Fitz’s Midseason Prep Dig TEAM Awards
My ultimate dream would be to have all the club volleyball world in the Midwest gather and we can have an informal gathering and have an awards ceremony much like the “Dundies” from “The Office”. A little awkward, a little…
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Continue ReadingMy ultimate dream would be to have all the club volleyball world in the Midwest gather and we can have an informal gathering and have an awards ceremony much like the “Dundies” from “The Office”. A little awkward, a little funny, but at the end of the day volleyball is all one big family (dysfunctional at times), but we still enjoy what we do and others we get to work with. These unofficial midseason awards are for teams I’ve seen play live. I do my best to get out to as many events as I can, take notes, and really promote the positive things these teams are doing. Here is what I’ve seen so far the first half of the club season as we head into some major events for March and April.
The Gold Star
Club Ignit 16 Blue (IA)
Definitely gold star worthy when you win Triple Crown, the top tournament in the country which Club Ignit 16 Blue out of the West Des Moines area defeated Arizona Storm to take the title. Denver commit, Lauren Carter Lauren Carter 5'11" | S Winterset | 2022 State #43 Nation IA quarterbacks the offense and Hayden Kubik Hayden Kubik 6'1" | OH West Des Moines Valley | 2022 State #11 Nation IA , the top Class of 2022 player in Iowa definitely lead the way, but other athletes such as libero Alayna Finucan Alayna Finucan 5'5" | DS/L Webster City | 2022 State IA and outside Ava Reynolds Ava Reynolds 5'11" | OH Ankeny | 2022 State #155 Nation IA have really come on strong and have made a name for themselves so far this season.
Carter and Kubik 2020 – like the sound of that (and until 2022) @clubignitselect up early in their crossover pic.twitter.com/17u8G8AyCl
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) February 16, 2020
Milwaukee Sting 17 Gold
There were a few question marks heading into the season with Sting 17 Gold, but those have been addressed and one of the answers is an early bid to the USAV 17 Open Nationals. Jordan Berglin Jordan Berglin 5'9" | OH Pewaukee | 2021 State WI , a Flagler (FL) commit, the high flying outside has been dynamite with her ability to terminate along with a healthy Mariah Grunze Mariah Grunze 6'0" | OH Waterford | 2021 State WI . Stay tuned for more from this team as they will get back a powerful attacker, Alexis Boling Alexis Boling 6'0" | OH Waukesha West | 2021 State WI , an NDSU commit who is coming off a knee injury and should be good to go for Qualifiers in Indy and Chicago.
Bullis to Berglin connection is 🔥 🔥🔥 for @stingvb1988 17 Gold pic.twitter.com/rTjMndkOwp
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) January 31, 2020
Need To See Again:
Iowa Select 17 Mizuno
I know this team has a lot left in the tank and when I saw them they were down one of their top outsides in 2021 prospect Emma Schubert Emma Schubert OH Assumption | 2021 State IA . They will be heading into Iowa Regionals next weekend at full strength (that I know of) where Schubert is back and the Barickman twins in Abbi and Maddi, the setter/outside combo who are going to be ones to watch in the Class of 2021.
Illini Elite 17 Cardinal
I saw this team in pool play at the JVA Showcase and I saw the potential in their lineup. They are dangerous with multiple weapons. I think they have a real chance to play crucial matches come the finals days of AAU Nationals. With the likes of Michigan commit, Mira Chopra Mira Chopra 6'3" | MB Champaign Central | 2021 State IL and plenty of power on the pins, this will be a fun team to watch progress the second half of the season.
The Dangerous Underdog:
FC Elite 18 Elite (WI)
[player_tooltip player_id="21869" first="Brooke" last="Mosher"]8 of the 10 athletes on this team are underclassmen playing up on the 18s including 2023 Wisconsin commit, Saige Damrow Saige Damrow 5'8" | DS/L Howards Grove | 2023 State #17 Nation WI and 2022 outside hitter Brianna Cantrell Brianna Cantrell OH Appleton North | 2022 State #104 Nation WI . I think the “Underdog” label can be removed after winning the 18s Showcase in the Dells defeating the likes of MN Select, Kokoro, VC United, and Fusion twice. Brooke Mosher Brooke Mosher 5'11" | S Waterloo | 2021 State WI , an Illinois commit does it all from hitting on the pin as well as setting and Lizzie Binder Lizzie Binder 6'2" | OH Sheboygan North | 2021 State WI has been a solid six rotation pin who can contribute in multiple ways.
Second Half Threat:
Six Pack 17U (IA)
Was able to see this group in the Dells this past weekend and have seen plenty of their athletes play throughout the high school and club seasons in the past. The more they play, the better they are getting. They will welcome the addition of Dani Johnon, a six rotation outside who has been busy advancing to the state title game for Class 2A at the Iowa Girls State Basketball Tournament. That is that team in general where they have plenty of athletes in various sports and when it all gets put together they are dangerous. They built some great momentum in the Dells finishing in the top ten of the 18s Division and will be heading into Iowa Regionals with plenty of confidence.
Adversity 18 Adidas
This team is scary good, I love watching the athletes on this team come together, but they are still putting all the pieces together. With the likes of Rachel Muisenga Rachel Muisenga 6'1" | S Benet Academy | 2021 State IL (Penn State), Camryn Hannah Camryn Hannah 6'0" | RS Marist | 2020 State IL (Clemson), and Hattie Monson Hattie Monson 5'4" | DS/L Benet Academy | 2020 State IL (Notre Dame), Leilani Dodson Leilani Dodson 6'1" | MB Nazareth Academy | 2020 State IL (BYU), the list goes on. They are well trained, disciplined, and will be so dangerous come March and April where they will really be at their best when it counts.
[player_tooltip player_id="31583" first="Sienna" last="Ifill"] with the block for NL 16-1Northern Lights 16-1
I still really believe in this team and the pieces they have together. With strong coaching and a program that knows how to win, these athletes will be a tough out come qualifier time, starting with Colorado Crossroads next weekend. Minnesota commit Julia Hanson Julia Hanson 6'0" | OH Prior Lake | 2022 State #57 Nation MN is always an option on the outside, but the length when it comes to blocking with right side Sienne Ifill and Kendal Kemp Kendal Kemp 6'6" | MB Eagan | 2022 State #84 Nation MN is going to be tough to stop.
Sting 17 Black and Sting 17 White
These teams are right there with each other after Black defeated White in the Badger Region Qualfier in the semifinals and got the American bid. Sting Black has a physical lineup with Monica LaFleur and Lakyn Graves Lakyn Graves 6'1" | MB Sussex Hamilton | 2021 State WI in the middle along with Natalie Tesch Natalie Tesch 5'10" | S Wisconsin Lutheran | 2021 State WI who is such a dynamic right side/setter. Sting 17 White has Elle Truckenbrod Elle Truckenbrod 5'9" | OH Kettle Moraine Lutheran | 2021 State WI and Martina McGrath Martina McGrath 6'2" | MB Hartford | 2021 State WI who are powerful swings are able to change the game. For Sting 17 Black, watch out for the emergence of Payton Kuepers Payton Kuepers 6'1" | OH Lakeside Lutheran | 2021 State WI who can play on the left or right side and does a lot of positive things for her team.
Top Tempo Threat:
@IowaRockets 16R take set one over @FCEliteVB 16 Navy. Lot of talent on this court. Kora Ruff Kora Ruff 5'9" | S Pleasant Valley | 2022 State #86 Nation IA a top 2022 setter for Rockets out of Iowa with the assist. pic.twitter.com/4DjqssOp2O
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) February 8, 2020
Iowa Rockets 16R
I’ve seen this team play since the start of their 15s year and they continue to improve as individuals and as a team which is much credit to the type of individuals they are. However, when it comes to their offense Kora Ruff Kora Ruff 5'9" | S Pleasant Valley | 2022 State #86 Nation IA is the conductor. This is always like a well synchronized dance routine where their athletes are in system, and Ruff just perfectly places it for them to terminate. There is a chance Rockets could meet Club Ignit 16 Blue at Iowa Regionals and if Rockets can force free balls, they are tough to stop with their fast-tempo offense.
Mizuno M1 18-1
Sarah Luong Sarah Luong 5'10" | MB Benilde-St. Margaret | 2020 State MN is a student of the game which adds to her already high academic background heading to a top STEM school in the country in Emory in Atlanta along with Christine Jurgens Christine Jurgens 5'11" | MB Eagan | 2020 State MN heading to University of Chicago and Kathleen Bishop Kathleen Bishop 6'3" | MB St. Paul Academy | 2020 State MN going to Princeton. Luong is the maestro with how she can remain neutral and create a variety of speeds for her offense. They’ve been going three sets the whole season and all is takes is a few breakthrough points for them to find themselves playing for a bid come day three of a qualifier.
Solid connection this season will be Kathleen Bishop Kathleen Bishop 6'3" | MB St. Paul Academy | 2020 State MN (@PrincetonVolley) and Sarah Luong Sarah Luong 5'10" | MB Benilde-St. Margaret | 2020 State MN (@EmoryVolleyball) – yea their combine ACT score is probably around 60. @Minnesota1VB pic.twitter.com/FwSoVVkr9Z
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) January 18, 2020
New, Up and Coming:
Impact 15 National
This team started the year strong at the Prep Dig Resolution Tournament taking their age group and has continued to improve from there. They have a lot of solid defenders led by Myakel Kapelko and solid point scorers with one being Kaitlin Schulz Kaitlin Schulz 6'0" | OH Kimberly | 2023 State WI out of Kimberly High School. Impact has had a strong year all around with their club going the national team route for their 15s, 16s, and 18s in the Appleton area.
Sting 16 Madison United
The best team you haven’t seen. These athletes out of the Madison area play fast, are extremely dynamic and are beating top teams in the Badger Region. Aida Shadewald on the pin is a Class of 2022 prospect on the rise along with their middle Mckenzie Gruner who can jump out of the gym. They also have one of the top freshmen in Wisconsin in Jordan Lascala out of Middleton.
Olivia Teske of @Minnesota1VB can flat out 🦅🦅🦅 (that means fly) pic.twitter.com/wzlbZjzGxm
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) February 28, 2020
Mizuno M1 161
This team continues to improve and has a great combination of skill and overall athleticism. Braiziah Dixon Braiziah Dixon 6'0" | MB Woodbury | 2022 State MN uber-athletic out of the middle and will be one to keep tabs on with her dynamic ability and on the outside is Olivia Teske who is really coming on strong on the pin being able to put a ball away and score a ton of point in a variety of ways.
The Strong and Consistent
It’s going to be this kind of match between @stingvb1988 15 Gold and 15 Black to win the @BadgerRegionVB title pic.twitter.com/m8EzboIwkk
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) March 1, 2020
Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold
I just don’t see a lot of weakness in this team. They have the balance, the defense, the setter, the variety in attackers. There’s a new superstart to this team each time I watch them. There greatest strength is there really isn’t a glaring weakness….and we’re talking about a 15s team. Impressive.
FC Elite 17 Navy
This team has great chemistry with athletes who have been playing with each other for years. Kiersten Kraus Kiersten Kraus 5'10" | S Neenah | 2021 State WI (Kent State) and Brooke Bolwerk Brooke Bolwerk 5'6" | S Appleton North | 2021 State WI (Minnesota State-Mankato) run the show as setters and there aren’t a lot of chinks in the armor. Class of 2022 libero, Madisen Miller Madisen Miller 5'8" | DS/L Appleton North | 2022 State WI is so tough in the backrow which sparks plenty of offensive options.
1st Alliance 16 Silver
1st Alliance teams are always going to be strong and consistent, but I like this 16s team behind the overall play of Katie Hurta Katie Hurta 6'0" | S Nazareth | 2022 State #14 Nation IL . Hurta is a setter/outside hitter already committed to Indiana and continues to find ways to help her team in a positive way.
The Gritty:
Sky High 18 Adidas
This was one of the first teams I saw play this year at the Chicago Qualifier. They earned an 18 Open bid in that tournament with just a really gritty performance and a huge win over Milwaukee Sting 18 Gold. Taylor Jakubowski Taylor Jakubowski 5'7" | S Huntley | 2020 State IL a Seton Hall commit just keeps the fire rolling as a setter who can do it all. They have an ability win make a point last a little bit longer where it can end in their favor.
Make the middle pause a bit and get a one on one with the outside. @wispremiervball tied at 13 w @FCEliteVB in set two pic.twitter.com/opWUB44Nu6
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) March 1, 2020
Wisconsin Premier 16 Teal
I was really impressed by this team at the Badger Region Qualifier. They have great Defense, a solid offensive system run by Elise Gillen, and multiple attackers who can score points. Like Sky High, they find a way to outlast their opponents. They recently earned a bid to nationals this past weekend finishing second in at BRQ.
Adversity 17 AdidasAdversity 17 Adidas
Seeing this team come alive in the second set at Triple Crown against Northern Lights was something special. The confidence just kept building, the belief was there and before you know it, they beat one of the top teams in the country. I love the dynamic of this team with how they are able to just grind away an opponent with relentless effort.
Qualifier Outlook For Open Bids In March and April:
18s Nationals Outlook for Open Bids
Sting 18 Gold – I just think they will find a way, this team is so talented and has beaten some of the top
Adversity 18 Adidas – They’ll find a way
MN Select 18-1 – They are right there. A breakthrough in a three set match is all they need to put themselves in contention on Day 3.
Six Pack 18U – Jury is still out here. There have been times where they look unstoppable, other times where they look easily defeated, but the talent is definitely in place.
Not Ruling Out…
FC Elite 18 Elite – Why not? The type of confidence they are playing with is dangerous, however waiting until MEQ to secure a bid is so tough.
Mizuno M1 18-1 – Same as FC Elite. M1 has beaten FC Elite three times and they have taken many of the top teams to three sets, but thats a lot of pressure to try to qualify Open in Indy.
*Remember they do take at-large bids after qualifiers are complete.