Top Midwest Athletes Finding Futures Homes In The SEC
The SEC, the football conference – not so fast. Ok, it will always be one of the strongest powers in football, but watch out for these Midwest athletes to take over and go to the next level as a volleyball conference. The Class of 2020 and 2021 has several commits who are heading Southeast who will be competing for top programs. Programs in the Southeast have been building each year with new teams coming into focus with the likes of Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri making strong NCAA Tournament runs with other programs on the rise like Georgia and Ole Miss who already have collected double-digit wins so far this season and are 3-1 and 2-1 in the conference so far. Here are a few big-time commits who are heading to the SEC.
Caitlin Crawford – Oconomowoc (WI) – Milwaukee Sting – Class of 2020
Committed to South Carolina
Crawford has been a key member of Milwaukee Sting and is the starting libero for Oconomowoc High School, the top ranked team in Wisconsin’s largest class. She’s got the skill, the high-level competition, and the ability to make the big dig in a key moment. She has been club teammates with Elise Goetzinger who is heading to Kentucky.
Amber BischelAmber Bischel – Germantown (WI) – Wisconsin Juniors – Class of 2020
Committed to Ole Miss
Bischel would be captain of the “All-Grit” team. She plays with a toughness that is hard to match. A libero for Wisconsin Juniors who are always in contention to knock off top teams and has a host of players heading D1 and D2, Bischel makes her presence known. She communicates, always interacting with her teammates, and finding ways to get a positive touch for her team.
Elise Goetzinger of @stingvb1988 has evolved so much in the past year. The @KentuckyVB recruit has a bright future! pic.twitter.com/PQK9hTFwld
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) February 17, 2019
Elise Goetzinger – Mount Horeb (WI) – Milwaukee Sting – Class of 2020 (Title Photo)
Committed to Kentucky
Watching Goetzinger run a slide is a highlight in itself. At 6’4, and extremely mobile Goetzinger is going to be scary good for Kentucky with the ability to play in the middle or on the right side. Goetzinger will have the chance to make a major impact defensively as well with her standing touch and physical play at the net to cause some problems for opposing attackers. Plus, she just has this spark about her when she takes the court.
Allie Trame – St. Thomas More (IL) – Illini Elite – Class of 2020
Committed to Alabama
Trame has been on the radar as soon as she stepped on to the club scene, making a big splash at GLPL and committed to Alabama early as one of the top middles in her class in the state of Illinois. Part of successful high school and club teams, Trames dynamic and athletic and will find a way to score points at any level.
Long rally ends with an EIX kill by Kacia Brown a @HailStateVB commit pic.twitter.com/8UjEpRLBza
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) March 24, 2019
Kacia Brown – Cedar Falls (IA) – Eastern Iowa Xtreme – Class of 2020
Committed to Mississippi State
Brown plays with a ton of fire and energy on the pin as one of the top outside hitters in the Class of 2020 in Iowa. She was on the EIX 17 Teal team who took home a national title in the USAV 17 Nation Division. This year she is currently on the Cedar Falls team who is top ranked in Iowa’s largest class and has finished as state champions and state runner up the past two seasons. Kacia’s older sister, Kaz, played an important part in the rise to success for Kentucky.
Melissa Walden – Waubonsie Valley (IL) – Sports Performance – Class of 2020
Committed to Texas A&M
Having the training from Sports Performance, teams know what they will be getting with the likes of Walden. She’s disciplined, high IQ, and is so solid technically. She can run the show with a 5-1 and receives the ball high to run the slide or push out to the pin. Extremely solid all around.
Peyton O’Brien – Libertyville (IL) – Sky High – Class of 2021
Committed to Ole Miss
O’Brien brings a physicality to the net where not only can she dish, but she can score and block as well. Chicagoland is loaded with strong setters all around and playing for a high level at Sky High has prepared her for the likes of SEC competition. She only a Junior and will continue to develop and make her presence known. Look for her to really make waves in the 2020 club season.
Erin Lamb – Stewartville (MN) – Northern Lights – Class of 2021
Committed to Kentucky
Long, athletic, and so dynamic. Lamb could have gone down the Division 1 college basketball route as well, but volleyball will be her future, and a bright one at that. Lamb was part of the 16-1 team for Northern Lights this past club season where plenty of coaches were able to see what she could do with her quickness along the net. She can score points, but can move from pin to pin so easily. She will make a great combo with Elise Goetzinger from Wisconsin wearing blue at Kentucky – the basketball school 😉
Ava Moes just putting a hurt on the ball for @LSHS_VB pic.twitter.com/6rQiRhnkt5
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) September 7, 2019
Ava Moes – Lakeville South (MN) – Northern Lights – Class of 2021
Committed to Tennessee
The Vols are building something special in Knoxville and getting an athlete the caliber of Moes was huge. Moes is one of the top overall players in Minnesota and can swing from the right side or out of the middle. Moes and Lamb teamed up together on Northern Lights 16-1 last season who also had a big commit at libero from Emma Torstenson who will be heading to Colorado.