Wisconsin Rankings Update: Class of 2019 Top Ten
Some of these players have been on the radar since they were 13 or 14, others have risen dramatically in the past couple of years. All are heading to a Division 1 school, some club teammates, high school teammates, that…
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Continue ReadingSome of these players have been on the radar since they were 13 or 14, others have risen dramatically in the past couple of years. All are heading to a Division 1 school, some club teammates, high school teammates, that will continue playing together beyond college. The Class of 2019 is entering their Senior year of high school with many “last times”, but even more memories to be made. The travel to all the club tournaments, the tough losses, combined with the milestone wins. Here is the last time for these athletes to no make, but to add on to the legacy they’ve been building. The top ten of 2019!
When it comes to ranking these top player, it honestly comes to splitting hairs. All of these athletes are amazing, they all have their own niche of what makes them one of the elite, with plenty of notes, observations, talking to high school, club, and college coaches here is the list Prep Dig Wisconsin has established. The next update will come after the high school season. The Class of 2020, 2021, and a Class of 2022 Watch List will come in the following weeks.
Kianna Schmitt – Middle Blocker – Capital Volleyball Academy – Waunakee
Committed To Creighton
Schmitt has been part of the up and coming program in Waunakee that recently made it to the state tournament last season and will have a roster full of talent and experience that will be looking for a return trip. Schmitt is 6’3 and touching 10’3 on her approach. Her ability not only block, but to alter a shot for the defense to make a clean pass and stay in system is what make her court presence so strong. Whether it’s her club or high school team, she has such an impact on both sides of the court. Schmitt will be heading to Creighton which has surged to the top of the Big East and a consistent NCAA Tournament team. Kiara Reinhardt, a 6’2 middle blocker from Cedarburg will be following her a year later for the Jays to have quite the combo in the middle.
Dru Kuck – Libero – Milwaukee Sting – Sheboygan North
Committed to Wisconsin
There are plenty of adjectives to describe the type of player Kuck is with grit, intensity, fierce, and a pure gamechanger. Kuck committed to Wisconsin her Freshman year of high school and has been building her game ever since. An All State player and one of the key cogs to bringing Sheboygan North to the top of their conference, Kuck may have the chance to take a few swings on the outside this year. Her volleyball IQ is what sets her apart from other liberos along with her physicality on the court. She makes plays look routine and can change the momentum of the game with one solid dig that leads to a kill on her side.
Hannah Vanden Berg – Outside Hitter – FC Elite – Little Chute
Committed To Marquette
Vanden Berg had 700 kills last year for Little Chute. 700. Those are video game type numbers with Vanden Berg being one of the top players in Northeast Wisconsin and the hotbed of talent in the Fox Valley. Marquette has picked up some solid in state talent with Allie Barber of Cedarburg and Hope Werch of Neenah, who was recently named Big East Freshman of the Year. Vanden Berg will look to follow suit of those athletes the moment she steps on campus at Marquette.
Maggie Cartwright – Outside Hitter – FC Elite – Kimberly
Committed to Arkansas
Cartwright saw a breakout Junior season for Kimberly, qualifying for the state tournament and earning All State honors with 287 kills and over 300 digs. Cartwright is strong, physical, and quite the attacker. With an approach over 10 feet, Cartwright has gifts you can’t teach with some of her ability. The best of her volleyball is still ahead of her and going to the SEC to play for Arkansas under Coach Jason Watson will bring even more skill and talent out of Cartwright.
Kayce Litzau – Setter – Milwaukee Sting – Greendale
Committed to Wichita State
Litzau has deep volleyball lineage and has been on the radar since she stepped on the court. With three state tournament appearances, starting her Freshman year alongside her sister Lauren who is now at the University of Minnesota, Litzau is looking to cap off her senior year with yet another trip to the Resch. Litzau may be the best all around player in the state with ability to set and play from either pin. Wichita State has developed into a top twenty program and will be gaining another athlete who knows how to win at a high level.
Kayla Kraus – Libero – FC Elite – Neenah
Committed to Loyola
Kraus won a state title with Neenah as the starting libero her Sophomore year while also earning All State honors. In 2017, she was named Player of the Year in the Fox Valley Association, one of the top volleyball conferences in the state. Kraus has been playing at a high level her whole career and will be a solid player to continue the rebuilding process at Loyola under new coach and Wisconsin native Amanda Berkley.
Maddie Koch – Outside Hitter – Wisconsin Volleyball Academy – Ashwaubenon
Committed to Purdue
Koch didn’t start playing a nationals schedule for club volleyball until her 16s year at Wisconsin Volleyball Academy. It didn’t take long for high powered programs to take note. With three older brothers who were standout basketball players at Northern Iowa, the ability has always been there for Koch. With a strong national tournament at AAU’s in 2016 it caught the attention of the Big Ten with Koch making her verbal commit to play for Head Coach Dave Shondell at Purdue. The amount of growth that Koch has shown in the past two years has been outstanding and will only continue as she moves on to the college game.
Addison Barnes – Outside Hitter – FC Elite – Neenah
Committed To Loyola
Barnes already has two 1st Team All State honors to her resume and a state title. She will be taking her game to Loyola with high school and club teammate Kayla Kraus. A six rotation outside hitter who is electric from the pin and a line shot that will put a punish on the opponents, she has the ability to flip flop a game in a matter of a few swings. She will be looking to get to a third state tournament in her career with the Rocket’s Senior heavy roster.
Cece Huhn – Middle Blocker – Wisconsin Volleyball Academy – Plymouth
Committed to Northern Colorado
Huhn really started to spark on the club volleyball scene her 16s year. With a solid blend of athleticism and power, Huhn touches over 10 feet and is very dangerous off a one foot approach. She is a mid major steal for Northern Colorado. The physicality Huhn brings to the net is very underrated, she will continue rise in the ranks as one of the top middles in her class.
Sopheea Mink – Outside Hitter/Middle – Capital Volleyball Academy – DeForest
Committed to High Point
When you can touch over 10’4 on your approach, coaches are going to take note. Mink is a phenomenal athlete who was playing middle at the start of the club season and then started playing on the pin. High Point has established a bit of a pipeline to Wisconsin with former Capital athlete Molly Livingston from Sun Prairie and Haley Barnes (older sister to Addison Barnes). Mink is one of the top high jumpers in the state and with continued training on the volleyball side she could be a dangerous player for DeForest and at the next level for the Panthers.