Notable Performances From Sunday’s Medford Storm 17’s Tournament

The 2019 club season is well underway, and there were plenty of tournaments held around the state. This past weekend Medford Storm held their 17's tournament. Prep Dig has been working our way around the state to cover as many teams as possible. We see hundreds of players at all levels play live. Here are some of the top performers from the Medford Storm 17's Tournament on Sunday. * If you are new to Prep Dig, we cover prep volleyball year round with high school and club on a state by state basis with writers in gyms across our five states: Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Bailey Jacque – 2021 – 5'9 – Outside Hitter – Thorp – Medford Storm 16s Jacque is a Thorp prep from the Class of 2021. She brings an athletic style of play to the court. Jacque has a high contact point and a fast, hard swing through the block. She is a threat and has the potential to be so tough to defend with a swing that she can put the ball right in the deep cross corner of the court. Emma Jaje – 2020 - Libero – Antigo – One Wisconsin Antigo 17-1 Jaje is extremely solid as a libero for 1W Antigo. She holds a solid platform with the ability to adjust quickly and passes nails on serve-receive. Jaje will be one to keep any eye on this club season, as well in her senior season at Antigo. She will progress through the ranks of club if her club team can get into some bigger tournaments. Eve Akey – 2020 – Outside Hitter – Merrill - Medford Storm 17s Akey was a major point scorer for Storm, who made a solid outing and getting into the Gold Bracket. She has some major hops and sees the block extremely well in hitting around the block and finding the open spot. Akey plays her high school ball for Merrill and provides not only smart swings but solid serve-receive and scrappy defense. Faith Kitowski – 2020 – 5'8 – Outside Hitter/Middle Blocker – SPASH – Wisconsin Ice 17 Black Kitowski was solid for 17 Black. She has a high contact point and really solid movement as a force offensively. Kitowski has all the tools to be a solid player for 17 Black throughout the season. She will be building momentum into her Senior year at SPASH while they will be graduating a big 2019 class. [caption id="attachment_35400" align="alignright" width="200"] Harleigh Eagan[/caption] Harleigh Eagan – 2021 – 5'8 – Setter/Right Side – Wautoma – Wisconsin Ice 16 Purple Eagan has made huge gains during the first month of the club season. She has become more of an offensive threat whether she is in the front or the back row. Expect to see Eagan continuing to grow in her all-around game. Hilirie McLaughlin – 2021 – 5'11 – Middle Blocker – SPASH – Wisconsin Ice 16 Purple McLaughlin puts up a nice block and runs smart routes. She is an efficient hitter with a nice mix of shots. McLaughlin makes an impact both offensively and defensively. Jazmine Johnson – 2021 - Right Side Hitter – Eau Claire Slam 17-1 Johnson brings a very physical attacking style to the net and puts up a big block as well to give opposing outside hitters trouble. She provides a threat by both scoring points with her swing or block, and she was able to establish her presence for Slam who will be competing again at the NCR Presidents' Day Smack Fest Weekend 2 Silver. [caption id="attachment_35401" align="alignleft" width="300"] Kelly Page[/caption] Kelly Page – 2021 – 5'4 – Setter/Defensive Specialist – Merrill – Wisconsin Ice 16 Purple Page is so frustrating for opponents with her scrappy defense and strong serving. She also runs a well-balanced offense. Page has a knack for the game, smart anticipation, and she is dangerous in system. Rachel Travis – 2021 – 5'3 – Libero – Merrill – Wisconsin Ice 16 Purple Travis has been catching eyes lately with her solid serve-receive and tough defense. When this kid is on, she is seriously on. Travis was so steady in serve-receive on Sunday, she provided plenty of frustration for the opposing squads. Sheridan Swiderski – 2021 – 5'10 – Right Side Hitter – Mosinee – Wisconsin Ice 16 Purple Swiderski sets a huge block and has solid natural instincts on the court. When Ice is in system, they are incredibly dangerous along all zones of the net. Swiderski has a strong swing and a high reach from any zone on the net. Stevie Samuels – 2021 – 5'4 – Setter/Defensive Specialist – Newman – Wisconsin Ice 16 Samuels has embraced a couple roles this club season as both a setter and a defensive specialist. Her ball control is really solid. Samuels saved multiple points with smart anticipation and controlled digs. She is a scrappy physical player who can always be depended on to keep the ball in play.