Update and Articles On Prep Dig Wisconsin Rankings
With volleyball on pause for a bit, this has given us at Prep Dig a chance to update player rankings. With any rankings update, there are always plenty of questions as well as a chance to highlight players we’ve been seeing along the high school and club circuits. This most recent update we released an updated Class of 2021 and 2022 list with a Class of 2023 list coming out later this week.
What Events Have Prep Dig Writers Been Too?
We get out to as many events as possible throughout the Midwest. I have the chance to talk with club, high school, and college coaches as well as all of our writers to compare notes to see what we’re seeing. I also oversee rankings for other states which is always interesting to see where players stack up against others in different states. Here are some events that our Prep Dig Scouts have attended:
Prep Dig Resolution
Badger Region Power League
Wisconsin Juniors Winter Classic
Chicago 18s Qualifier
Northern Lights 17/18s Qualifier
Milwaukee MKE Jam
Triple Crown Invite – Kansas City
Presidents Day St. Louis
Presidents Day Wisconsin Dells
VC United Showcase
JVA Showcase – Wisconsin Dells
What Do We Base Our Rankings On?
There are multiple factors that we have when we consider a ranking. Are our rankings the be all, end all to everything when it comes to volleyball recruiting? No. Our rankings are a resource where coaches get a chance to see a list of players.
Here is what we do value:
The level of competition at which the athlete contributes:
Athletes playing at a high level in regards to national tournaments at an open level or an age group up, tend to rise in the rankings with how they are able to contribute at a high level. We do watch athletes of all levels across plenty of courts and divisions, but a common factor not only in volleyball, but really all club sports is what is the highest level the athlete is currently contributing.
We take the athlete at their current level, not on what they will be:
What the biggest difference is between what we look at compared to what a college program would look at is we evaluate the athlete with where they are currently at, where a college program does that, but also what they would look like in their program two or three years down the road. Also, we see what they do on the court at that moment. We don’t know if they are done growing, have a few inches left, or what kind of work ethic they have. However, you can tell on the court if they are a good teammate, which ultimately affects their performance on how they are able to make others around them better.
When do we see the biggest change in rankings?
The 15s level is by far the toughest to rank. We are double-checking what positions (which we are MAJORLY updating), clubs, and high schools athletes all play for. At the 15s level, athletes are still solidifying what their position is going to be and those transitions are tough where an outside might be going to libero or a middle heading to the right side. With my experience seeing Nebraska clubs, plenty of those athletes train for all positions, same with clubs who train with more of an international style where everyone serve receives and practices defending every rotation. 15s to 16s is where we are adding more and more players because we just see more volleyball and athletes are really finding their groove for who they are as a volleyball player.
What Content Comes With a Rankings Update?
With every rankings update we always cater articles to athletes in that particular class. We recently did an NFL style draft with the Class of 2021 and for the Class of 2022, a feature on new players or athletes who have been on the rise. We will continue featuring these athletes throughout and are always on alert of athletes we may have missed since our last update.
What Class of 2022 Athletes Are On The Rise?
It’s DRAFT WEEK: Follow These Rules, Here Are My Draft Picks For the Wisconsin Class of 2021
The basketball version of Prep Dig is Prep Hoops. One of the founders of Prep Hoops, Nick Carroll, talks more about player rankings in regards to athletes being ranked and what college coaches are looking for. A great listen for any sport. Click here to listen on your preferred platform