Keeping Up With The Prep Dig Gauntlet
One thing I love about the Prep Dig Gauntlet is with it being a pre-national warm-up, we get to see how far a lot of players have come. The timing also gives us a really good idea of who is hitting…
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Continue ReadingOne thing I love about the Prep Dig Gauntlet is with it being a pre-national warm-up, we get to see how far a lot of players have come. The timing also gives us a really good idea of who is hitting their stride and building confidence before their high school season rolls around. The Gauntlet featured many big-time commits, as well as players who should be receiving plenty of phone calls this summer. We got to see teams that could be competing for an open-level national championship. I also love finding new players to place on my radar and follow along on their journey.
Anja Kelly – 2023 – 6’0 – Middle Blocker – Neuqua Valley (IL) – New Wave 17 Tsunami
Kelly is an uncommitted 2023 middle blocker/outside hitter who has an intimidating presence at the net with athleticism and explosive power. She plays with a high motor, moves well laterally, and covers so much space above the net. Kelly also does a great job of being quick in transition, timing, and getting off the ground quickly to take the ball right out of her setter’s hands and on the ground before she even lands.
Avery Jesewitz Avery Jesewitz 6'4" | OH Wayzata | 2024 State #175 Nation MN , Paige Wagner Paige Wagner 6'3" | MB Lakeville South | 2024 State MN , and Audrey Kocon Audrey Kocon 6'2" | S Mounds View | 2024 State #171 Nation MN – Northern Lights 16-1 (MN)
These players are power-packed where they can swing hard, score at will, and put up a big block at the net. Jesewitz has a really high contact point and a booming swing if you give her any kind of opening. She has good vision, sees the block, and works around it to come up with some big points at critical times for Northern Lights this weekend. Wagner and Kocon aren’t shy about taking a big swing either. They had some really big plays throughout the weekend, even though Kocon was not playing her typical position as a setter/right side hitter. She brought some variety with a heavy lefty swing and the ability to work the angles. Kocon is a very versatile player. Wagner puts up a massive block and creates a complete roof over attackers. She came in clutch as a server and also did a great job of painting the corners as an attacker. If this Northern Lights squad can get healthy, they will surprise plenty of opponents. This group, even with 7 and eventually only 6 players, has a lot of stability, height, a robust defense, and versatility.
Paige Wagner Paige Wagner 6'3" | MB Lakeville South | 2024 State MN of @nlightsvball 16-1 was dominant at the net this weekend. She has such a high ceiling as a 6’3 2024 Middle Blocker and can’t wait to see how far she’ll go! #PDGauntlet @PrepDigChris @PrepDigEvents @PrepDig @PrepDigMN pic.twitter.com/lZJyUH6U4O
— Breit Nelson (@BreitNelson) May 30, 2022
Keira Schmidt Keira Schmidt 6'4" | MB Eagan | 2025 State #86 Nation MN – 2025 – 6’3 – Middle Blocker – Eagan ‘ last=”]’ last=”] (MN) – Northern Lights 15-1
Schmidt was one of my favorite top performers this weekend. Not only was she sweet when I asked to get her picture, but she was genuinely excited about the whole experience. She connects really well with setters, Clara Hoegh Clara Hoegh 5'8" | S Boyden-Hull | 2025 State IA and Olivia Wagner Olivia Wagner 6'0" | S Lakeville South | 2025 State MN . They keep the tempo quick, as well as running a variety of routes. Schmidt works hard in transition to make herself available and is always ready to hit the floor for any stray balls at the net. Her athleticism, height, and attitude give her such a high ceiling. Schmidt has such a high contact point that she was attacking over most blockers and then putting up a huge block on the defensive side. She takes an aggressive approach, and gets off the ground quickly with her hands up and ready. Defensively she reads her hitters well and knows what part of the court to take away with her block.
Lola Tortorello Lola Tortorello S Fenwick | 2024 State IL – 2024 –5’10 – Setter – Fenwick (IL) – New Wave 16 Tsunami
New Wave 16 Tsunami has dynamite with the likes of Tortorello, Siena Steines Siena Steines OH Hinsdale Central | 2024 IL , and Emma Quast Emma Quast OH IL . Tortorello is an athletic lefty with great defensive play to keep the play going. She also took a majority of her swings on the right side and takes a really smart swing off the block. She is a big presence at the net where she can not only take a big swing but also presents a strong block. This squad has quite a bit of firepower and came out on top against a tough MiElite 16 Elite on day 3.
New WAVE 16 Tsunami’s @lolatortorello seals the deal by nailing the seam with her serve. #PDGauntlet @PrepDigChris @PrepDig @PrepDigEvents @prepdigil pic.twitter.com/DB2jSXbLhX
— Breit Nelson (@BreitNelson) May 30, 2022
Rachel Rossing Rachel Rossing 5'9" | S Lake Country Lutheran | 2023 State WI and Katherine Lockwood Katherine Lockwood 5'10" | OH Menomonee Falls | 2023 State WI Milwaukee Sting 17 Black (WI) Combo
I remember seeing Rossing play as a 14 during Badger Region Power League in 2019. This is one of those times that we love being able to watch these players grow and develop through the years. Rossing is an available prospect who has always been a strong and steady performer and a player who brings out the best in those around her. She knows how to better the ball and give her hitters the best opportunity to score. Rossing had a good connection with outside hitter, Katherine Lockwood Katherine Lockwood 5'10" | OH Menomonee Falls | 2023 State WI . Rossing is quick in getting the ball out of her hands and moves the ball around well. Lockwood isn’t committed yet and was showing off her ability to peg the deep cross-corner that is so hard to defend.
Taylor Miedema Taylor Miedema 5'10" | OH Southwest Christian | 2024 State MN – 2024 – 5’10 – Outside Hitter – Southwest Christian – Northern Lights 16-2 (MN)
Miedema was very steady and smart for her squad. She isn’t a super flashy player, which is refreshing, but she is definitely a player you can count on to place the ball with pace. Miedema has really positive body language, is consistent in all rotations, and can take a big swing from the pins. This Northern Lights 16-2 team has a lot of promise, and having a dependable outlet like Miedema sets them up for success. She can score out-of-system and will open things up for Alexa Dietz and Sophia Holland in the middle.