15 Players to watch at the M1 New Year’s Scrimmage
The Mizuno M1 Volleyball Club coaches and players are excitedly waiting for the new year and events to get rolling. In fact, they realized 22 years ago that they can’t wait; thus, creating the Annual M1 New Year’s Intra-Squad…
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Continue ReadingThe Mizuno M1 Volleyball Club coaches and players are excitedly waiting for the new year and events to get rolling. In fact, they realized 22 years ago that they can’t wait; thus, creating the Annual M1 New Year’s Intra-Squad Scrimmage. Held in mid-December, it is the perfect intro to the season. The players get a chance to put their practice to the test, coaches catch areas that need improvement, and parents get their first real look at the how the teams match up. M1’s 21 teams from 12’s-18’s will all take part in the fun tradition. Here are a handful of their athletes we are excited to follow this club season:
Audrey Hapenstal – We have been following this talented middle hitter from Washburn for some time. In fact, she moved up in most recent class rankings for the class of 2020. She possess strength, confidence, determination and sportsmanship. While she isn’t a flashy player, she understands her role on the team. She brings consistency at the net with her strong blocking and always tries to find a way to help her team win. This past season her best match was in October against rival Minneapolis South. Hapenstal had 13 kills and four aces to push her team to victory in 5 sets.
Haley Hewitson is a 5’7” libero from Benilde-St.Margaret. This is one defensive player that definitely needs to continue into college. Hewitson is in our top 100 for this class at number 83. During the high school season she had over 300 digs. Her willingness to sacrifice her body diving for balls and covering hitters has impressed us. She keeps the tempo of the offense quick with the height of her passing.
Lakeville South will be represented at the scrimmage by Ellie Hilliard. The junior has impressed us with her all-around skills. The 2022 grad typically plays on the outside and we love her effort on defense. Her transitions are smooth, her platform is solid, and her reaction time is fast. Similar qualities make her time spent in the front row meaningful too.
Emma Grimm is another junior outside hitter. On the ground she she stands at about 5’9” but in the air she’s contacting at the same height as competitors. Her efforts are noticed by many, making the North Country Region’s All-Region Team for 15/16U. Grimm plays for Eastview High School. Her setter will be stand-out, Olivia Koeppen (17-1’s team.)
Another gifted player at this weekend’s scrimmage will be Sonia Dahlin. The 5’11” junior from Minnetonka can plays middle for her high school team, but she is deadly on the outside too. At the state tournament she had her best match against Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”].
Other up and coming team members to keep an eye on:
16-2 Georgia Holt andJada Young
15-1 Miriam Unongo, Ava Gilmore and Monica Neels
15-2 Vivian O’Brien and Claire Baribeau
14-1 Kate Halvorson, Echo Scammahorn andKendall Faber