Part 1: Ready To Recruit The Class of 2022 in Illinois
Courts might be quiet, but at Prep Dig we won’t be. There are still athletes who are doing all the work behind the scenes and when play resumes they will be ready (and so will we). The Class of 2022,…
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Continue ReadingCourts might be quiet, but at Prep Dig we won’t be. There are still athletes who are doing all the work behind the scenes and when play resumes they will be ready (and so will we). The Class of 2022, the current Sophomores have had quite journey with their recruiting and some of them haven’t even gotten their drivers license yet. Their careers started out with talking with coaches, maybe some unofficial visits to campus, a period of virtual silence, and add on a global pandemic. These Class of 2022 athletes are ready to get back on the court and pick up the process once again.
[program_tooltip program_id='432009' first='Sky' last='High'] 16 Black at Triple Crown
Rian Baker Rian Baker 5'11" | S Fremd | 2022 State #143 Nation IL – Sky High 16 Black
Setter
Love how Baker is so quick with her hands and set any tempo from a neutral position. She’s got a high setter IQ, knows where her best matchups are and picks the right time to attack the other side of the court. She’s long, athletic, and is definitely the type of athlete you want running the show. Sky High athletes are always well trained which Baker shows such solid fundamentals and then some.
Rylen Reid Rylen Reid 6'0" | OH Fremd | 2022 State #128 Nation IL – Sky High 16 Black
Outside Hitter
The aggressiveness that Reid has to the ball as she approaches is textbook. Fast to the ball and into a violent arm swing is how Reid can score points from the pin. Not only is she scoring from outside, but she has the aggressive mindset to take a rip from the backrow as well. Just an electric athlete to have on the court that will be fun to see progress the next couple years.
Gillian Grimes Gillian Grimes DS/L Nazareth | 2022 State #29 Nation IL – 1st Alliance 16 Silver (Title Photo)
Libero
So much range! Grimes is so good with taking pace off the ball, but she can also play a ball above her head extremely well too. She can sit back and dig or make efficient movements to pick up something off speed. In serve receive, her platform is so relaxed which allows her to move and really ready where the ball is going. Being an elite libero is an artform and just takes plenty of grit to master the craft with countless repetition.
Chelsea Thorpe Chelsea Thorpe OH Whitney Young | 2022 State #55 Nation IL – 1st Alliance 16 Silver (Title Photo)
Right Side
Thorpe is a force on the right side. With a block touch of over 10 feet, Thorpe has the experience play on both pins, but has found her spot on the right side for a really powerful 1st Alliance 16 Silver squad. She has the physicality to play with some of the top athletes in Chicagoland and will be one plenty of college coaches will spot on the court with her upside and potential to contribute at a high level.
Ariana Joubert Ariana Joubert OH Montini | 2022 IL – 1st Alliance 16 Black
Outside Hitter
Joubert is 6’2 and on the pin where she is extremely athletic. A quick arm swing and ability to hit around the block, she can score points. As her all around game continues to improve and if she can score out of the background that will definitely skyrocket her status.
Jada Hampton Jada Hampton 5'10" | MB IL – Uno 16 Elite
Middle Hitter
So dynamic and jumps like a deer, Hampton is one to watch on the list of middle prospects, but I wouldn’t rule her out playing on the pin either. With athleticism like that there are always plenty of options. Jumping over ten feet and extremely quick laterally, Hampton is just a fun athlete to watch with how she can do so many different things in working with her setter whether its hitting a quick tempo in front or off one foot behind.
Rachel Rossman – Epic United 16 Rox
Setter
It’s easy to see the flash of the tall left handed setters who can jump and attack, but at the end of the day a setter’s job is to run the show and get their hitters in position to terminate. Rossman does that and more. She has such a knack for the ball and can make something out of nothing. Great hands and feet, but even better intangibles.
Sophia Johnston – Epic United 16 Rox
Outside Hitter
Love Johnston’s swing. She has a high contact and can really terminate from the pin going down the line or sharp cross. Her approach and jump sets her up to have plenty of options. She works extremely well with her setter, Rossman to score plenty of points. Give her a one on one opportunity and its automatic.