From the Class of 2021-2023 – These Minnesota Athletes Are Ready For Impact Performances!
Ask and you shall receive. In a quest to keep content fresh, I have been able to see some really strong highlight videos. Thank you! At Prep Dig we will keep content rolling as athletes and coaches are still navigating…
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Continue ReadingAsk and you shall receive. In a quest to keep content fresh, I have been able to see some really strong highlight videos. Thank you! At Prep Dig we will keep content rolling as athletes and coaches are still navigating these unique times. This was so great to take a look at a lot of new Minnesota players or players I haven’t seen play since last club or high school season. These athletes are continuing to get better and I can see them finding a way to contribute in so many different ways at the next level. Here are some names that are must knows in Minnesota that are rising.
Maggie Lile Maggie Lile 5'5" | DS/L Spring Grove | 2023 State MN – SMV 16 Black
Class of 2023
A small town athlete, with a big time game out of Spring Grove, Lile is rock solid from the backrow as a libero. Whether its in middle or left back she has a ton of range, playing her base well along with covering the middle. Her athleticism is very apparent for a team full of athletes. What I like about her platform is that it is under control, she is well trained, and she is always looking the ball into her platform in serve receive. A definitely Class of 2023 rising prospect to keep tabs on!
Ella Christ – Northern Lights 16-2
Class of 2023
Christ is a heck of an athlete. She is playing up on the Northern Lights 16-2 team where she can swing and score points from both pins. I saw Christ play as an 8th grader for Chaska where you could see the foundation of a great volleyball player in the making, but now her skill and athleticism is in a place where she can really contribute in multiple ways for her team. A 2019 All Tournament member at USAV Nationals last year and will definitely be one to watch for college coaches once everyone can get back in action. Again, she plays up a year and is looking really strong among the 16s (as a 2023).
Alex Lloyd – Northern Lights 16-3
Class of 2022
Lloyd is strong, physical, and brings an aggressive approach and a big arm swing to the pins. She is able to contribute to the outside or the rightside as well as hit a variety of tempos as well as behind the setter. On her Lights team she can be effective from multiple spots, but one thing that is consistent about her game is that she is not afraid to go for the big swing. A sharp cross court hit is her bread an butter, but she knows how to go around the block and hit high hands. Lloyd will be a Junior at Prior Lake next fall which will have plenty of offensive weapons. She is also a standout on the Prior Lake track team where she throws shot and disc.
Ella Masso – Northern Lights 17 Red
Class of 2021
Scrappy, athletic, quick, and very gymast like Masso is a defensive specialist/libero for Northern Lights 17 Red that will be heading into her Senior year at Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] High School. Always moving and anticipating, Masso’s quickness is a major upside to her game where she can cover plenty of ground as well as putting a consistent first contact to her setter. Plus, she has a spark and energy about her on the court that every team needs.
Annika Veurnik – Northern Light 15-1
Class of 2023
Northern Lights 15-1 was a little under the radar heading into the season, but that is definitely not the case anymore. With a long, athletic lineup this team is for real making a major push into key matches over Presidents Day weekend at Triple Crown. Veurnik is 6’1, but plays much higher, she touches high, has all the training, footwork, and high snap to her swing. Continued with high level training and competition, Veurnik will be a major scoring threat and a presence at the net defensively when she is blocking and attacking near ten feet. This will be a special group to follow throughout their prep volleyball careers.
Brooke Lundy – Midwest United
Class of 2021
Lundy is a 5’7 outside hitter from Waconia. With experience playing for Vital Volleyball and Midwest Volleyball United, Lundy is on the pin where she can play all six rotations being able to serve receive and put a pass on point from middle back. She is looking to major in either Political Science/Pre-Law or Elementary Education with a double major in Speech Communications.
Sylvia Koenig Sylvia Koenig 6'1" | MB Northfield | 2021 State MN – Northern Lights 17-Black
Class of 2021
Koenig was a major presence for Northfield this past fall where they were one of the top teams in the state. Blocking, attacking, and what I most enjoy watching Keonig do is attack off one foot on the slide, she is so dangerous where teams have to respect her heading to the pin which opens up the rest of the net for her teammates. A National Honors Society member, Koenig is heavily involved at Northfield High School and would be a major steal at the next level!
Katrina Thompson – Vital Volleyball 15-1 Gold
Class of 2023
Thompson definitely has a spark on the court that keeps her team rolling, directing the offense as a setter. For a setter at the 15s level, Thompson has great feet in the sense she gets to the ball and remains neutral allowing her to set a variety of tempos. She can push it to the pin as easily as she can set the slide behind her. She’s crafty and will be a key piece to the Chaska volleyball puzzle who has plenty of athletes returning after a big postseason run in 2019.
Anna Shoemaker Anna Shoemaker 5'11" | OH Minnetonka | 2022 State MN – Northern Lights 16-2
Class of 2022
Stanwood is the type of player you have to have on the court. Six rotation outside who swings hard, solid in the backrow, and always provides a swing no matter where she is on the court. She’s fun, she provides a lot of energy, and is so dynamic. She finds a way to score points on the pin going cross, line, or sneaking in a roll shot. This 16s team is really tough, they will beat a lot of good teams and will make some noise come national tournament time.