12 in 2021 To Make a Jump In Rankings This Year
When it comes to the initial rankings of the Class of 2021, some of the placement was like splitting hairs with players so similar to each other. The big picture is the number of high quality players in fifty that are just so close to having a breakout next couple months in the club ranks heading into the end of the season with nationals in June. For some of these athletes, I have seen progression from month to month and even more will be made over the summer. One of the biggest years of improvement is from that 15 to 16s year (or Freshman to Sophomore year in high school). Some of these athletes will go to elite camps or play high performance. Either way, they are all on the edge of making that next jump up in the Class of 2021 rankings.
(In Alphabetical Order)
Payton Addink – Outside Hitter – Sun Prairie – Capital Adidas 15
Addink is right around the top ten when it comes to the top recruits in the Class of 2021. Along with Josie Halbleib, who is a right side on her high school (Sun Prairie) and club team, these two will be a force to be reckoned with the next couple of years. Addink can score from the front or back row. With a high contact point from the outside, she has a variety of shots that work and will continue to be fine tuned. Capital 15 Adidas has been so close in a large handful of matches at GLPL Super Open, it is only a matter of time before this team has a major break through.
Sydney Bitenc – Middle Blocker – Wauwatosa East – Midwest Penguins 15 Black
Midwest Penguins 15 Black has been on an absolute roll lately, most recently winning the Badger Region Qualifier and the National Bid to USAV in Detroit. Bitenc is an athletic middle much like Bray (WVA) and Riley (STING). She is laterally quick and also very springy with a quick, and high touch. She may not have the power offensively that her teammate, Alexis Boling has out of the middle, but her defensive skills are right there getting a touch on a lot of balls one would think would be out of reach. As her offensive game continues to develop she will be quite the threat for MWP and Wauwatosa East.
Hattie Bray – Middle Blocker – Wautoma – Wisconsin Volleyball Academy 15 Black
Bray jumps like a deer and is so smooth along the net. With a touch that is approaching ten feet she will be a middle that is a hidden gem coming out of Wautoma. Her greatest asset is being able to approach and attack off one foot. The more she plays, the better she will get. It will be interesting if Bray will tryout for high performance, putting her against some of the best middles in the region. There is a lot of room for growth for Bray after already establishing herself as a top player for WVA.
Briana Geurts – Middle Blocker – DePere – FC Elite 15 Navy
FC Elite has plenty of power at all positions, and Geurts is no different. At six feet tall, Geurts has a quick swing and is able to put the ball down before the block is even up. She can also move quickly along the net and is establishing herself as quite a defensive player as well. Coming from DePere High School, Geurts will be looked upon to take upon more swings this next Fall in her Sophomore campaign.
Mariah Grunze – Outside Hitter – Waterford – Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold
Grunze is a top ten prospect on the pin that is playing for Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold. In her Freshman campaign at Waterford High School, Grunze had over 300 kills and 300 digs. Her older sister, Mia, is a 2018 Ohio State recruit. Grunze will continue to come into her own and playing the national schedule for Sting Gold against some of the top players in the nation will really benefit her and the exposure to college programs.
Isabella Halcomb – Libero/DS – Catholic Memorial – Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold
Holcomb was also on the Catholic Memorial team that qualified for the state tournament this past fall, she is also on Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold as a libero/ds. Samantha Naber is the top libero in the Class of 2021, but Halcomb is right there in her defensive skills being an important part of Sting Gold. She will be depended upon to carry the backrow of Catholic Memorial over the next couple years!
Kirsten Kraus – Right Side/Setter – Neenah – FC Elite 15 Navy
Kraus could play right side putting up a nice block and being very terminal, she could play on the left side and whale away, or she can set. She is a player with multiple tools, the swiss army knife. Kraus is going to be a key player this upcoming high school season for Neenah who is looking to maintain their dominance in the Fox Valley. Kraus will also be playing alongside her sister, Kayla, a 2019 recruit to Loyola-Chicago.
Camryn Lukenbill – Middle Blocker – Burlington – Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold
Lukenbill has already won a state title for Burlington, being in the middle as a Freshman with a solid hitting efficiency all through the state tournament. Lukenbill is on a team for club and high school that will receive top notch training all year round. She also will have top setters in Kaley Blake (2020) in high school and Brooke Mosher, the top 2021 recruit in club. Lukenbill will continue to climb the ranks while being in an environment to be extremely successful.
Emma Mans – Middle Blocker – Fort Atkinson – FC Elite 15 Navy
Mans is hard working, quick on transition, and extremely physical at the net. She is very dominant for her FC Elite 15’s team that most recently earned an American bid to Nationals in Detroit. Mans also displays the body language you want on a team with enthusiasm for each point and the will to win.
Kaitlyn Riley – Middle Blocker – Catholic Memorial – Milwaukee Sting 15 Black
Extremely strong, athletic, and dynamic, Riley was on the state tournament team this past year for Catholic Memorial. Riley has the ability to play any front row position with her athleticism. This upcoming season Catholic Memorial will be back at the top returning a number of key players which was thought to be a down year despite finishing at the state tournament. However, Milwaukee Sting 15 Black is having a solid season and has been competing at a high level, most recently in the top four of the Gold Premier bracket at Louisville.
Linnea Willer – Outside Hitter – Freedom – FC Elite 15 Navy
The progression I saw from watching Willer play the beginning of January to the middle of February was a huge improvement. Willer is playing high and with authority, with a powerful approach and arm swing she is tough to stop on the outside. A great overall athlete, Willer brings a physicality to the net that will only improve as she continues to develop her all around game. She has the tools to play any position on the front line.
Morgan Yenter – Setter – Oshkosh West – Wisconsin Volleyball Academy 15 Black
Yenter is going to be highly depended upon to lead Oshkosh West to the top tier of teams in the FVA. At just under six foot, Yenter is a left handed setter that can also attack. She was an all conference selection as a setter, and the expectations will be very high. However, her work ethic will meet those expectations as she looks to take her game to the next level. With soft hands and an attacker mentality she will be tough to defend.