New Discoveries from the 2022 Club Season: Pin Hitters
This feature series will highlight the best part of covering events. Time to talk about some new discoveries. The 2022 club season has given me a fantastic opportunity to scout players that I had never seen before. That’s what this…
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Continue ReadingThis feature series will highlight the best part of covering events. Time to talk about some new discoveries.
The 2022 club season has given me a fantastic opportunity to scout players that I had never seen before. That’s what this series is all about. I always love reporting on the talent in my home territory of Nebraska, but this year has exposed me to so many talents from around the country.
So, it’s time to revisit some of the biggest first impressions from an exciting gauntlet of club events. We’ll be including a medley of standouts from national qualifiers, regional events, and Prep Dig Circuit outings.
Let’s kick it off with the pin hitters.
Kennedy Wagner – 6’1 OH – 1st Alliance 17 Gold – Class of 2023
Let’s kick it all the way back to January for this one. Wagner was a driving force behind that flawless run to a 17 Open NLQ championship for 1st Alliance, and it’s hard to find anything this outside hitter can’t do. While Wagner’s attacking range is impressive, her consistency in serve receive might be her best asset.
Kenna Wollard – 6’1 OH – Illini Elite 17 Cardinal – Class of 2023
I hadn’t gotten many chances to see Illini Elite in live action before this year, but Wollard immediately drew my attention to this club. You can’t help but watch her as she terminates with a lightning-fast arm on the left pin. Better yet, Wollard helps anchor the ball control phase for a solid all-around 17 Cardinal team.
Lauren Perry – 6’0 OH – Dallas Skyline 16 Royal – Class of 2024
It’s hard not to notice Perry’s impact with Dallas Skyline. She does it all. Some rock-solid passing and defense in the backcourt accompany her hard-hitting style on the left pin. I got to see Perry’s skills flourish at the Northern Lights Qualifier in March, and this multi-talented outside hitter has been on my radar ever since.
Grace Agolli – 6’2 RS – A5 Mizuno 16 Gabe – Class of 2024
Agolli was a bit of an unknown to me heading into Triple Crown NIT back in February. She wasn’t an unknown for long. Her physicality and power on the right side fit so well with the dominant front line of A5, and Agolli’s role on this team continues to expand. Watch out for this opposite on the Nationals stage.
Sophia Mayo – 6’1 OH – Circle City 16 Purple – Class of 2024
There was no way to ignore Circle City’s talented group of 2024 athletes after 16 Purple won a Show Me Qualifier championship. Mayo is another high-flying Indiana attacker that I’ll be following after she terminated on a ton of tough swings in Kansas City this year. Of course, Circle City is no stranger to standout pin hitters like Mayo, and 16 Purple’s strong frontcourt offense makes it a surefire national championship contender this summer.
Gillian Koning – 6’2 OH – Capital 17 Adidas – Class of 2024
I went into February’s Prep Dig Chi-Town Classic hoping to add some new hidden gems to my radar, and I got my wish with this outside hitter. Koning made a huge first impression in the Windy City and has convinced me that I need to make a return trip to the Upper Midwest in the very near future.
Camryn Jeffrey – 6’1 OH/MB – A5 Mizuno 15 Bob – Class of 2025
Yes, it looks like A5 is going to have a wealth of talent for a long time. Jeffrey has spent some time at the middle blocker spot, but she absolutely thrived as a left-side hitter at NLQ earlier this year. Her contact point is among one of the best I’ve seen in the 15s age group in 2022, and she brings some athleticism that is well beyond her years.
Carly Gilk – 6’1 RS – Synergy 15-1 – Class of 2025
My discussion of big first impressions would not be complete without Gilk. It’s hard to find another 2025 opposite who handles as much attacking volume as she does, and yet Gilk always brings her best for every swing. This Champlin Park standout has so many big matches ahead of her, and I definitely won’t want to miss them.
Jenna McClure – 5’8 OH – Dynasty 15 Black – Class of 2025
Dynasty is another club that keeps succeeding through its do-it-all outside hitters, and McClure embodies that for 15 Black. She locks down the backcourt like a defensive specialist, but McClure also runs a variety of gaps at the net to score in the front row. Her grit has defined 15 Black’s collection of championship performances this season, and there might be another one coming in Indianapolis.
Emma Koceja – 6’0 OH – MKE Sting 15 Gold – Class of 2025
Koceja has made her presence known at a few events I’ve visited lately, including the Prep Dig Open at the I-X Center in Cleveland. She provides some clutch scoring for 15 Gold when the team is in need of a sideout, and I’ve also taken note of the energy Koceja brings to her side of the net.