Who Will Be The Top 16’s Teams and Players in the Region?
With the final four being the close to the 2018 volleyball season across all levels, we can officially start looking forward to the 2019 club season. Glancing across the level of play across multiple states, it’s hard not to see…
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Continue ReadingWith the final four being the close to the 2018 volleyball season across all levels, we can officially start looking forward to the 2019 club season. Glancing across the level of play across multiple states, it’s hard not to see a glaring spike (no pun intended) in talent to be seen in the 16s Division. Multiple division 1 players that have already committed and ones that will be gaining a lot of attention this upcoming club season. Many of these athletes who fall into the category that were well into their recruiting process when recruiting and contact rule changes were applied which changed the unofficial visits and contacts allowed by college coaches which slowed down the recruiting process a bit. That doesn’t take away from how talented this class is across the board. To say the Midwest is ready to see these teams take the court this upcoming season would be an understatement.
Ava Moes of Lakeville South and Northern LightsMinnesota
In Minnesota, there are the powers of MN Select and Northern Lights which are the common household names of Minnesota and is the same case for this upcoming year with their 16s teams. MN Select 16-1 has athletes in the waiting that will be heavily recruited. Skylar Gray is high flying outside hitter/defensive specialist who has already committed to Minnesota, but will be joined by a very balanced attack which includes 2022 middle Kendall Kemp who is an athletic 6’6, Sophie Jesewitz who is a six rotation outside hitter with an extremely high contact point standing at 6’3, and to quarterback the offense is Jasmine Weidemann who just got done running a 5-1 for Lakeville South who finished 3rd in Minnesota’s largest class. Northern Lights will be gearing up for open bids and big goals to accomplish come June and July with a solid all around team. Ava Moes is a powerful force at the net with her attack and block. The 6’3 right side is bound for a big year. One player to keep an eye who will be a new addition is Erin Lamb. Lamb will be one of the top recruits in Minnesota for volleyball and basketball. The middle blocker, who stands at 6’3 and can touch a basketball rim is going to be dangerous this season.
Wisconsin
Milwaukee Sting has always been one of the top clubs not only in Wisconsin, but throughout the Midwest and the country. 16 Gold will be adding to their team after a strong showing
Brianna Geurts and Linnea Willer of FC Elite go for the block.last year as 15s winning the JVA World Challenge in Louisville. Some new additions to their team are Morgan Yenter, a left handed attacking setter who stands at six feet tall, Alexis Boling, a powerful middle blocker, Natalie Tesch who is a dynamic left handed attacker, and Katie Winkler who has been one of fastest rising prospects on the right side out of Wisconsin. They will also have Anna Holland, a Seton Hall commit as their libero and Lizzie Binder on the outside who is one of the top available players from the Class of 2021 in Wisconsin. Oh, and Mckenna Wucherer who has been playing up with this group for years is out of the Class of 2022 and already committed to Minnesota. FC Elite out of the Appleton area will be deep and extremely talented. Cora Behnke, Linnea Willer, Brianna Geurts, and Emma Mans will be providing big swings in the front row and have picked up two attackers from WVA (which has now merged with Green Bay Power to be One Wisconsin) in Hattie Bray and Natalie Johanknect. This group finished 5th in the National Division at USAV last season. One team that will be much improved is Capital Volleyball Academy out of Madison. Payton Addink and Natalie Ring will be the go to outside hitters, with Ring playing up from the Class of 2022. Josie Halbleib is a 6’2 athletic and left handed setter who can be utilized as a setter or for her right side swing.
Iowa
The Class of 2021 in Iowa is crazy deep with solid athletes in every position. Six Pack out of Cedar Falls stands out as a major front runner with a trio of hitters in Eve Magill, Dani Johnson, and Morgan Middleton. Magill is 6’5 and already committed to Creighton with Johnson and Middleton being six foot, six rotation players as well. Jaz Yamilkoski will set for this solid crew of hitters. Six Pack played an incredibly excited match in a three set loss to FC Elite last year at USAV Nationals. CIA will have all state outside hitter in Saari Kuehl to go to this winter. CIS out of Des Moines will have libero Payton Lombardi and middle blocker Layanna Green. Iowa Rockets out of the Iowa City area always has a strong program with athletes out of Southeast Iowa with Martha Pace, Elyse Winter, and Hailey Pollock. The Iowa Regional is always jam packed with these teams competing for a Nationals berth, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they were to find their way to nationals through other qualifiers throughout the country
Nebraska
Rylee Gray of Nebraska Elite has already committed to NebraskaIn Nebraska there is never shortage of talent, but its hard not to focus on the 16s group from Nebraska Elite. The National AAU Runner-Up for 15s in 2018 will be back for more this with the likes of Rylee Gray who is committed to Nebraska as a middle blocker and setter, Allison Gray heading to Arizona State. Rylee Gray actually played against her future teammate in libero Alexis Rodriguez of Sports Performance in the national title game at AAU Nationals. Nebraska Premier has three big recruits coming out of the Class of 2021 with Phyona Schrader who actually preps at Ankeny High School out of Iowa, has committed to Notre Dame while Lindsey Krause of Skutt Catholic has committed to Nebraska and Norah Sis will be heading to Creighton. VC Nebraska will be lead by setter, Elle Glock who is heading to USC.
Prep Dig Gauntlet – 14s – 17s Open and Club – June 1 and 2