Programs With Deep Talent
In Major League Baseball they talk about their “farm systems” that feed their big league teams. The Brewers, for example, have minor league affiliates like the San Antonio Missions, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, and the Biloxi Shuckers. Like major league teams, some Varsity…
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Continue ReadingIn Major League Baseball they talk about their “farm systems” that feed their big league teams. The Brewers, for example, have minor league affiliates like the San Antonio Missions, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, and the Biloxi Shuckers. Like major league teams, some Varsity programs haven’t made deep postseason runs … yet, but because of a well-developed youth program or club connection, they’ve been developing players that will make a huge difference in the future.
The Prep Dig JV Sizzle provided us reason for optimism for several programs. This got me thinking about how much we have to look forward to in the future! Below are 7 high school programs that will certainly benefit from youth programs and active club connections.
Cedar Grove-Belgium
This JV group at the Sizzle has so much great energy! If you weren’t sure about getting back in the gym, you only had to watch them for a minute to see pure joy to be playing the sport again! I absolutely love seeing how positive and encouraging they are with one another. They also pull from clubs like South Shore Slam where 2022s Kaylee Cherney (2022 – 5’6 – Defensive Specialist) and Allie Wolff (2022 – 5’8 – Pin Hitter) play.
Chippewa Falls
Chippewa Falls will be bringing in a strong group of freshmen this year after their 2024 players took the Wisconsin Independent League 7th Grade Championship Tournament in 2019. They have players who train with clubs like Eau Claire Air, such as Isabelle Eslinger (2022 – Defensive Specialist), but they compete for the volleyball talent pool in Chippewa Falls with small school powerhouse, McDonell Central.
Freedom
Freedom has young Kids in their program playing for clubs like FC Elite and Impact. One player on the JV team that stood out to me was their smiley and scrappy libero. Impact has contributed to the young talent in Freedom with players like
Elayna Christensen
Elayna
Christensen
5'10" | DS/L
Freedom | 2023
State
WI
(2023 – Libero) and Anna Nason (2022 – 5’5 – Libero), while FC Elite has been training
Sydney Bartels
Sydney
Bartels
5'11" | OH
Freedom | 2023
State
WI
(2023 – 5’9 – Middle Blocker) and
Rachel Koss
Rachel
Koss
5'11" | S
Freedom | 2023
State
WI
(2023 – 5’10 – Setter/Right Side Hitter). This program has a bright future with these types of players.
Kewaskum
The Indians have varsity players from clubs like I AM Volleyball. Some of their young I AM Volleyball talent includes Mikaela Marquardt (2023 – 5’3 – Libero), Kennedy Koenig (2022 – 5’8 – Pin Hitter), and Jenna Butschlick (2022 – Middle Blocker/Right Side Hitter). One thing I enjoyed about watching their JV team on Wednesday was that you could tell they are so excited to be playing! This is a solid JV group with some real potential.
Riverdale
The Chieftans went 15-15 in 2019 but will only graduate 3, while returning all of their statistical leaders. I was impressed with the energy the Riverdale JV group brought to the Sizzle. It is clear they will have some exciting young players around which to build a program.
Sparta
Kelsey Baker (2021 – 6’0 – Setter/Right Side Hitter) does her training with V-hawk Xtreme while Annie Yahnke (2021 – Defensive Specialist), Caroline Olson (2021 – 5’11 – Middle Blocker) and McKayla Simao (2021 – Defensive Specialist) train with Elevate and give Sparta one of the best power/speed trio in the area. What really makes this program exciting is its 2023 class after winning the Wisconsin Independent League 8th Grade Tournament Championship in 2019. This group should be moving up as sophomores, and their success will show in the next couple years.
Wisconsin Lutheran
The Vikings have three big attackers returning in
Natalie Tesch
Natalie
Tesch
5'10" | S
Wisconsin Lutheran | 2021
State
WI
(2021 – 5’10 – Setter/Right Side Hitter),
Grace Schneider
Grace
Schneider
5'11" | OH
Wisconsin Lutheran | 2022
State
WI
(2022 – 5’10 – Outside Hitter), and Grace Frey (2021 – 5’8 – Middle Blocker). All three have a chance to make waves this fall with Schneider showcasing the phenomenal power capability, Tesch posing the best ability to score in any situation, and Frey holding the ability to take care of the net. The Wisco JV group shows that this program has a lot of depth and is one to watch out for in the foreseeable future.