2021 Rankings: Stock Risers Among 40-49
The following collection of athletes represents good variety of roles and skills as well as some of the biggest stock risers from the last rankings updates. These athletes bring floor leadership, good size, and are athletic.
Jaidyn Brower
Jaidyn
Brower
5'8" | S
Stewartville | 2021
State
MN
– 5’7 | S | HS: Stewartville | Club: SMV | Prep Dig #41
Brower is among the top setters in this class as she has great competitive experience to match her dynamic style of play. She guided the Stewartville offense to the class 2A state title in 2019 and will return this fall with opportunity to repeat as she will once again have some of the best physical arms around her. At 5’7 she has good quickness and athleticism that allow her to pursue the second touch and use her hands more to distribute from all around the court. Additionally, she can make plays on the defensive side with that speed in the back row while also putting up a respectable block that can disrupt opposing attackers. Stewartville will once again be among the favorites in 2020 and Brower will look to cap a terrific high school career by elevating her numbers and hopefully another title trophy.
Olivia Koeppen
Olivia
Koeppen
5'7" | S
Minnetonka | 2021
State
MN
– 5’9 | S | HS: Minnetonka | Club: M1 | Prep Dig #44
Koeppen shares time on her M1 team with another top-ranked prospect from this class. She is not without skills or experience in her own right as she was the primary setter for a Minnetonka team that advanced to the semifinals at the 2019 state tournament. With a nice collection of offensive talent across the net on that team, Koeppen did a great job of varying the distribution and getting her attackers in rhythm and position to be successful often. She completed the season averaging double-digits in assists per set and will look to repeat those numbers again in 2020 with the return of some key offensive weapons. She has offered the same contributions in leadership and distribution for one of MN’s top 17s squads as they have a great group of hitters as well.
Sophie Kobienia
Sophie
Kobienia
6'0" | RS
Willmar | 2021
State
MN
– 6’0 | RS | HS: Willmar | Club:
Kandi Elite
| Prep Dig #46
Kobienia has great potential to continue to grow her game and impact on the right side of the floor as a lefty opposite. She has a terrific foundation in size, athleticism, and understanding of the game that allow her to contribute to her team’s success in a variety of ways. Her arm work can produce points as she has good awareness of what is available and in front of her when she swings. She can become even more dangerous through a more deliberate step-close and double arm lift that will get her on balance in the air and allow for more torque in her arm swing that will increase her pace. She shows blocking mechanics that start with good patience and eyework, which are complemented well by her quick swinging arms and strong press across the tape. She should have a breakout year for Willmar in her senior season as they have pieces all around the court that could create some terrific offensive balance and lead them to a long postseason run this coming fall.
Olivia Carel
Olivia
Carel
6'1" | OH
STMA | 2021
State
MN
– 6’1 | OH | HS: STMA | Club: MN Select | Prep Dig #47
Carel’s progression as a primary attacker has been fun to watch. As she played on the right side a lot for STMA during a successful 2019 high school season, she has been mostly on the left pin for her MN Select team. Her movement patterns in transition look increasingly more fluid and she continues to develop more range to match the power that has been a steady highlight for her play the past several months. She has good versatility with her arm as she can play middle or swing through quicker tempos or tandem patterns from the pin. One of the more noticeable improvements is in her ball control as a primary passer. She looks more confident in her footwork and angle development that could help her stock rise as she continues to gain more experience there upon the return of the high school season.
Sacia Vanderpool
Sacia
Vanderpool
6'4" | MB
Byron | 2021
State
MN
– 6’4 | MH | HS: Byron | Prep Dig #49
Vanderpool has so much upside to her game. At 6’4 she is presence at the net on both sides of the ball. Offensively, her contact point is naturally high and increases the more dynamic she is with her mechanics and approach pattern. She has shown glimpses of what she can do in the air that combine elevation, reach, power, and range that should have college coaches very interested. She will see a lot of offensive opportunity for Byron this next fall. On the defensive side she fills up space well and utilizes a good swing block foundation to close down hitters. A multi-sport athlete, she averaged a near double-double on the basketball court and certainly has the tools to play both sports at the next level. She benefits well on the volleyball court from the great footwork and control she shows in her basketball reel.