A Few Fox Valley Favorites – New Names and Big Impact Players
Photo Cred: Appleton Post Crescent The Fox Valley, where there are no boundaries. The area surrounding Appleton and Oshkosh is booming with some of the top volleyball talent in the state. With teams continually making a trip to the state…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingPhoto Cred: Appleton Post Crescent
The Fox Valley, where there are no boundaries. The area surrounding Appleton and Oshkosh is booming with some of the top volleyball talent in the state. With teams continually making a trip to the state tournament out of the Fox Valley Association, North Eastern Conference, Trailways Conference, and more it makes for a solid core of athletes in the volleyball community. There have been the big time players of the past few seasons which include Hannah Vanden Berg from Little Chute going to Marquette where she will team up with another Fox Valley native in Hope Werch of Neenah. Werch won a state title for Neenah in 2016 with Addie Barnes and Kayla Kraus who will both be playing at Loyola-Chicago this fall. But who is the next crew of Fox Valley athletes to make the next big waves in the area?
Lauren Elliott – Kimberly – One Wisconsin – Libero (Title Picture)
Class of 2021
Elliott was primarily a setter until this past high school season where she got the ‘bro jersey and was a huge playmaker for the Papermakers returning to the state tournament. An extremely gritty athlete, who is also a standout on the softball field she will be looking to help lead Kimberly back to the Resch for the third year in a row.
Randi Welhoefer – Oshkosh West – Milwaukee Sting – Middle Blocker
Class of 2021
Welhoefer is picking up a ton of momentum playing for Milwaukee Sting 16 Black this club season. A 6’2 middle blocker that can attack off one foot will be part of a really strong incoming Junior class for West along with Morgan Yenter who has spent time on Sting 16 Gold as a setter and Natalie Johanknecht who is a middle/pin for FC Elite. With experience under their belt they should be looking to make a big push in the FVA.
Rachel Koss and Sydney Bartels – Freedom – FC Elite – Setter and Middle
Class of 2023
FC Elite 14 Navy was one of the top teams in the Badger Region and have the National Bid heading to Indy to compete at USAV Nationals in June. Koss and Bartels have already established themselves as a strong setter/middle combination and will be a solid duo to watch at their time at Freedom. This may be a program to watch for in the next couple years as they will also be returning top outside hitter in Class of 2021 prospect, Linnea Willer.
Emma Oelhafen – Xavier – FC Elite – Pin Hitter
Class of 2020
Oelhafen has done a little bit of everything in her high school and club career playing virutally every position (although I might have to check on libero). A high academic, high character individual who is a solid culture fit for any team, Oelhafen will be a big time go to player for Xavier who fell just short of defeating Little Chute in five sets in the postseason in 2018.
Grace Demetrician – Appleton North – One Wisconsin – Libero/DS
Class of 2021
Demetrician and Elliot team up in the backcourt for One Wisconsin. Demetrician communicates. She is always moving, talking, reading the game, and telling her hitters what is open and where to score points. A high motor, high intensity athlete she will be teaming up with Senior Libero/DS Megan Piton in the backcourt at North who will be looking to get back to Resch after getting knocked out by conference rival, Kimberly the past two seasons in the Sectional Final.
Rachel Russo – Lourdes Academy – One Wisconsin – Outside Hitter
Class of 2020
Russo started her high school career her Freshman and Sophomore year by consecutive state runner-up trophies at the state tournament. A six rotation outside who is just a pure gamer. She knows how to score points finding the open shot or using the block to her advantage. Russo, will be looking to lead Lourdes back to Green Bay for the state tournament after getting bounced by Howards Grove last year.
Bella Van Lannen – Appleton North – FC Elite – Pin Hitter
Class of 2022
A big club season this year has really put Van Lannen in a position to contribute her Sophomore year at Appleton North who is returning a strong nucleus of players into the 2018 season including two big time setters in Brooke Bolwerk (Minnesota State-Mankato) and Taylor Vanden Berg (Wingate University). Van Lannen is able to swing from either pin and her all around game is really picking up as well. She is part of a really strong 2021 class for the Lightning.