6 Stock Risers that could make the difference for their teams
2019 Ashland-Greenwood team. Photo contributed. The rankings process can be like going on a major treasure hunt and other times finding something you’d least expect. The Prep Dig writers continually find up and coming players that can make a huge…
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Continue Reading2019 Ashland-Greenwood team. Photo contributed.
The rankings process can be like going on a major treasure hunt and other times finding something you’d least expect. The Prep Dig writers continually find up and coming players that can make a huge difference to their teams’ success. Progress is continuously being made with continued training, position changes, comebacks from injury, and athletes putting in the time to hone their skills. For the Class of 2021, here are some athletes who are popping up on the radar and rising in the rankings.
ASHLAND-GREENWOOD
As Ashland-Greenwood steps up to Class B this season, a core group of seniors includes many players from our rankings – Saige Craven, Alexis Edmisten, Carly VonRentzell, and 2022’s Brynn Glock Brynn Glock 5'8" | S Ashland-Greenwood | 2022 State NE . The play of seniors Jessica Stander Jessica Stander 5'10" | MB Ashland-Greenwood | 2021 State NE and Layne Whaley Layne Whaley 5'8" | OH Ashland-Greenwood | 2021 State NE may be what it takes for the Bluejays to reach the next level. And therefore, are on our watch list!
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Jessica Stander
Jessica
Stander
5'10" | MB
Ashland-Greenwood | 2021
State
NE
| 5’10 | OH | Sunset West
Awards: All-Conference Honorable Mention (2018, 2019)
2019 Stats:
Kills/Set, Total, Hitting Percentage: 1.9, 287, .287
Blocks Total: 62
Coaches Comments: Jess is going to be a big threat for us this year and will be a great teammate to have on the court. Jess is the player you can count on that she is going to give 100% for her teammates.
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Layne Whaley
Layne
Whaley
5'8" | OH
Ashland-Greenwood | 2021
State
NE
| 5’8 | OH/DS | Nebraska Elite
Awards: Academic All-State (2018,2019)
2019 Stats:
Digs/Set, Total: 2.7, 240
Receptions/Set, Total: 2.6, 234
As one of Whaley’s goals this season is to make it to State during their senior year, she has seen multiple positions over the years. “My high school volleyball experience has been a crazy ride. I started out on reserve freshman year, as a libero. After our first scrimmage, I was moved to JV as a libero. Halfway through the season, I became a DS on varsity. I worked very hard to earn my spot on varsity. Sophomore summer, I had a dramatic growth spurt and was made an outside player. Ever since then, I have started as an outside hitter on varsity. I grew greatly as a player throughout high school volleyball and learned a lot through this process.”
As Layne was used as a libero/DS during club season, high school Coach Megan Rossell comments, “Layne is a great teammate and is a super strong back-row player but did some good things for us in the front row also. Looking forward to her showing her stuff.”
With the current situation, Layne has sent highlight reels to college coaches and taken part in virtual tours. She is uncommitted and interested!
LINCOLN LUTHERAN
As the reigning Class C-1 champions, Lincoln Lutheran looks to replace some BIG shoes in 2020. With 2021 5’10 MH Abi Wohlgemuth, 2022’s 5’10 S/RS Ashlyn DeBoer Ashlyn DeBoer 5'10" | S Lincoln Lutheran | 2022 State NE , 5’4 L Raegan Holle Raegan Holle 5'5" | DS/L Lincoln Lutheran | 2022 State NE , 6’ MH Molli Martin Molli Martin 5'11" | MB Lincoln Lutheran | 2022 State NE , and 5’6 Hannah Kile Hannah Kile 5'7" | OH Raymond Central | 2022 State NE already in our rankings, look for 2021’s Addi Ernstmeyer Addi Ernstmeyer 5'9" | OH Lincoln Lutheran | 2021 NE and Mara Otte Mara Otte 5'8" | S Lincoln Lutheran | 2021 NE , (Spoilier Alerts!) 2022 Shenae Bergt, and 2023 Abby Wachal Abby Wachal 5'10" | OH Lincoln Lutheran | 2023 State NE add additional depth. And, don’t forget Lutheran opponents will find a big block in 6’4 junior transfer Katelynn Oxley. Katelynn comes from Lincoln East and played in the Nebraska Juniors program (HUDL Highlights).
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Addi Ernstmeyer
Addi
Ernstmeyer
5'9" | OH
Lincoln Lutheran | 2021
NE
| 2021 | 5’9″ OH
Player Summary and Outlook:
Played a backup role as OH last season
Addi’s comments: “When I started High School volleyball as a freshmen, I was previously a middle with some experience with setting. The coaches thought that outside would be a better fit for me and I’ve played that position ever since.”
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Mara Otte
Mara
Otte
5'8" | S
Lincoln Lutheran | 2021
NE
| 2021 | 5’8″ S | Nebraska ONE 17 Lime | UNCOMMITTED AND INTERESTED
HUDL Highlights
Player Summary and Outlook:
Should fill the other setter role in a 6-2
Mara’s comments: “It will definitely have a different vibe without some of our seniors, but most of us already have a strong connection. I don’t think it will be hard to include new players this year, we all just need to have the same mindset.”
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Shanae Bergt
Shanae
Bergt
5'8" | OH
Lincoln Lutheran | 2022
NE
| 2022 | 5’8″ OH/RS
Player Summary and Outlook:
Played a backup role as RS/DS last season
“We have a talented group of girls and I am looking forward to the season. We did lose a strong group of seniors from last years team, so I was looking forward to summer ball in order to get our chemistry established prior to the season starting. I have played a number of positions which I have been able to learn a lot from. This year I will focus more on outside/right side hitter.”
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Abby Wachal
Abby
Wachal
5'10" | OH
Lincoln Lutheran | 2023
State
NE
| 2023 | 5’10″ OH | VCN 15 Elite | UNCOMMITTED AND INTERESTED
Player Summary and Outlook:
Started as OH2, over 200 kills
2019 Stats:
Kills/Set, Total, Hitting Percentage: 2.8, 198, .227
Abby comments, “I think the communication is great most of the time, being new on the court as of last year I thought the communication was very good and as a team we were/are able to adapt to the situation and players to put our best foot forward.”