Freshmen (2025’s) Make Big Statement at Asics Challenge
Being at the varsity level as a freshman is a privilege, an honor for most. This can also be a little daunting for these 14 and 15 year olds who are competing on a bigger stage while also navigating the…
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Continue ReadingBeing at the varsity level as a freshman is a privilege, an honor for most. This can also be a little daunting for these 14 and 15 year olds who are competing on a bigger stage while also navigating the new landscape of high school and the extra nuances of academics, activities, and the social aspect of being the new kids on the block. For these athletes over the course of the weekend, they did not play as freshmen. They were competing against some of the top teams in the country and top players in the country (regardless of age).
@dsha_vb looking strong at the #asicschallenge – 2025 prospect Madison Quest breaking out the jump top tonight. This program is always so disciplined and fun to watch.
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) October 2, 2021
Madison Quest – Divine Savior Holy Angels (WI)
Quest has made a major splash in Wisconsin, but will soon be on the national radar as a 6’3 outside hitter who can serve receive, pass, and attack from anywhere on the court. She’s incorporated a top spin jump serve that will be another way of scoring points for the Dashers. She is a big part of the DSHA scheme and is now a part of the opposing team’s scheme on how to be stopped. She’s that good where teams will have to slow down Quest in order to take down DSHA. This past summer, she was on the All Tournament Team at the USAV 14 Open level for Milwaukee Sting 14 Gold who made the final four.
Another freshman on the radar. This time it’s Ava Tilden for @NDA_athletics pic.twitter.com/yZAQf2Ux9b
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) October 2, 2021
Ava Tilden – Notre Dame Academy (KY)
Really springy! Tilden plays on the outside for the Pandas where she has an aggressive approach and a big jump where she can swing away. She has plenty of positive intangibles with how she connects with her teammates and plays with confidence on the court. She came up with some big kills in the semifinals vs McAuley and the finals vs Assumption. This NDA team has a quiet confidence where they rise to the occasion and Tilden falls right in with that vibe on their team.
Brooke Aslakson – Sussex Hamilton (WI)
Eva Finnessy – Sussex Hamilton (WI)
Sussex Hamilton out of the suburban Milwaukee area had a solid weekend, with their only loss coming to Assumption in three sets on Friday night. The Chargers lost plenty of athletes from their 2020 state championships team due to graduation, but are reloading with underclassmen like Aslakson and Finnessy. Aslakson is a middle blocker who moves extremely well along the net. She can anticipate the next swing and has a very high IQ along the middle where she makes herself available in transition. Finnessy is a really physical athlete who is used mostly on the right side. She sets a strong block and has a big swing. The block of Aslakson and Finnessy will be a force to be reckoned with over the next four years of their career.
Lillian Vitera has been a huge spark for @SkuttCatholicVB starting set three with two kills early. She works extremely hard to get to the pin and transition to attack. She is only a freshman.
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) October 2, 2021
Lillian Vitera – Skutt Catholic (NE)
Speaking middle blockers, lets talk Lillian Vitera of Skutt Catholic out of Omaha. Skutt is another team who graduated plenty of powerhouse players in 2020 and are replenishing with youth who are eager to contribute in a Skyhawk jersey. I was really impressed with the motor that Vitera plays with. She works extremely hard to close the block on the pin to transition to be available in the middle. This is a PSA for all middles that if you work hard in transition to be an available attacker you will get rewarded.
Take the ball out of the setters hands. @RedHawkVB #asicschallenge pic.twitter.com/MM6yPpLrFy
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) October 2, 2021
Bella Bullington – Marist (IL) (Title Photo)
Maddie Berry – Marist (IL)
MaTaia Lawson – Marist (IL)
The last time I watched Marist play was when Camryn Hannah was the show at Marist where she is now competing for Clemson. Marist still has plenty of power (stay tuned for more articles), but this year they have a crew of freshmen who are key contributors at a high level. Bella Bullington caught my eye first where she was swinging from the pin in a Friday night match and she continued to impress throughout the weekend. A high snap from the pin at 6’1 as a Freshman? Yes, put her on your radar.
Maddie Berry is in a tough position. She’s a freshman running a 5-1 offense for one of the top programs in the Midwest. Oh, and she’s 5’5. Her sets are on the money. She runs the middles extremely well and she uses all of her attackers. I can’t recall a time where she was called for a double, she found the open matchups and kept the other side of the net off balanced. A solid defender as well, she knows how to set her attackers up for success.
Mataia Lawson was used primarily as a defensive specialist, but she showed plenty of athleticism in the backrow. As a freshman at a program like Marist, you have to earn your spot and Lawson showed she can defend against top attackers. This Marist team is still relatively young and has the makings to be something really special.