IMPACT Names from the MEQ Volume 1

The Names that Impacted Us From the NEQ

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What is truly great about the sport of volleyball right now in America is the depth of high quality players across the country. Our crew often talks about how it is so impossible for coaches to find everyone because the quality and and quantity is so much higher each and every year. I know we make progress on our class list, entering more and more athletes sooner in the process (NOT finding everyone by a long shot, but getting closer as we grow in staff) and we still find HIGH VALUE Prospects that are targets for Top 20 programs every time we watch a tourney or walk in a convention center. This weekend was no different as we entered 14 brand new names to our 2027 Big Board on VBAdrenaline.com and here the young ladies that made the biggest impression (both to the staff eyes and our on the ground evaluation committee).

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I will personally say that biggest takeaway team wise was watching both Tribe’s 16-1’s and HPSTL 16-1’s squads. We previously had a couple of the Tribe athletes with Player Profile, but hadn’t watched the team LIVE and man do they past the “College Eye Test” in person. A few will be mentioned below, but they define “high ceiling” when you talk about next-level projections and not getting into team rankings or what they finished in the tourney, simply talking college recruiting and potential. I also felt the same watching HPSTL, just because they are a team that is more impressive when you see them LIVE rather than on film. I found myself sticking around their court longer than planned to watch some prospects.

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Marlee Steiner, 6’4” Middle Blocker HPSTL Initial PPV 232,

Steiner hadn’t had a Player Profile with us and we hadn’t seen her at NIT so we had not watched a ton of her and not live, but we will be watching much more. A solo blocking machine and defensive stopper Marlee is long and quick off the court. She reads well and her reaction time is impressive. She seems to transition quickly as well and terminates the ball when given opportunities. She will quickly move up our discussions and we believe she has moved up the Big Boards of some fairly prestigious programs as well.

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Isabella Lopez, 6’3” OPP Tribe Volleyball PPV 211,

We have followed Lopez for several months and she would be one that is a great definition of a “high college ceiling”. Her frame and experience on the right side, a position without much high end depth in the class increase her value. Her approach is smooth and she looks like she is still growing.  

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Maria Bortoluzzi, 6’3” OH/OPP Tribe Volleyball PPV 208,

Physical OH teammate of Lopez who hits a heavy ball. She takes a majority of swings for the team. Runs multiple routes and moves well. Her vertical game is fine (no Player Profile so not sure of her approach touch #s, but guessing 10’2” ish) can dominate a club match with her arm.

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Isabella Sangha, 6’4” Middle Blocker, Tribe Volleyball Initial PPV 225,

Ok interesting gaining information on Sangha and then watching her closely. She is one of the nation’s top basketball prospects also. At first was said to be a certain basketball commit, but then more and more volleyball interests started coming in and started to sway her a bit. Now it is rumored that she is up in the air on what sport to play and potentially considering playing BOTH. **Which is a great tactic to get them to a school and maybe works for a year, but is nearly impossible to pull off for a career.

But, the talent is definitely there and baed on college ceiling alone we gave her a very high initial PPV and will try and find out more on her college thoughts.

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Sofia Simic, 6’2” OH Fight Club Volleyball Initial PPV 221,

Another one that we had to hear about through the grapevine as we hadn’t watched her squad yet this season. Then after getting to her court, I couldn’t leave it and couldn’t turn off her film yesterday afternoon. Physical and athletic OH who can play all over the court and does it all. She reminded me quite a bit of a couple of Iowa prep stars, but mostly UA All-American Chloe Meester, because of the physical way she attacks the ball and what she does from behind the 10’ line.  

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Ja’Maria Jackson, 5’10” Middle Blocker Munciana Volleyball Initial PPV 148,

Undersized at middle, but really enjoyed watching Jackson and how active she was and her vertical explosion. She was constantly active on both sides of the ball. Runs the slide well, quick transitions and plays above her height. Could be an OPP candidate at next level?

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Toni Odujebe, 5’9” OH/OPP A5 Volleyball Initial PPV 149,

This girl is explosive in all that she does. Odujebe overcomes her smaller frame with a big vertical game and can help a team in all phases. Will need to get in the film room and see if she gets set from behind the 10’ line and how affective she is because that could make her even more valuable. She has a motor and her serve receive is an asset to her game.

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Look for more of our player breakdowns and updated evals and updated PPVs for many athletes following the MEQ coming up on the website in the days to come.