SMV in Chicago for President’s Day Challenge
SMV has sent teams to Chicago to compete in the President’s Day Challenge hosted by Sports Performance and part of the JVA Challenge Series. This event is three days in duration and also included a recruiting combine. With their 18-1…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingSMV has sent teams to Chicago to compete in the President’s Day Challenge hosted by Sports Performance and part of the JVA Challenge Series. This event is three days in duration and also included a recruiting combine. With their 18-1 Black and 16-1 Black (title photo) scheduled to compete, here some of their top uncommitted athletes.
Chloe Staub – 5’11 | MH/RS | SMV 18-1 Black | 2021
A Hiawatha Valley all-conference honorable mention selection in 2019 from Triton High School, Staub has good quickness and athleticism to challenge well from the middle position in spite of standing shy of 6’0 tall. She has good versatility to be effective from the middle and the opposite side of the offense. She elevates well with a good double arm lift that finishes with good pace behind the ball. She appears more effective from the middle through quicker tempos yet from the right side her physicality helps her put up a block that can be difficult to challenge. The junior has a lot of upside to her game and will be fun to watch progress through the course of the club season the next few months.
Kielan LaPlante – 5’10 | MH/RS | SMV 18-1 Black | 2020
LaPlante is a Three Rivers all-conference honoree from Chatfield High School and it shows in her toolbox. At 5’10 she is undersized compared to top recruits in her position but she brings athleticism to the role that helps her success rate both offensively and defensively. She has good mobility between the pins to get in front of attackers and she gets her hands across the net quickly to put pressure on the ball. With a dynamic swing block motion she adds some elevation and deception as well. Offensively, she can score in a variety of ways and through a variety of locations and tempos. Whether off one foot behind the setter or from a variety of locations in front, LaPlante can be an offensive factor.
Olivia Pennington
Olivia
Pennington
6'0" | OH
Lake City | 2021
State
MN
– 6’0 | OH | SMV 18-1 Black | 2021
Pennington can be a dynamic point scorer from the left side. Some of her best skills involve her ability to adjust to location and tempo and still manage a good swing. She has good vision, a variety of shots, and also shows good arm strength that can challenge the block. When in sync with her setter that involves being on time and tempo she shows the ability to elevate and use her 6’0 frame and reach well to put good pace on the ball. The movement she provides is also a big attribute as she can score points by swinging through all zones. She is a 2019 Hiawatha Valley all-conference selection that included some big matches regarding her offensive production.
Arianna Blohm
Arianna
Blohm
6'0" | MB
Stewartville | 2023
State
MN
– 5’11 | MH/OH | SMV 16-1 Black | 2023
Blohm, just a freshman, has a great skill foundation. With versatility to her game she can provide a lot of options for her team as a middle attacker or as an outside hitter that can pass and dig. She contributed well at times as a varsity member for the 2019 class AA state champions from Stewartville. She has carried her savvy court sense and competitive drive to her club team with SMV and helps lead them as a primary offensive threat while playing up an age division. She can drive the ball aggressively from either position and also has the awareness to deliver off speed attempts that can score points as well. Blohm is one to keep an eye on in the 2023 class, especially given her role that will increase for at Stewartville in the near future.
Maggie Lile
Maggie
Lile
5'5" | DS/L
Spring Grove | 2023
State
MN
– 5’5 | L/DS | SMV 16-1 Black | 2023
Although just 5’5, Lile’s court presence is significant. She has a mindset of relentless pursuit that can provide great spark and energy along with big defensive plays. A freshman playing up an age division, she has great upside to her game given the maturity she shows on the defensive side. From middle back she reads point flow well and minimizes her movement in her preparation to make a play. With good balance and patience as the opponent sets up their attack, this attention to detail allows her to get after any hit or shot, which creates a lot of opportunity to make contact with good platform angles or with one arm in a scramble situation. Expect her to be a stock riser in this class as she grows her experience. She rounded out her freshman campaign on varsity for Spring Grove and was recognized as a Southeast all-conference honorable mention selection.