Secret Weapons No Longer
We didn’t know who they were last year, but now they are ready to take charge on the court. They lead with confidence shown in their body language and how they brush off an error because experience has taught them…
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Continue ReadingWe didn’t know who they were last year, but now they are ready to take charge on the court. They lead with confidence shown in their body language and how they brush off an error because experience has taught them that will happen and it’s best to move to the next play. This new role won’t be additional pressure for these players because they have put in the work, gained the experience and now it’s their time to shine in 2020. Who are the secret weapons, who may not be so secret anymore?
Carly Rebman Carly Rebman 5'9" | OH Edgerton | 2021 State WI – 2021 – 5’9 – Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist – Edgerton
Edgerton is loaded with athletes, and we didn’t even know it! Rebman is an explosive athlete and has the skill to go along with it. She has developed an all-around game that will make her one of the top pin hitters in the Rock Valley with the likes of Katie Winkler Katie Winkler 5'11" | RS East Troy | 2021 State WI of East Troy and Emme Bullis Emme Bullis 5'10" | MB Whitewater | 2021 State WI of Whitewater.
Ella Luoma – 2022 – Libero – Franklin
In 2019, Franklin had Holly Reinke Holly Reinke DS/L Franklin | 2020 State WI and Kaitlin Gawelski Kaitlin Gawelski MB Franklin | 2020 State WI on the pins to find a way to score points. Luoma has been on the floor since her freshman year and will be joined by her younger sister to create a dynamic defensive duo for Franklin in 2020. While Franklin should have a solid 1st and 2nd contacts, they graduated a lot of their firepower, so I am interested to see what they come up with!
Gwen Crull Gwen Crull 6'2" | MB McFarland | 2023 State WI – 2023 – 6’0 – Middle Blocker – McFarland
McFarland was led by Erin Eggers Erin Eggers 5'8" | DS/L McFarland | 2020 State WI and Lizzy Fortune Lizzy Fortune S McFarland | 2020 State WI to battle in the Division 2 State Championship match in 2019. Avery Pennekamp Avery Pennekamp 5'11" | OH McFarland | 2022 State WI (2022 – 5’10) and Nina Crull (2021 – 5’11) were the go-to point scorers for the Spartans, but you should see Gwen Crull Gwen Crull 6'2" | MB McFarland | 2023 State WI really get comfortable and explode in the middle as an offensive threat. Crull already has a knack for blocking and getting a ton of touches, but her offensive game has been developing a ton over the winter.
Isabelle Coon – 2022 – 5’9 – Setter/Right Side Hitter – St. Mary’s Springs Academy
I wish we could have witnessed the evolution of Coon because it is clear she has put in the work. The Ledgers have a really nice balance of returners and will be a team to contend with Laconia for the Flyway Conference and challenge Howards Grove in the postseason for a trip to the Resch. Coon has quick footwork, great hands, and her overall volleyball IQ will be a huge catalyst for the Ledgers in 2020.
Kate Fox Gunderson – 2022 – 5’8 – Setter – Edgerton
Gunderson has shown that she can play all six rotations and run a 5-1. She is all about speed. Gunderson has fast footwork to the ball making it look effortless to jump-set a majority of the time and can cover half the court on defense with her speed. Edgerton may not be a sleeper team for long with more athletes like her.
Megan Schultz – 2023 – 6’4 – Middle Blocker – Hamilton
Schultz is developing into one of the more dominant middle blockers in the Class of 2023. Hamilton will be a contender in the Greater Metro Conference and with attackers like Schultz, Lakyn Graves Lakyn Graves 6'1" | MB Sussex Hamilton | 2021 State WI (2021 – 6’1 – Middle Blocker), and Kayla Lewinski Kayla Lewinski 5'10" | RS Sussex Hamilton | 2021 State WI (2021 – 5’10 – Pin Hitter), who can score in and out of system, they could make it to the Resch in November.
Verona
Last year this group was a dark horse that came in and took the Big Eight Conference by surprise. The Wildcats will return Claudia Bobb Claudia Bobb 5'10" | OH Verona | 2022 State WI (2022 – 5’6) and Delaney McIntosh Delaney McIntosh 5'10" | DS/L Verona | 2022 State WI (2022) who can terminate from either pin. Anna Bohrer Anna Bohrer 6'0" | DS/L Verona | 2021 State WI (2021 – 6’1), taking over setting, will give Verona multiple options, while Katie Trias (2021) will provide a solid first contact.