Stars and Stripes: Standouts
We are heading into a hot and humid weekend here in Minnesota but we still are not finished highlighting the standouts during the Stars and Stripes tournament. There were all-stars all around the gym this weekend including an uncommitted outside…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWe are heading into a hot and humid weekend here in Minnesota but we still are not finished highlighting the standouts during the Stars and Stripes tournament. There were all-stars all around the gym this weekend including an uncommitted outside (2022) and two 8th graders who showed up and looked like veterans.
Estelle Harsh, 5’10”, Outside, DeLaSalle High School, Impact Volleyball Club
Harsh is normally an outside but can play every position on the court. In one match this weekend I watched her play outside, middle, and right side in her three rotations across the net. She swings high and places well, but she is not only an offensive threat at the net, she can put up a huge block and can dig most hitters into frustration. And just when you thought she was doing it all as a hitter, Harsh actually sets on her high school team. Harsh has leadership and a positive attitude that you can see rub off on her teammates. She truly is a jack of all trades. See her in action here: https://youtu.be/aantjqgb2tI
Ava Bertsch, Setter, Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] High School, Northern Lights
Bertsch has a passion for volleyball which is evident when she steps on the floor. She gets her feet to the ball and and has great ball movement and decisions with her sets to create opportunities for her hitters. She sets a quick tempo ball which keeps her team aggressive. She plays great defense and allows her team to execute well on out of system balls.
Carly Gilk, 6’1″, Middle/Right side, Champlin Park High School, Synergy Volleyball Club
Gilk played mostly on the right side this past weekend which proved to be a great place for her as she was very successful for her team, taking them to the championship match in the 15 open division. She has a huge arm and as an eighth grader she placed the well. Gilk saw the other pin during serve receive and went up like a veteran. Not only does she look like she’s been here before swinging she can also put up a huge block and serve receive well. We are expecting to hear a lot more about her in the future.
Miriam Unongo Miriam Unongo 5'10" | OH DeLaSalle | 2023 State MN , 5’10”, Right side, DeLaSalle High School, Minnesota One Volleyball
Unongo has come a long way in the past two years, as a freshman she transitioned from an outside to a middle, where she saw more success. Then as a sophomore she slid into a role as a right side and she has found her niche. She can outjump most blockers which gives her a pretty open court to swing on. Unongo is now learning how to control her swing in a smart productive way. Over the weekend she laid a shot down the line that had the gym erupt in cheers, a welcome sound inside a Minnesota gym. She can also put up a huge block, thanks to her ups. Check this out: https://youtu.be/zhqqcQCyy3w
Reese Axness, 5’9″, Setter, Champlin Park High School, Synergy Volleyball Club
Axness at just the 14’s age level and an eighth grader stood her ground as a setter this weekend and made a statement. She worked hard to move to the ball quickly, no matter where the ball was passed and set her hitters up for success. It was clear that she had a solid knowledge of the game because that was directly reflected in her decision making.