motor.
Alayna Westenberg – Watertown
Heavy swing, so tough to dig, Westenberg is part of a Watertown program that has started off the season in the top ten in Wisconsin’s largest class. She has been on the right side and is such a mismatch for opponents.
Minnesota
Elizabeth Dille – Sartell
Dille is long, athletic and is a major point scorer that can score line, cross, or high hands. Major upside still to her game.
Kenidi McCabe – Mabel-Canton
She is a winner, she knows how to lead her team to victory. She can set, she can play defense, she finds a way to get it done.
Brooke Weichbrodt – Concordia Academy
Really high motor that can dish with the best of them. As a setter, she can also score on the second contact and make a difference at the net with her blocking as well.
Ashlyn Olson – New London-Spicer
6’0 tall, left handed, athletic, and strong. This is the type of athlete who can take away angles with her block and really find a way to score points with a high contact point with her swing that can go a variety of angles.
Teagan Starkey – Lakeville South (Title Photo Center)
Smooth release with the ball as a setter, Starkey has been running the show for South who is once again competing for a top spot in Minnesota’s largest class. Starkey’s long wingspan also makes her a threat to block at the net.
Iowa
Emma Schubert – Davenport Assumption
Schubert is an explosive six rotation outside hitter for one of the top teams in Class 3A. With experience playing in the state tournament last year, Schubert will be looking to lead the Knights further this season.
Paige Kisley – Osage
One of the top overall athletes in her class, Kisley brought home hardware with Osage Volleyball from state last year as well as on her own at the state track meet. Kisley can play on either pin and just flies. Cool, calm, and collected she gets it done.
Mia Gamet – Sergeant Bluff-Luton
Gamet is well trained from her high school and club (MVP), being one of the top defenders in the backrow in Western Iowa. She will be looking to held lead the Warriors back to the state tournament yet again come November.
Taylor GrinleyTaylor Grinley – Gilbert
Grinley brings an athletic style of play to the court where she runs the show as a setter, but can also make a huge impact on the net as well. Gilbert will be a tough team to contend with in Class 4A.
Corinne Meier – Dubuque Hempstead
Meier came on to the scene last year at the Iowa Regionals and impressed again earning a spot on the Iowa HP squad. So far in this short season she is hitting over .400 with over four kills per set, she is extremely strong and physical at the net.
Jadyn Jondle – Clarion-Goldfield-Dows (Title Photo Far Right)
Jondle is always under control, she is able to make the read and controls her platform to get the first contact in system as one of the top liberos in her class. She’s had great success on the club circuit and is continuing to lead her high school team who advanced to the state tournament in 2018.
Emmy Wedgbury – Cedar Falls
In Iowa, everyone knows Cedar Falls volleyball. They have a front line full of Division 1 athletes. However, Wedburgy has a defensive presence where she is cool, clam, collected, and extremely high IQ out of the backrow. Wedgbury is also a strong beach player as well.