Sophomores To Watch In Wisconsin For 2018
There’s the saying of having a “Sophomore Slump”, but I don’t think that will be the case with these athletes. Freshman year of high school can be a little bit awkward, lots of “new” adjusting to a new school, new…
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Continue ReadingThere’s the saying of having a “Sophomore Slump”, but I don’t think that will be the case with these athletes. Freshman year of high school can be a little bit awkward, lots of “new” adjusting to a new school, new friends, and some are mixed among hundreds of other kids. Oh, and there is volleyball and an increased academic load that is all part of the adjustment. Progress happens differently for each student athlete, but for most there is a lot of gains made between Freshman and Sophomore year. Here is a look at a few athletes who are ready to breakout and be an impact for their team, in their conference, and for some at the state level.
Sam Naber – Libero – Burlington
Naber is one for one in high school seasons and state titles playing for Burlington. The scrappy libero had her showing to the rest of the Wisconsin volleyball world at the state tournament, where she was named 2nd team All State as a Freshman. Burlington will be loaded with talent again this year, but will need to replace some key players on the outside due to graduation. With Naber and Maddie Berezowitz in the backrow defense will be their key to continued success. Naber committed to Marquette this past spring.
Cora Behnke – Outside Hitter – Oconto
Behnke was one of the key cogs to an FC Elite finish at the USA National Division Gold Bracket. The 6’1 Sophomore to be has a heavy swing with the ability to hit cross or line, but is also a solid defensive player and serve receiver which makes her a lethal threat in all six rotations. As a Freshman, Behnke had just under 300 kills and will be looking to lead the Blue Devils to a deep postseason run in Division 3.
Josie Halbleib – Setter/Right Side – Sun Prairie
Halblieb is 6’1, left handed and the ability to set and hit with the best of them. Sun Prairie is always a top program in the Madison area and this year will be no different. Halbleib can hurt opponents in so many ways with the ability to score on every play, along with putting up a big block. With continued training at SP and Capital Volleyball, Halbleib will continue to rise on the radar for Class of 2021 recruits.
Payton Addink – Outside Hitter – Sun Prairie
Addink and Halbleib have been high school and club teammates that will continue to be quite the duo. Addink is the prototypical outside hitter that has an extremely high contact point. With a high reach and at 6’0 tall she will be able to score points in a hurry. With her and Loyola recruit, Karlee McNabb on the outside for Sun Prairie they will continue the tradition for the Cardinals and what is scary is that there are still more years to come for these young, talented athletes.
Lizzie Binder – Outside Hitter/Right Side – Sheboygan North
Binder is the top available prospect in the Class of 2021 with plenty of Division 1 interest from across the country. Her skill set is very rare with the ability to play on either pin as well as efficiently pass and play defense in the backrow. With the graduation of Lauren Spaulding (UW Milwaukee) from North, Binder will be receiving plenty of swings on the pin for a team who will be looking to win an FRCC title as well as make a deep post season run.
Morgan Yenter – Setter – Oshkosh West
Yenter was an all conference player as a Freshman in the Fox Valley Association which is always a conference full of depth. Yenter is nearly six foot and left handed that can be very physical and offensive at the net. She will have fellow Sophomore Natalie Johanknect and Eva Beeth to set to as the Wildcats will be looking to break through the top tier of teams in the conference with Neenah, Appleton North, and Kimberly. Could this be the year they turn some heads and bring home some big wins?
Alexis Boling – Middle Blocker – Waukesha West
Boling is such a force out of the middle. One of the best athletes in the Sophomore class, Boling can play any of the front row positions. With a high volleyball IQ she connects extremely well on an uptempo set, or is very terminal off one foot. Boling’s Midwest Penguin club team won the Badger Region Qualifier, and Boling was named to the Great Lakes Power League Super Open All Tournament Team. This year Waukesha West has some athletes with the makings to make a statement in the Milwaukee area.
Linnea Willer – Outside Hitter – Freedom
Willer was a 1st team All Conference player, the only Freshman to earn that honor in the North Eastern Conference. A very athletic and physical player, Willer’s swing packs a punch. Willer teamed with Behnke on the pin for FC Elite to have a breakout club season which put her on the radar for plenty of college coaches.
Maia Johnson – Middle Blocker – Madison Memorial
Johnson brings a dynamic style of play to the net for Memorial. After a solid club season at Capital and training with High Performance at Green Bay, she will be positioned for a solid season at Memorial. Her dynamic play and athleticism to get from pin to pin is a major plus to her game as well as approaching off one foot to score is not always the easiest skill to have at the 15s level. Johnson has it!
Brooke Mosher – Setter/Outside – Waterloo
There will only be one Mosher on the court this year at Waterloo, which over the past few years there have always been two between Madeline, Claire, and Brooke. Brooke is primarily a setter for Milwaukee Sting, but for Waterloo High School she will do little bit of everything. Last year as a Freshman Mosher had over 400 kills and 400 assists. Mosher was one of the first commits of her class and has given her verbal to play at Illinois.
Robyn Kirsch – Outside Hitter – Wausau West
Kirsch was a key go to play for the Wisconsin Ice 15 National team. An aggressive style of play and swing, she will be a key player for West who is always solid in the Wausau area with DC Everest and Newman Catholic. Kirsch has plenty of athleticism and with 150 kills as a Freshman, she will definitely be one to make an impact right away this season for the Warriors