John Tawa’s prepvolleyball.com rated this year’s freshman class at the U the No. 1 in the country. Well, Gophers coach Mike Hebert already has two highly recruited player locked up for 2010. They are Ashley Wittman of Shakopee and Tori Dixon of Burnsville.

Tawa’s web site, which relies on college coaches, rates Wittman No. 8 and Dixon No. 13 in the country.  Here is what prepvolleyball.com says about each:

Ashley Wittman, 6-0 OH, Shakopee (Minnesota), Northern Lights

Ashley Wittman is the epitome of a complete player. A fierce and driven competitor, she has great leaping ability (recently touching 10-5!), a hammer for an arm and an unyielding desire to win. In high school, Wittman is the reigning National Junior of the Year and her Shakopee High School team is working on its third straight Minnesota AAA championship.

Her Northern Lights club team won back-to-back-to-back AAU National Championships and earned three Open Division medals. She’s been a major contributor to that success in virtually every rotation. Wittman is an unstoppable force on the court. She has excellent range as a hitter, can attack any tempo and hits a mean high ball. She is a strong block on the left side. She is a primary passer and has a tough jump float serve. Due to her long, agile body, she covers a lot of court defensively and is very accurate with her digging. A 4.0 student, this Minnesota

My comments: 6-6 Tabi Love can touch 10-5 1/2, so Ashley is in the same stratosphere. And Love’s father said, if he had to do it over again, Tabi would have enrolled at the U early like Ashley is planning to do. Might be a trend.

Tetori “Tori” Dixon, 6-3 MB, Burnsville (Minnesota), Northern Lights

At 6-3 and extremely strong, Dixon is a formidable and intimidating opponent. While her father (former Minnesota Viking Offensive Guard David Dixon) blocked for quarterbacks and running backs, Tori does some outstanding blocking of her own. Beyond being a supreme rejecter, Dixon has all-around skills that surprise. She plays middle for the celebrated Northern Lights team but lives on the outside for her high school squad.

A powerful attacker, Dixon can put a high ball through the floor just as well as a slide. She has a wicked jump-float or jump-topspin serve. And don’t make fun of the tall girl back there passing and playing defense – 6-3 can reach a lot more balls than 5-2. A former Youth National Team player with her Lights teammates Ashley Wittman and Molly Kreklow, Dixon is committed to Minnesota. A confident, consistent player and a winner, Dixon has the skills to contribute immediately.

My comment: She’s a keeper, that’s for sure.

And a third Minnesota kid that got away to play for her uncle:

 20. Molly Kreklow, 6-0 S, Delano (Minnesota), Northern Lights

The Missouri Tigers will add another Kreklow to their volleyball roster in 2010. Kreklow will play in Columbia in 2010 where her uncle, Wayne Kreklow, is the head coach. Volleyball obviously runs in the family – her mother played for Drake University and was an all conference performer. Molly is a skilled, experienced setter with the ability to contribute immediately at Missouri. Her height and athleticism give her an advantage over most setters, but it’s her court sense and volleyball acumen that set her apart. Kreklow is a former U.S.A. Youth National Team player with a proven track record. Her Northern Lights club teams have won three AAU National Championships, a Junior Olympic Silver Medal, and two Bronze Medals with her at the helm. One fun fact: Kreklow is one of 7.8 siblings – her mom is due with number eight next month.

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