What Would College Coaches Have Noticed At The JVA MKE Jamboree…
The live period is almost here. College coaches will be traveling to big tournaments to see players. This can be a daunting process, but there has been a lot of great play already. What were some highlights that coaches may have…
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Continue ReadingThe live period is almost here. College coaches will be traveling to big tournaments to see players. This can be a daunting process, but there has been a lot of great play already. What were some highlights that coaches may have missed during the quiet period? There were more than enough great plays, but here are a few that stand out from my memory, notes, and videos at the JVA MKE Jamboree. Watch for these players throughout this club season!
MN Select 16-1
Sierra Moore (2022 – 5’11 – Outside Hitter – Wayzata, MN) is a solid 6-rotation outside, and she was a key part of their 5th place finish in 16 Open at the JVA MKE Jamboree. She is a master at tooling the block when hands are in her face and finding creative ways to score. Elle Cotton (2022 – 6’0 – Setter – Elk River) ran a 5-1, setting a great variety to keep blockers guessing. She is smooth and can dump effectively, holding the opposing blockers and destroying the defense. Anna Shoemaker (2022 – 5’11 – Outside Hitter – Minnetonka) can elevate and contacts the ball at such a high point that she is tough to block. Cara Cyr (2022 – 6’0 – Middle Blocker – Maple Grove) is a physical presence at the net and smart with placement when running a slide. Brynn Reines (2022 – 6’1 – Right Side Hitter – Rogers) is good at finding the high hands and a tricky short serve.
MVA 16 Black
Brooklyn Connor (2022 – 6’3 – Middle Blocker) is one to keep an eye on. She is raw, but she is long and a great communicator. MVA served their way into the Gold Bracket in the 16 Open division at the JVA MKE Jamboree, one of their toughest servers being Ella Moorlag (2022 – 5’9 – Outside Hitter) with a flat laser serve. Tori Melpoder (2022 – 6’0 – Outside Hitter) was the go-to with a nice snap to get the ball to roll over the tape and frustrate defenders. MVA was playing clean volleyball and winning at the service line when I saw them compete.
VC United 161 Elite
Ella Holmstrom (2022 – 6’1 – Outside Hitter – Committed To Indiana University) is a big physical presence at the net with a big block and a smart swing. She also gives passers a fit with a really solid float serve and defensively takes care of the corners, while presenting a strong attack option from the back row. Ireland Henry (2023 – 5’1 – Libero – Belvidere North) was solid in serve- receive, giving her team plenty of opportunities to run a fast offense. She always takes a solid second ball to give the pins a chance to attack. Kaitlin Leider (2022 – 5’5 – Outside Hitter – Committed to Bradley) has a great vertical and can hit a strong “cutty”.
Vital 16-1
Vital 16-1 was fun to watch in the 16 Open division at the JVA MKE Jamboree and finished in 5th place. I had the privilege to write about a couple of players from this team two summers ago when they competed in the Waupaca Boatride Junior Doubles. Ellie Sieling (2022 – 5’10 – Outside Hitter) and Cassie Sieling (2022 – 5’10 – [left-handed] Right Side Hitter) are two very terminal pins. The drive with which they play is impressive. And then they also have Cameron Berger (2023 – 5’10 – Setter) as the brains to their offense. Berger also played junior quads with the Sieling twins at Boatride, so they are very in sync. Berger also has a quick release and can push the ball to either pin. This core group is scrappy, fundamentally sound, and intense.