Top Two on the 2’s: A Look Into the Minnesota Club 2’s Teams
Back to back games, glamorous fluorescent lights, floor burns, the sound of whistles, and the smell of concession food, it’s that time of year again! As we get into the heart of the tournament season for club volleyball, keep an…
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Continue ReadingBack to back games, glamorous fluorescent lights, floor burns, the sound of whistles, and the smell of concession food, it’s that time of year again!
As we get into the heart of the tournament season for club volleyball, keep an eye out for the girls on the 2’s teams. The girls that didn’t quite make the 1’s teams but have much to prove. With the recruiting season being slightly different from most years, take a moment to remember that many girls are still looking for teams to play for!
Here are a couple of uncommitted, stand-out players that might catch your eye throughout the club season.
Minnesota Select
Keya Luta Win Hunt Keya Luta Win Hunt 6'0" | S Breck | 2022 State MN – 2022 – Setter – #13 Minnesota Select – #13 Breck High School
Keya Luta Win Hunt Keya Luta Win Hunt 6'0" | S Breck | 2022 State MN , it’s in the name. With quick hands and an incredible feeling for placing the ball, Keya has a great sense of the court. In many of her highlight videos, her ability to connect with her middles in various locations and timing is incredible. As a former middle myself, it is a beautiful thing to watch. Not only is her awareness of her players impressive, but her recognition of open spots on the opposing court is impeccable.
Keya is also the glue and leader for her team, playing a 5-1 rotation. With that being said, included in her highlights is her blocking abilities. A solid blocker, and we love a right-side who sets the edge – and gets excited about it!
However, not only is she a determined athlete, she is a great teammate. Keya and her team finished 5th in the Northern Lights Qualifier this past weekend, and she was not shy of complimenting her team on Twitter right after the big accomplishment.
Keya’s quote she wants you to remember her by: “Practice makes progress!”
Check out her “team first” attitude in the tweet below and give her a follow!
So proud of my team! We got 5th place at the NLQ in 17 USA!! Thank you to my coaches!!😊 Highlights posted at https://t.co/5vv2g9DGyc and https://t.co/UEXkztPY8C pic.twitter.com/HtlfuiWvGL
— KeyaLutaWinHuntVB (@Keya_Hunt22) February 2, 2021
Katy Riviere Katy Riviere 5'11" | S Wayzata | 2022 State MN – 2022 – Opposite (Lefty) – #3 Minnesota Select – #28 Wayzata High School
Katy Riviere Katy Riviere 5'11" | S Wayzata | 2022 State MN , a right side lefty who takes advantage of it! After making history by winning the Minnesota State Tournament with Wayzata High School against the undefeated Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] High School team in 2019, Katy hasn’t slowed down one bit. Once recognized before on our Prep Dig website, this girl continues to use her abilities to help her team win.
Last weekend, Katy exemplified the ideal, blind, go to opposite for a setter. Her transition from blocker to hitter, loud communication, and eyes for the block gave her and her team various opportunities to score on many different occasions. It also helped that when she received the set, she was smart about it. Her eyes to see when the line is open and when to use a drifting blocker is impressive. She also can hit from multiple spots on the net, opening opportunities for a setter to create.
If you happen to see the Minnesota Select 17-2’s team on the tournament schedule, take a peek at the lefty #3!
Melanie Goldstein Melanie Goldstein 5'11" | MB Wayzata | 2022 State MN – 2022 – Middle Hitter/Blocker – #28 Minnesota Select – #27 Wayzata High School
I know I said top 2’s on the 2’s, however, Melanie Goldstine could not go unnoticed! Melanie was another contributor towards the win over Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] High School in the Minnesota State Tournament for Wayzata High School in 2019.
Melanie is a solid middle who gets the job done. She has good footwork and is a very reliable middle. Melanie can hit from the opposite position, the middle, and can run the slide. She can manipulate her hits to avoid the block and works hard in transition.
What is most impressive, though, is her movement without the ball. Melanie continues to run the path given even after the ball is set. Many outside hitters and opposites can appreciate a middle who draws a block, and Melanie does that very well!
Check out Keya, Katy, and Melanie going at it in last weekend’s Northern Lights Qualifier Tournament in the video below!
Mizuno Northern Lights
Abigail Jandro – 2022 – Setter – #28 Mizuno Northern Lights – #7 Lakeville North
Abigail Jandro, also known as Abby, showcased her quick mind, soft hands, and great defense as she and her team secured 3rd place in the Northern Lights Qualifier this past weekend.
Abby’s hands are reliable, which is a dream for every coach. However, her talents mainly shine in her ability to pick the right hitter at the right time. Abby can set the ball from pin to pin from anywhere along the net. If she wants to hit her opposite pin hitter from the outside pin area, she does so.
As for Abby’s defense, she is a go-getter. She does not leave her spot too early but still knows when to release. But, when the ball is in her wheel-house, she takes charge of the situation. She is not afraid to go to the floor. An added bonus? Her digs are high and in the middle of the court.
Abby’s quote she wants you to remember her by: “I love having fun on and off the court!”
Make sure to check Abby out and witness her for yourself in the link below. Her ability to chuck the ball from any area on the court is quite impressive.
Emma Slusser Emma Slusser 6'0" | RS Cottage Grove | 2022 State MN – 2022 – Opposite – #40 Mizuno Northern Lights – #25 Park High School
Emma Slusser Emma Slusser 6'0" | RS Cottage Grove | 2022 State MN is a dominant player and a go-to opposite. Emma is another contributor to the 3rd place win in last weekend’s Northern Lights Qualifier Tournament.
The first talent that sticks out about Emma is her ability to work without the ball. Emma seems always to be working in transition to be an option. Her quick transition skills may be because she wants the ball or because she knows she will kill it. Either way, both statements are safe bets to assume!
Nevertheless, although she works in transition to be an option, she also works on her versatility. Emma is effective on both pins and can hit out of the middle. She is smart with the ball and seems to be paying close attention to the opposing blockers as she hits around and uses them.
Also, Emma’s blocking ability does not go unnoticed. Standing at a tall 6-feet with a standing vertical of 9-feet, Emma uses that to her full advantage. With her height and ability to jump, she can get low and over the net fairly quickly.
Check out her highlights from this past weekend below!
M1 Volleyball
Rebecca Witzel – 2022 – Setter/Opposite – #20 M1 Volleyball – #12 Cretin Derham Hall
Rebecca Witzel, also known as Becca, is a sound setter with a soft touch and a quick release.
Becca is shown in her past fall league as a 5-1 rotation setter, dominating with her quick decisions. Becca shows to be a strong setter with the ability to push the ball to each pin. Even if the second touch happens to be from behind the 10-foot line, she can push it to where it needs to be.
Becca also has a great sense of court awareness. Being in the front row, it is tempting as a setter to dump every set you get to rack up the stats. However, Becca picks the right time to create later confusion for her opposing blockers to help her hitters out. She also takes note of the open corner dumps when in the back row and uses them to open up even more opportunities for her hitters.
Becca’s quote she wants you to remember her by: “No excuses when it comes to achieving your goals.”
Take a look for yourself in the video below!
Jada Young – 2022 – Libero/Defensive Specialist – #19 M1 Volleyball – #1 Central High School
Jada Young has excellent instincts, quick twitch muscle reaction, and solid footwork as the defensive specialist for her M1 Volleyball team. With all these abilities working together, Jada has showcased some great digs and even greater potential!
Jada, with a 4.24 GPA, knows how to read the opposing hitters. Her court IQ shines through with her defensive decisions. Whether it be staying deep on certain plays or where to stand in coverage, Jada seems to be there for the play.
Along with her ability to read a hitter, Jada is quick. Her quick-twitch muscle helps her reading ability to pick up balls that not many other defensive specialists can get. Whether it be open line shots or cross-court deflections, Jada has proven to be on top of it all.
The last thing to notice is Jada’s fundamentals without the ball. Stopped on contact, low, and ready to go, There is not much more to be said; that is a coach’s dream. Because she is stopped on contact, she can move towards and through the ball on all those broken plays. Also, she is vocal. She calls shots for her players and is physically there to help them out on coverage and digs. She is an overall solid player and teammate.
Jada’s quote she wants you to remember her by: “My favorite part of the game is reading the opponents, whether it’s shutting down their offense or calling out spots for scoring points.”
Check out Jada’s highlight reel and skills video below!
Highlight Reel
Skills Video