Athletes To Know Playing Up or Down an Age Division
When the age the athlete plays for doesn’t match up with the graduating year it can at first create some confusion. Even at Prep Dig we can’t always assume if an athlete playing on a 17s team is from the…
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Continue ReadingWhen the age the athlete plays for doesn’t match up with the graduating year it can at first create some confusion. Even at Prep Dig we can’t always assume if an athlete playing on a 17s team is from the Class of 2019. To hopefully clear some confusion here are some top players that might be playing at a different age level that might not necessarily match the year they are graduating. For example if they have an “older birthday” meaning born before September 1 of the year that they are playing for they have to play a year up. Or if they have a “younger birthday” meaning a birthday that is past September 1 they can play a year down. Depending on the needs at different clubs some athletes may need to play up to fill a void in a line up. Here are some athletes to know about that might be in a different graduating class their age defines them as.
*All Athletes Listed Are Uncommitted For College (4/23/2018)
Sheridan Dettman – Libero – Capital Adidas 16 – Watertown
Class of 2019
Dettman is playing on the Capital Adidas 16s team meaning that she would have a younger birthday allowing her to play at the 16s level. After watching Dettman play several times she has taken plenty of points away from the opposing teams. What is strong about Dettman at the libero position is that she is able to able to making the routine play just as easily as she can make the diving dig. Last season at Watertown High School as a Junior, Dettman over 500 digs. This upcoming season Watertown will have Dettman at libero and Isabelle Schauer setting making for a solid could first touches for a team that was 32-10 and undefeated in their conference.
Tommy Albers – Setter – Milwaukee Sting 18 Black – Neenah
Class of 2019
Albers is part of Milwaukee Sting 18 Black that will be competing at the national tournament this weekend. As a setter running a 6-2, Albers provides defense and consistency. She runs a 5-1 for Neenah and was an All Conference setter for the Rockets who were consistently ranked in the top five of Division 1 last season. In 2017, Albers was just under 1000 assists with Addie Barnes being one of her top go to hitters. Neenah will have a strong Senior class with some of those athletes being from the 2016 state championship team. The Rockets also return Barnes, a 1st Team All State player and libero, Kayla Kraus who was the FVA player of the year and All State selection as well.
Taylor Vanden Berg – Setter – Wisconsin Volleyball Academy 18 Red – Appleton North
Class of 2020
Vanden Berg has an older birthday and in addition to that is playing two levels up at the 18s. Vanden Berg in setting years is still relatively new only playing the position full time for two years, but has an incredibly high ceiling being a physical 6’1 offensive threat as well. She can put up a big block, attack, and put a clean ball up for her hitters to terminate. She still has two more years of high school and club ball to continue her development. Look for her name to continue to rise for the prospects of 2020.
Shea Lauria – Libero – Wisconsin Premier 18 Teal – Brookfield East
Class of 2019
Lauria is a libero prospect on the rise playing up on the 18s team for Wisconsin Premier 18 Teal that has been on a hot streak as of late. Lauria is a spark for Premier, with her stock rising as a 2019 libero, Lauria is one that has all of the intangibles of a libero that is a great communicator, solid platform, and can put up a great second ball. Lauria will be a top defender for Brookfield East who is always a top contender in the Greater Metro Conference.
Maddie Barber – Middle Blocker – Milwaukee Sting 17 Gold – Cedarburg
Class of 2020
Barber is a 6’2 middle blocker playing up on Milwaukee Sting 17 Gold with plenty of Division 1 talent around her. Barber is also the younger sister of Marquette standout, Allie Barber, who has established herself as one of the top players in the Big East. Barber will be quite the 1-2 punch for Cedarburg this upcoming fall who also has Creighton commit, Kiara Reinhardt playing middle blocker as well.
Marissa Kleman – Outside/Middle – V-Hawk Xtreme 18 National – La Crosse Logan
Class of 2020
Kleman has been playing up on the 18 National Team for V-Hawk Xtreme out of La Crosse. This team is full of talent with many athletes committed to Viterbo, an NAIA powerhouse, or some of the Minnesota D2 schools. Kleman is definitely a Division 1/high Division 2 prospect who can play in the middle or on the pin. Playing up two levels on the national level is quite a jump, but the speed of the 18s will definitely help Kleman prepare for the next level, plus being on a national schedule definitely gives her a lot of exposure to top level coaches and talented opponents.
Ella Foti – Setter – Capital Adidas 16 – Madison Edgewood
Class of 2021
Foti was slated to play up on the Capital Adidas 16s team this winter, but a knee injury has caused her to sit out the season. With a full recovery Foti will be fun to watch take the court for Madison Edgewood and for Capital. Foti is also a standout basketball player. There is Division 1 lineage in her family with her sister Samantha playing for Xavier in the Big East Conference.
There is quite a crew coming up in the Class of 2022 that is already playing up in the 15s this year. They have yet to play a set of high school volleyball, but are already on the radar of colleges and could make a potential impact on their high school teams this Fall as Freshmen.
Class of 2022 Noteworthy Athletes Playing Up On 15s
Aspen Jankowski – Outside Hitter – Milwaukee Sting 15 White
Karissa Kaminksi – Setter – FC Elite 15 Navy – Howards Grove
Natalie Ring – Outside Hitter – Capital Adidas 15 – Edgewood
Myka Roethel – Outside Hitter – FC Elite 15 Navy – Howards Grove
Gionna Trotter – Outside Hitter – FDL Fusion 15 Purple – Fond du Lac High School
Mckenna Wucherer – Outside Hitter – Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold – Brookfield Central