Who Did We Find In 2019? – Part 2
Let’s cut to the chase… After seeing teams from all over the state, I wanted to write a series on an awesome groups of athletes who have made their way onto our radar since August. As I’m writing, it seems almost…
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Continue ReadingLet’s cut to the chase… After seeing teams from all over the state, I wanted to write a series on an awesome groups of athletes who have made their way onto our radar since August. As I’m writing, it seems almost like Santa’s list of all the new players, I’ve caught doing good things!
Medford (22-15)
Alex Nicks (2020 – Setter) is a versatile, gritty player. If you need proof, she is also a hockey goalie and catcher in softball. This kid is tough. Nicks stays chill and keeps her team calm in tight matches.
Grantsburg (30-6)
Hanne JohnsonAllison Peterson (2021 – 5’8 – Outside Hitter) is small but swings a really nice line. She and Hanne Johnson (2023 – 5’11 – Setter/Pin Hitter) will lead the charge in 2020 after combining for over 400 kills in 2019. Johnson puts up a big block as a “do it all” player. She sets, plays outside, and serve-receives. Johnson gives well-placed sets to give her hitters opportunities to have several shots.
Brooke Quimby (2020 – 5’9 – Middle Blocker) and Olivia Ohnstad (2020 – 5’10 – Middle Blocker) were the bookends in the middle for the Pirates. Quimby can place a smart tip to the 2, works the 1-2 angle really well, goes against the flow, and finds the corners. She serves the deep 1 corner and makes the ball float till it drops deep. Ohnstad runs a nice 3 route and sees the block and exposes the split. She can swing from anywhere on the court and makes a smart soft roll shot over the block or takes a strong approach and pounds the 1 corner.
Ohnstad is also strong in serve-receive. Gretchen Lee (2021 – 5’4 – Outside Hitter) is another tiny outside but SO good at hitting the line! Grantsburg will lose 5 big senior contributors after their 30-6 season and will lean on a few key returning leaders including Peterson.
Newman (22-18)
Angela Rougeot-Donath’s (2021 – Libero) digging kept the ball in play for Newman throughout the season, and the control just got better and better. She moves well and follows the ball all the way to the lines. Rougeot-Donath is scrappy and makes some really nice defensive plays. She improved a ton from the season’s start to finish and really starting bringing the heat with her serving as well.
Elise JohnsonElise Johnson (2020 – 5’4 – Setter/Pin Hitter) has a smart roll shot over the block to find the sideline and finds a way through the block. Johnson has a knack for saving the 2nd ball out of the net or taking a tight pass and setting butter all in one rally. She also served tough down the line. Evelyn Gabriel (2020 – 5’9 – Middle Blocker) worked the 4-5 sideline with a nice hard swing, used the block, or took an aggressive cutback. And, let’s not forget, Gabriel is a strong blocker with recording 66 for the season.
Turtle Lake (19-13)
Victoria JansenI caught Turtle Lake’s early season battle with Elk Mound where Abby Russell (2021 – 5’6 – Libero) put on a show. She is definitely a quick defender who gets a lot of touches. Russell closed out the season with 355 digs. Anika Torgerson (2023 – 6’1 – Setter/Outside Hitter) is a tall setter with nice hands and ball control. She has a solid jump float and has a really nice swing with a high contact, and when the set isjust right, she is dangerous with a fast swing.
Turtle Lake had some real height this year to go with Torgerson including Makayla Ramelfanger (2020 – 6’0 – Middle Blocker/Setter) and Victoria Jansen (2020 – 6’0 – Middle Blocker). When timed right, Ramelfanger can take a heavy swing. Jansen takes an aggressive approach, solid contact, and a fast, hard swing in the split.
SPASH (26-10)
Amahra MatthaiSPASH went 26-10 and had won the Wisconsin Valley Conference. Amahra Matthai (2021 – 6’0 – Middle Blocker) and Andrea Zwicker (2021 – 5’9 – Right Side Hitter) combined for over 2 kills and 1 block per set as a part of a very solid all-around squad. Matthia puts up a well-timed block and has a good reach, while also being able to adjust well.
Zwicker hits a nice line shot with a high contact and snap. Merriah Niedfeldt (2020 – 5’7 – Setter) can handle a tight pass and will joust for a point. She will also run through a wall to get to the 2nd ball.
Ellsworth (14-9)
Brooke MinderThe leaping ability of Autumn Earney (2021 – 5’8 – Outside Hitter) and the shots by Avery O’Neil (2020 – Middle Blocker) are tough to defend. Earney takes a strong approach, makes solid contact, and takes a fast swing to beat the block or exploit the split. O’Neil swings high and takes a nice approach from the outside in serve-receive. She also hits cross or line very effectively.
Brooke Minder (2020 – Middle Blocker) runs a quick route and finds a way through blockers or makes a smart tip just inside the block. Kaitlyn Nugent (2020 – 5’5 – Setter) is super scrappy and hustles to get her hands on the ball. She also sets against the flow in tough situations.