Top Available “Live Eye” 2022 Attackers – A January Review
With one more week to go in January, I wanted to take time to reflect on some of the top athletes I’ve seen so far this season. We hosted our Prep Dig Resolution in Appleton and the Prep Dig Quad…
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Continue ReadingWith one more week to go in January, I wanted to take time to reflect on some of the top athletes I’ve seen so far this season. We hosted our Prep Dig Resolution in Appleton and the Prep Dig Quad Cities Clash in Bettendorf, IA where we were able to see teams and athletes from multiple states. I call these the “Live Eye” observations because I’m seeing everything in person that maybe cannot always be viewed on video. We’ll start with pins from the Class of 2022 where there are plenty available who would make a big impact at the next level. Again, this is only from the start of January 2021. I will continue to update throughout the club season as we continue to cover as many athletes as possible at Prep Dig.
Class of 2022 Pin Hitters
Brianna Cantrell Brianna Cantrell OH Appleton North | 2022 State #104 Nation WI – FC Elite 18 Elite (WI)
I’ve seen Cantrell play plenty of times, but her game has risen to another level. She had a strong start to the year at the Prep Dig Resolution so I did see her live, but I was also able to catch some matches on BallerTV from the 18s Qualifier in Indy where she proved she is terminal against high level defenses. A physical attacker, she proved that her stock is high on the rise while she is also one who can score points out of the backrow.
Aida Shadewald Aida Shadewald 5'11" | OH Sauk Prairie | 2022 State #184 Nation WI out of serve receive scoring points early this morning pic.twitter.com/UB3wUxYTgY
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) January 17, 2021
Aida Shadewald Aida Shadewald 5'11" | OH Sauk Prairie | 2022 State #184 Nation WI – Sting United 17 Red (WI)
Shadewald earned all the honors this fall, but seeing her at the Quad Cities Clash, her athleticism and physicality speaks for itself. She hits a heavy ball and can be such a threat out of system making something out of nothing. I’m sure she is on the radar of plenty of schools throughout the Midwest and can be utilized in a variety of ways at the next level.
Gianna Trotter Gianna Trotter 5'11" | OH Fond du Lac | 2022 State WI had a huge fall in the Prep Dig Fall League. She is carrying that momentum into 2021. Physical and athletic Class of 2022 outside @FDLGVB FDL Fusion pic.twitter.com/ktnAumLSYW
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) January 2, 2021
Gianna Trotter Gianna Trotter 5'11" | OH Fond du Lac | 2022 State WI – FDL Fusion 17 Purple (WI)
Huge arm. Trotter is a big time attacker who can hit a heavy ball. She is a bit under the radar and is extremely offensive, but with her style, she can score points from the left side. A lot of athleticism and explosiveness, she is a key piece to the puzzle for this 17s team out of Fond du Lac, WI.
Brooke Porter Brooke Porter OH Muskego | 2022 State WI – Motion MVP ‘ last=”] 17 Blue (WI)
Porter is not afraid to take a big rip, she is aggressive and a threat in all six rotations, a no fear style to her game. She is a key piece to the MVP ‘ last=”] 17 Blue team who has a lot of offensive firepower. When things get down to crunch time, it’s Porter they look to in order to score big points.
Ella McLaughlin Ella McLaughlin 5'10" | OH North Scott | 2022 State IA – Iowa Rockets 17R (IA)
So efficient. McLaughlin has been a consistent point scorer for Iowa Rockets 17R where this team has been a really strong, cohesive unit for a few years. Still uncommitted from the Class of 2022, she will have plenty of options at the next level with the combination of strong academics and all around ability. She had a huge high school season for North Scott High School and has carried this momentum into 2021.
Myka Roethel Myka Roethel OH Howards Grove | 2022 State WI – FC Elite 18 Navy (WI)
Roethel has been a little under the radar in the Class of 2022 having always played a year up, but her all around ability is what really stands out. She can play on either pin, has extremely strong ball control, and is always a threat from the service line. Roethel is also crafty from the pin where she knows how to mix the shots as well as use the block to score points.
More names to note! Hallway through Wave 1
Aida Shadewald Aida Shadewald 5'11" | OH Sauk Prairie | 2022 State #184 Nation WI – @RecruitMKESting
Chelsea Williams – @SkyHighVB
Amanda Holsen Amanda Holsen 5'11" | OH Stevenson | 2022 State #180 Nation IL – @SkyHighVB
Maddie Moan Maddie Moan 6'0" | MB Woodstock | 2022 State IL – @SkyHighVB
Madison Geise Madison Geise 6'0" | S Roland-Story | 2022 State IA – @iowapowervb pic.twitter.com/eSLzMOiRe4— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) January 16, 2021
Amanda Holsen Amanda Holsen 5'11" | OH Stevenson | 2022 State #180 Nation IL – Sky High Adidas 17 Black (IL)
I was extremely impressed with Holsen at the Quad Cities Clash with her Sky High Adidas 17 Black team. She approaches with speed and has a fast arm to go with it as well. She knows when to go high hands and use what the defense is giving her to score points.
Katie Stephens Katie Stephens 6'0" | MB Burlington Notre Dame | 2022 State IA – Iowa Rockets 17-1 (IA)
The upside of Stephens is super high. She’s long, athletic, and when she can snap on the ball it’s dangerous. Iowa Rockets 17-1 is going to be a tough squad that will definitely sneak up on teams and have plenty of weapons they can use in multiple positions. The progress that Stephens can make in this season will be fun to keep tabs on with her springs and big time potential.
Bella Van Lannen Bella Van Lannen 6'0" | RS Appleton North | 2022 State WI 2022 RS of @FCEliteVB 17 Navy has been on 🔥 all weekend. Scores points on both pins. The improvement in the past year has been so fun to watch. A 2022 on the 📈📈📈 pic.twitter.com/bK57GIPLs5
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) January 3, 2021
Bella Van Lannen Bella Van Lannen 6'0" | RS Appleton North | 2022 State WI – FC Elite 17 Navy (WI)
Van Lannen is primarily on the right side for FC Elite 17 Navy, who will be competing in 17 Open at NLQ in Omaha this weekend. Van Lannen can hit a variety of angles and can come in the middle to score points as well. Her game has really taken off since the summer where even though she didn’t have a high school season, she was extremely terminal in the Prep Dig Fall League and Fall Events. She will be a key part in scoring points for a well balanced FC Elite 17 Navy team.
Dorci Walker Dorci Walker OH Columbus Catholic | 2022 State WI – Wisconsin Ice 18 Purple
Walker can score points and is becoming a really explosive all around player. She is one of the top athletes out of the Class of 2022 in her area and has been making waves across the state. An active arm that can score points anywhere along the front line, she will be really key to the success of Ice 18 Purple this season.