Top Sunday Teams at JVA Showcase
With the JVA Mizuno Showcase entering the third and final day there are a handful of Minnesota teams in position to compete for tournament titles. The results so far indicate there has been some very competitive play happening at the…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith the JVA Mizuno Showcase entering the third and final day there are a handful of Minnesota teams in position to compete for tournament titles. The results so far indicate there has been some very competitive play happening at the Woodside Wisconsin Dells Center. Here are three Minnesota teams worth a good look as they continue to compete for a podium finish.
DIVISION: U17 OPEN GOLD
M1 17-1 | Sunday = @ 11:00am | WDC 7
This team is 5-1 on the weekend heading into Sunday and have earned a bye directly into the quarterfinals of the Open Gold bracket. They continue to garner a lot of attention as they keep proving themselves to be very skilled and versatile around the court. Emma Grimm, at 5’9, may be this team’s most dynamic attacker with her quickness and ability to jump and take a very aggressive swing. She has a great arm and consistently maximizes her opportunities to make good things happen. Sophie Jesewitz is the #4 Minnesota prospect in the 2021 player rankings and has very good skills as a long and athletic six-rotation outside hitter. Madison Ellman is so fun to watch at the libero position as she continues to distinguish herself as one of the best in her class in Minnesota. She is patient and simple yet explosive in pursuit of the ball when she needs to be. Jasmine Weidemann is an athletic setter and is distributing well to get a lot of her hitters involved through various tempos and locations. In the middle, Hannah Thompson also is holding her own at 5’11 with good arm control to move the ball around. Take a look at this team on Sunday as they have a good shot at landing in the finals.
DIVISION: U16 OPEN GOLD
MN Select 16-1 | Sunday = @ 11:00am | WDC 5
This team has only dropped one match this weekend and are poised to move through the Open Gold bracket to perhaps get another shot at the one team that defeated them thus far. With all the pieces necessary to win tournaments this squad is in good position to make a full go at it on Sunday. Their size is a huge asset as they have several athletes either at or pushing 6’0 tall. When your setter is 6’0 and as athletic as Elle Cotton is, you know you are in good shape regarding advantages at that position through the front row. Cotton continues to distribute a varied offense and with good tempo and use of the many options they continue to develop from pin to pin. One of her best targets includes 6’1 Brynn Reines who has some of the best shoulder and arm work when attacking given the force and movement she can put on the ball at either pin. Cara Cyr is a physical middle that provides good offense given her powerful arm and consistent work to get herself open and available around the setter. Both Kylie Stremmel and Ella Voegele create options for the offense with their relentless ball control and serve receive. Regardless of who is on the floor this team does not compromise their level of play much at all as they have good depth throughout their roster.
DIVISION: U15 OPEN GOLD
Kokoro 15-1 | Sunday = @ 11:00am | WDC 2
One of six Minnesota teams that have advanced to the Open Gold bracket, this Kokoro team is the only team in this bracket to have earned a bye into the quarterfinal round. They carry forward a 4-2 record in this event, which includes four matches going the distance into the decisive third set. They will face off against the winner of two rival Minnesota teams as
Vital Volleyball
15-1 Gold takes on M1 15-1 in the bracket’s first round. As their roster is a mix of Minnesota and Wisconsin athletes, the Gopher State is represented by 6’0 Katherine Arnason, 5’11 Kaysie Bakke, 5’9 Tori Liljegren, and 5’6 Camryn Petersen. All of these athletes are players to watch as they are working to develop their skills towards a spot among the future prospect rankings for the 2023 class.