Prep Dig Gauntlet: Top ’22 & ’23 All-Around Players
Sometimes a player just does something and makes you go “wow”. It doesn’t take you long to see that she has that “it” factor. This player can be identified as one of the best in the gym almost immediately. These…
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Continue ReadingSometimes a player just does something and makes you go “wow”. It doesn’t take you long to see that she has that “it” factor. This player can be identified as one of the best in the gym almost immediately. These players can be found in any pool and any bracket. Here are some of the best I saw at the Prep Dig Gauntlet.
Aida Shadewald Aida Shadewald 5'11" | OH Sauk Prairie | 2022 State #184 Nation WI – 2022 – 5’10 – Outside Hitter – Sauk Prairie – Madison United 17 Red – Committed to Wright State
Shadewald is an explosive six-rotation outside hitter. She is the go-to hitter for Madison and super dependable, so it is no wonder she is committed to play in the Horizon League in 2022. Shadewald is athletic, dynamic, and a leader by action.
Kara Schmit Kara Schmit 5'8" | OH DSHA | 2022 State WI – 2022 – 5’8 – Outside Hitter – DSHA – Milwaukee Sting 17 White
I love Schmit’s explosive power and her speed! She makes smart shots, as well as being able to swing across her body to nail the deep line. Schmit also has a deadly cross court serve that is sure to take teams out-of-system.
Ellie Gustafson Ellie Gustafson 5'10" | OH Monticello | 2023 State WI – 2023 – 5’10 – Outside Hitter – Monticello – Capital 16 Adidas
Intelligent player. This attacker is a six-rotation super explosive dynamite whether she is in the front row or back row. Gustafson takes a hard angle swing, can terminate from anywhere on the net, and is solid in serve-receive. She crushes the ball in a stack play and she made a statement, “I’m strong and my stock is rising” at the Gauntlet.
Madelyn Weyda Madelyn Weyda 5'10" | DS/L Germantown | 2022 State WI – 2022 – 5’10 – Libero – Germantown – Milwaukee Sting 17 White
This one might be a little confusing because how can a libero be an all-around 6-rotation player? Well, let me tell you a little about Weyda. She used to be a 6-rotation pin hitter, but when her team needed a libero, she said, “Sure, I can do that. Whatever I need to do to help my team.” And her team was in some really tense situations this weekend and she did such a good job of staying calm when it would be easy to geek out. She was solid in serve-receive and remained smart and steady on all the routine stuff. When her team hit a little funk, she went to hit from the outside pin and really did a great job to help her team get the win. You can’t ask for a much better TEAM player than Weyda, and she can do just about anything for you.
Izzy Stark Izzy Stark 5'11" | RS Mukwonago | 2022 State WI – 2022 – 5’11 – Right Side Hitter – Mukwonago – RVA G17 Navy
Stark is a go-getter who will play wherever she is needed. I am more concerned about how a player responds to a mistake than the mistake itself, which is why I loved seeing Stark respond to getting blocked with a well placed shot to the deep line. And she did this not once, but twice, for the kill. Stark played as the 6-rotation right side and did a great job covering the tip and making strong defensive reads.
Lauren Foerster Lauren Foerster 5'10" | OH Westosha Central | 2022 State WI – 2022 – 5’10 – Outside Hitter – Westosha Central – Sky High Adidas 17-1 NS
Sky High has a very strong team that is aggressive and effective at the net. Foerster is the primary attacker that commands the game from the 1st and 3rd contacts. She operates with a high motor, high energy, and is a total spark plug for Sky High . Foerster is really aggressive with a laser serve and defensively takes care of the deep corners. Her impressive strength is showcased when she is in the front row and elevates to take a huge swing.
Katie Heidenrich Katie Heidenrich 5'10" | OH Nicolet | 2022 State WI – 2022 – 5’10 – Outside Hitter – Nicolet – Sting Burling United 17 Orange – Committed to VCU
Heidenrich reminds me of a lioness or tiger because she is fierce, focused, stealthy, and has explosive power as she elevates and hammers the ball with authority. She uses her entire body to attack and defend. I can’t wait to see how she capitalizes on her senior season and then what she does at the next level!
Stephanie Hebel – 2022 – 5’10 – Outside Hitter – Central Catholic – Illini Elite 17 White – Committed to Olivet Nazerene (IL)
Hebel could easily be singled out as the strongest all-around player for Illini. She takes a high line swing across her body, which is not easy to do. Hebel also does a nice job using a controlled swing and smart placement. On the defensive side, she has an aggressive serve and is a really strong defender who frustrates a lot of opposing attackers.
Other Notables:
Cassandra Alsum Cassandra Alsum 5'9" | OH Randolph | 2022 State WI – 2022 – 5’10 – Outside Hitter – Randolph – Milwaukee Sting 17 White
Ellie Connor Ellie Connor 5'8" | S DSHA | 2023 State WI – 2023 – Setter – RVA G17 Navy
Grace Holschuh Grace Holschuh 5'11" | OH Luxemburg Casco | 2022 State WI – 2022 – 5’11 – Outside Hitter – Luxemburg-Casco – FC Elite 17 Navy – Committed to UW-Green Bay
Hannah Moe Hannah Moe 5'11" | OH Oconto | 2022 State WI – 2022 – 5’11 – Outside Hitter – Oconto – FC Elite 17 Navy – Committed to UW-Oshkosh
Josie Johnson Josie Johnson 5'6" | S Waterford | 2022 State WI – 2022 – 5’6 – Setter – Waterford – Sting Burlington United 17 Orange – Committed to UW-Milwaukee
Kayla Wigley Kayla Wigley 5'10" | OH Wisconsin Lutheran | 2022 State WI – 2022 – 5’10 – Outside Hitter – Wisconsin Lutheran – Milwaukee Sting 17 White
Megan Margolis – 2022 – 5’10 – Setter – Lake Forest – Sky High Adidas 17-1 NS (IL)