Four Juniors Poised for Another Leap in 2020
The first year in high school volleyball typically works as a transition of sorts for most student-athletes. There are a new system, new teammates and new opponents to adapt to and the first step might not just that easy even…
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Continue ReadingThe first year in high school volleyball typically works as a transition of sorts for most student-athletes. There are a new system, new teammates and new opponents to adapt to and the first step might not just that easy even for the top players. The progress a player makes from her freshman to her sophomore year is normally very telling about how successful her high school career will be and for these four athletes, expectations are sky-high after a very productive 2019 season.
Emily Mekelburg Emily Mekelburg 6'0" | OH Arlington | 2022 WA – Outside Hitter – Arlington
Emily Mekelburg Emily Mekelburg 6'0" | OH Arlington | 2022 WA had a relatively intense first season with Arlington as she saw the court in 26 of the team’s 48 sets in 2018. Her role with Eagles grew exponentially in her sophomore campaign, though, as she appeared in 80 of the team’s 84 sets and jumped from being the team’s six-best hitter (19) to second (228). Her game improved in basically every other area, most notably in serving (jumping from five aces in 2018 to a team-high 87 last season) and digging (up from nine to 117).
Kate Piasecki – Setter – Charles Wright
Setters don’t typically get to be starters on their freshman year and that was the case with the 5’10” Kate Piasecki, who appeared in 39 of the 64 sets Charles Wright played in 2018. She won the starting spot in 2019, though, as played in all 75 sets of the Tarriers’ campaign. The prolonged time on the court saw her stats jump, especially assists (113 to 653), digs (eight to 223) and aces (11 to 83).
Eva Atkins – Middle-Blocker – Roosevelt
Eva Atkins was just the tenth-most used player on Roosevelt’s roster in 2018, when she got the chance to play in 27 sets over the season. Her impact with the Roughriders was way more meaningful last season, when she moved up to fifth, missing just seven of the team’s 97 sets. The 6’3” player quickly became a key piece in the team’s system, especially on offense, going from 13 to 210 kills, blocking, climbing from five to 75 points, and defense, improving from five to 26 digs.
Ellina Powell Ellina Powell 6'0" | S Jackson | 2022 WA – Setter, Right Sider – Jackson
Jackson’s 2018 high school volleyball campaign had a total of 80 sets and Ellina Powell Ellina Powell 6'0" | S Jackson | 2022 WA played less than any of her teammates, appearing in just five sets. The setter ender her sophomore season on the other side of the spectrum with a team-high 76 sets, meaning she didn’t miss a single one in the Timberwolves’ campaign. Her stats changed accordingly, as Powell jumped from 15 to 648 assists, 11 to 171 digs, one to 16 blocks and two to 64 aces.