Midwest Recruits Invading the SEC
The Midwest kids love the warmth! When an opportunity comes along to play big time college volleyball and ditch the winter coat (especially this time of year), why not? The SEC is up and coming, with plenty of programs who…
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Continue ReadingThe Midwest kids love the warmth! When an opportunity comes along to play big time college volleyball and ditch the winter coat (especially this time of year), why not? The SEC is up and coming, with plenty of programs who are on the rise with a influx of athletes coming from the Midwest. With Prep Dig going National, we will continue to take a look at more states, all states in fact with what is coming up in the volleyball world and recruiting trends. We’re looking Midwest to SEC, with a trend we will continue to see.
Congrats to Haley Melby on her commitment to the University of Kentucky. We are so proud and happy for you Hay! pic.twitter.com/PPPHhVtFV5
— Michio Chicago VBA (@MichioVba) January 25, 2022
Kentucky
Kentucky was starting to bring some Midwest athletes in before their rise to a national championship. Madison Lilley came out of Kansas City, having a highly decorated career as a Wildcat, and more are following. In the Class of 2022, Haley Melby out of Munster, Indiana recently committed to Kentucky after previously being a verbal commit to Iowa prior to their coaching change. Melby is long, athletic, and is such a smooth player. She contacts the ball high and has an incredibly high ceiling at the next level. In the Class of 2023, Kentucky has one of the top setters in the country committed in Ava Sarafa from Michigan Elite along with other top prospects in Brooke Bultema (Elevation – OH) and Brooklyn DeLeye (Topeka Impact).
@GatorsVB commit Kira Hutson with the kill. Long and athletic she can hit a variety of angles
BHS 16
MV 13 pic.twitter.com/XVs4eCJJSF— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) November 13, 2021
Florida Going Big
Florida continues to bring in athletes who are always going to be a physical presence at the net at all front row positions. 2022’s Alexis Stucky out of Wyoming has experience with the US Youth National Team and Carly Hendrickson out of Elevation (OH) are heading to Gainesville. The Class of 2023 is bringing in plenty of power from the Midwest. Kira Hutson plays for Team One, a small club out of Chicagoland, but she is one of the top outsides in the country. She was a major piece of Metea Valley taking the large class state title in Illinois. A live arm, solid in all six rotations, she is going to be an exciting athlete to watch. The Gators are also bringing in Kennedy Martin out of Wisconsin where she is an extremely physical frontline player at 6’6 and touching in the mid to high 10s. She has played primarily on the right side, but is developing into a player who can score on both pins.
Kennedy Wagner off to a hot start. She’s big time. A swag to her game where she is confident, active, and just electric. Class of 2023 pin for @1stAllianceVBC
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) March 13, 2021
Mississippi Schools Bringing In More Midwest
Mississippi State and Ole Miss had historical seasons and their recruiting is benefitting from their recent success. Mississippi State is bringing Caylee Sharkey from Sports Performance out of Chicagoland, a 6’3 right side and out of the Class of 2023, another top setter out of Michigan in Erin Kline who has been setting for Legacy, one of the top 17s teams in the country. Ole Miss is bringing in Alyssa Borellis out of the Detroit area as well, she is setting for Michigan Elite 18 Mizuno. Tessa Jones and Cammy Niesen will be coming out of the Cincinnati area and Shayla Meyer is coming out of Nebraska. In the Class of 2023, Ole Miss is getting an absolute, electric outside hitter from Valparaiso, IN and 1st Alliance in Kennedy Wagner, she is going to be a fun athlete to watch. She plays in the same conference as Kentucky commit Haley Melby. The Ohio connection continues in the Class of 2023 in Jonna Spohn from Mintonette.
@MorganRank of @meteagirlsvb just making it happen in the @IHSA_IL Class 4A state championship. She’s heading to @AlabamaVBall #espntop10 pic.twitter.com/J3bPcgXmTw
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) November 14, 2021
War Eagle and Roll Tide
Auburn struck gold from the Midwest with multiple athletes who could make an immediate impact for them as soon as this upcoming fall as freshmen. Kendal Kemp, a 6’6 middle blocker, is a highly touted prospect out of the Twin Cities in Minnesota where she played for Northern Lights. She will be joined by other Midwest athletes in her recruiting class that include libero Sarah Morton (Michio), Madison Scheer (Rockwood Thunder), and Isabel Zimmerman (KC Power).
Alabama recently hired Rashinda Reed who was previously an assistant at Illinois and has plenty of Midwest recruiting connections. Morgan Rank from Sports Performance and Metea Valley in the Chicago area is a gritty libero who teamed up with Florida recruit, Kira Hutson to win the large school state title this past fall. She could be an instant impact. Alabama also picked up some front line size from Kyla Dunaway out of Wisconsin. A 6’4 middle blocker with plenty of athleticism, Dunaway can block and score points. She is teaming up with Florida commit, Kennedy Martin, for FC Elite 18 Elite where they have already picked up an 18 Open bid to USA Nationals.
SO beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to play volleyball & continue my education at The University of Alabama!! A HUGE thanks to my amazing family, teammates, friends, coaches, & mentors. I’M SO EXCITED for the next 4! ❤️🤍🐘#rolltide #rtr pic.twitter.com/f6MqXWU1He
— Kyla Dunaway ✞ (@kyladunaway) January 12, 2022
Other Midwest Commits Going SEC
Arkansas
Kylie Weeks – Elkhorn, NE – Nebraska Elite
Logan Jones – Carl Junction, MO – MAVS (2023)
Ava Roth – Festus, MO – Rockwood Thunder (2023)
Georgia
Estelle Haugen – SW Christian (MN) – Northern Lights
Missouri
Jasmine Dulan – Leawood, KS – Dynasty
Madilyn Sell – Chesterfield, MO – Rockwood Thunder
Estella Zatechka – Omaha, NE – Premier NE
South Carolina
Campbell Paris – Barrington, IL – Sky High (2023)
Right as Aquin is making another big run Caroline Kerr finds an opening @stmvolleyball 23@aquinvolleyball 19 pic.twitter.com/XIlmde7dIR
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) November 12, 2021
Tennessee
Caroline Kerr – Champaign, IL – Illini Elite
Sydney Jaynes – Northfield, MN – Northern Lights (2023)
Texas A&M
Ital Lopuyo – Omaha, NE – Nebraska Juniors
Alayna Pearson – Overland Park, KS – KC Power (2023)