AAU Championships 16 Preview
The 16s division is the last to go down in Orlando and it should be a great tournament. There are some teams missing and even some surprises from the Badger Region so let’s jump right in and break down the…
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Continue ReadingThe 16s division is the last to go down in Orlando and it should be a great tournament. There are some teams missing and even some surprises from the Badger Region so let’s jump right in and break down the teams who will be attending!
16 Open
FC Elite 16 Navy
FC Elite does not usually send teams to AAU nationals, however, this incredibly talented team will be competing in the open division of AAU nationals and the National division of USAV nationals. If there is a team to play double duty with national tournaments, this is it.
Every athlete on this team is talented and they have a lot of chemistry. Setters Kiersten Kraus (Prep Dig Rank #27) and Brooke Bolwerk (Prep Dig Rank #15) are each great leaders on the court and provide a huge amount of consistency for this team. Brooke is fast and has the power to set pin to pin from anywhere on the court while Kiersten is an all-around athlete who is a great setter but also a talented pin hitter and blocker.
Cora Behnke (Prep Dig Rank #5) is one of the top outside hitters in the state. She has a huge vertical and a good balance of power and control. Jaclyn Wise (Prep Dig Rank #59) is a very effective pin hitter who can pound a ball down the line with no second thoughts. Linnea Willer (Prep Dig Rank #21) is great on both pins and dangerous no matter where she is playing.
Brianna Guerts (Prep Dig Rank #39) and Natalie Johanknecht (Prep Dig Rank #22) are talented hitters across the net and can fill any role that is needed. Hattie Bray (Prep Dig Rank #13) and Emma Mans (Prep Dig Rank #20) are both dynamic middles who put up a massive block and are extremely efficient on offense.
Both defensive players on this team are younger. Libero Saige Damrow is in the class of 2023, though her skill and maturity on the court are years beyond that. Defensive specialist Madison Miller is very controlled and in the class of 2022.
This team will play some great volleyball over the next few weeks!
Notably missing from this open division is Sting 16 Gold who earned a bid to the open division of USAV nationals.
16 Premier
1W 16-1
This is a great team. Many of their athletes are dynamic and can play multiple positions. Eva Beeth (Prep Dig Rank #52) is a dynamic pin hitter for this 1W team. She plays confidently on either pin and has great shots from any angle.
Hailey Meyer also is strong on both pins. Avery Torrey (Prep Dig Rank #58) is a tall setter who is also great in the front row. She has nice hands and makes good decisions on the court. Nicole Norton is an energizer on the court and is a great leader as well as a good setter. Libero and defensive specialist Grace Demetrician (Prep Dig Rank #32)is fast and reads the opposing side well.
Capital 16 Adidas
This Captial team is a very balanced team with great players spread out across every position. Payton Addink (Prep Dig Rank #10) has been a huge asset to this capital team. She is a nearly unstoppable outside hitter. Josie Halbieb (Prep Dig Rank #11) can fill multiple roles as both a setter and right side hitter. She has great hands and is very fast.
Maggie Allaman (Prep Dig Rank #49) and Maia Johnson (Prep Dig Rank #61) are both great middles who consistently put up a good block. They are smart players with a lot of power.
Midwest Penguins 16 Black
This is the only Penguins team that will be playing at AAU Nationals. This is a strong Penguins team with a lot of offensive power. Outside hitters Jordan Berglin (Prep Dig Rank #29) and Abby Fregien (Prep Dig Rank #44) each have different styles, both of which are effective. Jordan has power while Abby is more controlled and very talented on defense as well.
Rylie Gregg (Prep Dig Rank #68) is a lefty right side who is a very intuitive player, reading the block well and executing powerful swings accordingly. Setter Hailey Boelter-Eberhardt (Prep Dig Rank #67) has fast hands and makes even faster decisions on the court. Libero Abby Gardner (Prep Dig Rank #28) has really come into her role as libero on this team and has an incredible amount of speed to get touches on nearly every ball.
Milwaukee Sting 16 Black
Power is the name of the game with this team. Their pin hitters are very talented across the board and include Bella Bratzke (Prep Dig Rank #34), Kaitlyn Bingham (Prep Dig Rank #55), Kayla Lewinski (Prep Dig Rank #24), and Tatum Catalano (Prep Dig Rank #14). Back row players Isabella Halcomb (Prep Dig Rank #31)and Amanda Viel (Prep Dig Rank #53) are fierce defenders and set this team up for success.
Motion Volleyball 16 Blue
This Motion team plays with a lot of speed and chemistry. Setters Katelyn Lefler (Prep Dig Rank #41) and Chloee Epker (Prep Dig Rank #57) move the ball fast and make smart, quick decisions. Ava Van Der Ploeg and Kallissa Jaeger (Prep Dig Rank #131) protect the backcourt and are both very consistent on serve receive. Lauren Sitter (Prep Dig Rank #72), Abigail Serdynski (Prep Dig Rank #50), and Sophia Brown (Prep Dig Rank #60) provide consistency in blocking and hitting for this team out of the middle.
Each athlete on this team knows their role and fills it very well. They work hard for every point and have had a lot of success throughout the season.
16 Club
1W 16 Nationals
Capital 16 Navy
Milwaukee Sting 16 White
Royal 16
Wildcat Juniors 16-1’s
Classic
Adversity WI 16-1
Eclipse 16 Solar
Motion 16 Green
WI Juniors 16 Elite
Aspire
414 Milwaukee 16 Elite
RVA G16 Navy