Class of 2023 and 2024’s With a Crazy Upside To Their Game
I miss the feel of a busy convention center where you can walk from court to court and see some of the top players in the nation all in one spot (Don’t we all). It’s been tough for everyone, no…
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Continue ReadingI miss the feel of a busy convention center where you can walk from court to court and see some of the top players in the nation all in one spot (Don’t we all). It’s been tough for everyone, no need to be redundant about that, but I’ve been in a unique situation to see players from multiple states through some of our events, video, and all the graces that technology has allowed me to see athletes who are going to be high on the radar while there are also some who have shown flashes of greatness where their development is going to be a fun process to watch evolve. Here are athletes from multiple states who we see a major upside to their game.
*I have seen these athletes play live in the past three months.
Class of 2023 pin Grace Egan 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/VBrnSGErSO
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) September 19, 2020
Grace Egan – Sterling (IL) – Fusion 17 Red (Last Known Club Team)
Class of 2023
Illinois is not having a high school season and with that the “Golden Girls” from Sterling have been playing in Prep Dig Fall Events in Appleton, Wisconsin. Yes, they have the trio of 2020 commits in Lexi Rodriguez (Nebraska), Brook Borum (Virginia), and Bree Borum (Florida Gulf Coast). Egan has to be 6’0 tall, but contacts extremely high and has such a physical style to her game. She’s strong, well rounded, athletic, and is really solid on the defensive end. She is able to score points with multiple shots at the pin, but is also a huge threat to score out of the backrow.
Class of 2024 pin out of system Ella Demetrician pic.twitter.com/DfFAC4neqL
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) September 15, 2020
Ella Demetrician – Appleton North (WI) – FC Elite
Class of 2024
For someone who is just entering her Freshman year, Demetrician has been scoring plenty of points for her “Thunder” team competing in the Prep Dig Fall League. A high contact point, plenty of strength in the front line, and the ability to power through the split. As she continues to expand her back court game and attacking she will be able to score at ease from any spot on the floor. She has the physical intangibles to a lot of things for her side of the net.
Lily Wagner Lily Wagner 5'11" | OH Germantown | 2023 State #118 Nation WI – Germantown (WI) – Milwaukee Sting
Class of 2023
The swiss army knife you need on your side. Wagner has options. She has a violent attack from the outside, is a top beach player in Wisconsin, and is so solid in every rotation. Her future could take her the beach route, the six rotation outside way, or even a libero (although I love watching her attack). She’s been a key part to leading her high school team to the top ranking in Wisconsin’s largest class. She has the “It” factor as well, she wants the ball when the moment is big.
Put her on your list…Class of 2024 setter Lilly Wagner (and these middles too) pic.twitter.com/MktDZ3Xo6t
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) August 7, 2020
Lilly Wagner – Oconomowoc (WI) – Milwaukee Sting
Class of 2024
Yes, another Lilly Wagner, with a double “L” in the middle and is one of the top setters in the Class of 2024. Wagner really stood out at the Prep Dig Summer Showcase in August where she can set all the tempos, commands the court with positive body language, and is a force at the net offensively and defensively. She’s long, athletic, and nearly touching ten feet as a setter. Her potential is sky high and will be fun to see her development as she continues to train.
Class of 2023 pin Kennedy Martin with the backrow attack. 6’5 and touched 10’6 at our Prep Dig Summer Showcase pic.twitter.com/lwmVqZIvYT
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) September 15, 2020
Kennedy Martin – De Pere (WI) – Carolina Union/FC Elite
Class of 2023
At 6’5, Martin definitely has a physical presence on the court. She also has an upside that and athleticism where she touches 10”6 on her approach. A sophomore at De Pere High School just outside of Green Bay the only high school volleyball she has played so far is in the Prep Dig Fall League with her school opting for the alternative fall season which will take place this spring. She has a solid skill set for a foundation, but as she continues to train and develop as a six rotation outside, she is going to be tough to stop no matter where she is on the court.
Payton Petersen and Jadyn Petersen – Dike-New Hartford (IA) – Six Pack
Class of 2024
Yes, ANOTHER set of Petersen twins. These two most likely had some serious games of pepper and whatever other volleyball mini game over quarantine with their older twin sisters Baylee Petersen (Northern Iowa) and Sydney Petersen (Texas). Their mother, Bobbi Petersen, is the head volleyball coach at Northern Iowa. Seeing Payton and Jadyn play at the Mount Vernon tournament in September, you could see the confidence and command they have on the court. Rock solid ball control and high IQ shots (along with power) showed their overall versatility. Great athletes to watch!
@kyladunaway running a slide…money. Just like a layup. pic.twitter.com/0Qc5iVMNzR
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) August 7, 2020
Kyla Dunaway Kyla Dunaway 6'4" | RS Kimberly | 2023 State WI – Kimberly (WI) – FC Elite
Class of 2023
Dunaway already has offers to Green Bay and North Dakota…for basketball. This past summer heading into this fall, Dunaway has shown her mobility moving from pin to pin as a middle, but can also be used as a major lockdown blocker on the right side. Big hands, high touch, and the ability to attack off one foot makes her so lethal offensively and defensively. She can be intimidating at the net and has the ability to cause fits for the other side.
Andi Spies – Fort Atkinson (WI) – Capital Volleyball Academy
Class of 2024
Spies has always played up for Capital and when seeing her play in a Prep Dig tournament, I thought for sure she was a Junior. She’s been playing in Saturday tournaments with athletes who play for Capital and Sting and do not have a high school season this fall. She can set, swing, defend, she can really do it all. Her skill set is beyond her years and is just a solid all around player. She is another swiss army knife you definitely want on your side of the net.
2023 setter and pin Sophia Schneider Sophia Schneider 5'10" | S Waterloo | 2023 State WI showing she can do it all for Waterloo. Championship vs Lux-Casco pic.twitter.com/k0KqLXM7Sk
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) August 27, 2020
Sophia Schneider Sophia Schneider 5'10" | S Waterloo | 2023 State WI – Waterloo (WI) – FC Elite
Class of 2023
Schneider plays with one of the top setters in the Midwest in Brooke Mosher Brooke Mosher 5'11" | S Waterloo | 2021 State WI of Waterloo who is committed to Illinois. Over the summer, Schneider has continued to improve with each touch, she remains neutral where she can take the ball anywhere with whatever tempo is available. She’s dynamic, she can defend and even swing. Last year she played up on the FC Elite 16 Navy squad where she was able to attack and set. With her skill set, it would be fun to see her run a full 5-1 where she can attack in the front line and put pressure on the other side of the net.