2021 Uncommitted Prospects To Watch In KC, Omaha, and St. Louis
Presidents Day is here! The opening weekend of the live period for Division 1 coaches kicks off with plenty of three day tournaments going on across the country. Here are some top prospects to take a look at who will…
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Continue ReadingPresidents Day is here! The opening weekend of the live period for Division 1 coaches kicks off with plenty of three day tournaments going on across the country. Here are some top prospects to take a look at who will be competing in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Omaha. Many of these athletes I have seen live this club season or since the beginning of the high school season. They are carrying plenty of momentum and will be a solid catch at the next level. Prep Dig will be reporting out on more Class of 2021 uncommitted prospects as well as others who will be ones to watch during this live period.
Elle Truckenbrod – Milwaukee Sting 17 White (WI)
Elle TruckenbrodSt. Louis
Truckenbrod is a pure six rotation outside who is extremely athletic and physical at the net. She is an aggressive attacker with a lethal arm swing who can really score points. Her Sting 17 White squad is solid as the whole Class of 2021 at Milwaukee Sting is one to watch. Truckenbrod is a three-sport athlete at Kettle Moraine Lutheran where she has been an two-time All-State volleyball nominee.
Thea Rotto – Iowa Power Plex 17 Elite Black (IA)
Kansas City
Rotto excels on the court for basketball and volleyball where her athleticism is obvious with the ability to adjust to whatever comes her way. She can attack from the left side, but I can see her being able to score points from anywhere. This Power Plex team is definitely a sleeper this weekend with the likes of Rotto and other top athletes from Central Iowa.
PainovichSophia Painovich – Central Ignit Select 17 Blue (IA)
Kansas City
Love the style of Painovich, she has a great feel for the game and commands the court running a 5-1 for Club Ignit. Painovich can do a little bit of everything from attacking to even putting up a solid block. Her enthusiasm and energy is contagious to her team who will be competing against top competition in KC this weekend.
Gracie Ehret – Iowa Rockets 17R (IA)
St. Louis
I was able to see Ehret play at our Iowa Top 250 and she is athletic and crafty as a left handed setter. I know there are varying opinions, but I think setters need to have a presence on the court where they are more than just a distributor. Ehret can make things happen and knows how to effect the game in a positive way.
Caidince Cleveland – Iowa Select 17 Mizuno (IA)
Omaha
Usually when I’m writing about athletes that are physical, meaning they are strong at the net making dynamic plays I’m talking about front row players. Cleveland is a libero with a really physical style of play. She can take on a bulk of the serve receive, take pace off the ball, and is super gritty. If needed, Cleveland can play on the pin as well, but her future is definitely as a libero who can cover a big range on the court.
Kaitlyn Bingham – VC United 171 (WI/IL)
Kansas City
Bingham has been climbing up the ranks as a Wisconsin pin hitter and is joining a solid group from Oconomowoc High School (WI) to play for VC United out of Rockford, IL which is trending WAY up. Bingham is a great leaper who can put a ball away. She is well trained and has always been part of successful high school teams at Oconomowoc and now with VC United.
Kali Engeman – Northern Lights 17-1 (MN)
Kansas City
Engeman will be one to watch out of the middle for Northern Lights 17-1 who will be among one of the favorites to take the 17 Elite Division at Triple Crown. Long, athletic, and a huge upside to her game, Engeman has a presence where she can close the block and create opportunities to score on offense.
Kori Knox – Iowa Power Plex 17 Elite Black (IA)
KnoxKansas City
I saw Knox play at the Northern Lights Qualifier and she really stood out for Plex as a libero being able to have a presence on the court with how she communicates, but definitely with her serve receive and first contact to get her offense rolling. Quick to react and get to the ball, Knox is definitely on the rise in the Class of 2021 in Iowa.
Keely Kurschner – Kokoro 17-1 (MN)
Kansas City
Kokoro is out of the St. Paul area and will bring a strong contingent of teams. Kurschner will be a libero to keep tabs on where she is quick, yet under control with her movements as well as her platform. With Kokoro 17-1’s in system they can get Marquette recruit Jadyn Garrison blasting away on the pin.
Natalie Compe – Capital 17 Adidas (WI)
Omaha
I saw Compe play at a high school tournament in August and her athleticism was extremely obvious from the start. She may not be the long outside hitter you notice right away, but watch her jump and you’ll get it. An all around athlete who can touch 9’8, Compe is a new one on the radar, but definitely one to watch in Wisconsin.
Bella Bratzke – Milwaukee Sting 17 Black (WI)
St. Louis
Bratzke has High Performance training with Badger Region and has always been a solid point scorer for Milwaukee Sting. Six rotations, great contact and snap on her swing. Sting 17 Black will be looking to do some damage in St. Louis this weekend after a top finish at the JVA Jamboree in Milwaukee and a final four finish at Central Zone 17 Premier Division.
Josie Halbleib – FC Elite 18 Elite (WI)
Kansas City
The FC Elite 18 Elite team has only two Class of 2020 athletes on their roster with the rest being underclassmen who are extremely talented. Halbleib along with Lizzie Binder, and Linnea Willer are the other uncommitted Class of 2021 athletes who will be a solid catch at the next level. Halbleib is 6’2 with a high touch and a left handed setter who can swing as well.
Winter #14Elyse Winter – Six Pack 17U (IA)
Kansas City
Winter has been climbing up the Iowa rankings as a six rotation outside hitter in the Class of 2021. She can serve receive, pass, and score points. A big arm, but also the ability to mix up her shots to find the open spot. Her backcourt game is coming along strong which has opened up even more scoring opportunities for her.
Mariah Grunze – Milwaukee Sting 17 Gold (WI)
Kansas City
Grunze has very little weakness to her game. From the outside, Grunze was key for Sting 17 Gold in their route to earning a USAV 17 Open bid at the Northern Lights Qualifier. She is efficient and smart with what she can do while also being able to play six rotations. Her consistency and upside continues to evolve.