Live Eye: New Illinois 16s To Know From NLQ
This club season, I have really tried to take the microscope to Illinois volleyball. I started with the 2024s and now trying to see as many 2023’s as possible. I was able to cover the NLQ 16s and will be…
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Continue ReadingThis club season, I have really tried to take the microscope to Illinois volleyball. I started with the 2024s and now trying to see as many 2023’s as possible. I was able to cover the NLQ 16s and will be attending events in the future with the Prep Dig Gauntlet, VC United Showcase on June 6, and the JVA World Challenge in Louisville. Plenty of season left for these athletes to continue making an impact for their club squads.
More standouts in 16 Open with the second group of matches
Ava Sarafa –
Delanie Grevengoed – @MichioVba
Olivia Klapp – @MichioVba
Ava Harrington- @HoustonSkyline @PrepDigTXHarrington in the video pic.twitter.com/FehNvJkgXA
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) May 14, 2021
Delanie Grevengoed – Michio 16 National
Michio is always a team to respect in the Open Division and Grevengoed is a definite go to player for this squad. Long, athletic, and a physicality at the net that really gives the opposing side problems. She can pass to attack and is fast to the ball with a solid, high contact point. She makes a presence on the court not only with her ability, but with how she interacts with her teammates as well.
Lauren Wallace – Michio 16 National
Wallace is another pin for Michio where she is a high flyer on the outside. Her aggressive approach and explosive leap is one to watch where she can sky and see the court. She can be used on either pin and as her backcourt game continues to develop she could be a six rotation point scorer.
Catherine Burke – Adversity G 16 Adidas Black
Burke plays out of the middle and has an aggressive chip on her shoulder when she plays. She has a high motor and no fear when it comes to attacking. A laterally quick athlete, she’s the fast twitch type of middle who has a fast arm and is able to get up fast as well as transition to attack to be available to hit. So fun to watch middles work hard every time the ball comes on their side.
Laine Violante – Adversity G 16 Adidas Black
Violante runs the show from the backrow. The Adversity libero is able to control the tempo with the first touch whether it may be from serve receive or taking pace off a hard swing. She moves and anticipates well around the backrow and knows when to pick up the tips and anticipate well in the scramble situations.
Tess Hayes and Milica Tomic Milica Tomic 5'8" | S Lake Central | 2024 State IL – 1st Alliance 16 Black
This setter combo for 1st Alliance was solid all weekend where they can both set the tempo to the middle, defend their position, and are both sparks when they are coming in and out for each other. Tomic is from the Class of 2024 and will be one to watch playing up an age group where she has great footwork which leads to a smooth release. She definitely has the physical tools to play all the way around and will be fun to watch come up through the ranks.
Katie Debs – 1st Alliance 16 Black
Debs is an athlete that college coaches can’t sleep on. At 6’3 and moves extremely well, Debs can run the quick tempo and hit it square. Her best volleyball is ahead of her and the way she can navigate the middle with closing the block and transitioning to score really puts her high on the list of sneaky good 2023’s to keep tabs on heading into the June evaluation period.
Hallie Neill – Sky High 16 Red
Neill knows how to run the show. She is engaged with all of her teammates as a setter and knows what matchups to exploit on the other side. Sky High 16 Red had a big weekend finishing in a tie for third. This is a well balanced squad and with a setter like Neill making sure she can keep the offense balanced was incredibly key for Sky High .
Jessica Parker Jessica Parker S St. Charles North | 2023 State IL – Fusion 16 Red
Fusion has plenty of powerful attackers that includes Grace Egan Grace Egan 6'1" | OH Sterling | 2023 State #41 Nation IL who scores from everywhere, but Jessica Parker Jessica Parker S St. Charles North | 2023 State IL is another athlete who can do it all for Fusion. At 5’10 and uber athletic, Parker gets her hands to every ball and is jump setting every chance she gets. She can remain neutral and can go in front or behind at multiple tempos. With her size and strength, she can play the front row as a pin as well and set a strong block. She’s dynamic and one to definitely watch heading into the summer.
Other Players To Note:
Katherine Cox – NEW Wave 16 Tsunami
Katie Debs – 1st Alliance 16 Black
Juliana Chapman – Sky High 16 Red
Hope Regas – Sky High 16 Red
Natalie Cipriano – Lions 16-1
Kirsten Krammer – Lions 16-1