Recapping The 15s, The Class of 2024 – Athletes & Events of 2021
The 15s 2021 club season has come to an end. Champions have been crowned, the final social media post peacing out has been submitted, and it is time to relive some of the top moments. These athletes came into the…
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Continue ReadingThe 15s 2021 club season has come to an end. Champions have been crowned, the final social media post peacing out has been submitted, and it is time to relive some of the top moments. These athletes came into the year with a hunger, something to prove. Starting virtually, with masks, and plenty of uncontrollables to finish on the nations largest youth volleyball stage in Orlando in Vegas flashing smiles and college coaches in the house. With any sort of ending to a season, I love to reflect. Here are a few of my favorites that still sit with me today. Here are the 15s top athletes, events, and moments that were 2021.
**These are all moments I saw live.
The Athletes
Janelle Green – KC Power 15-1
Green just draws you in. Whether you are a teammate, spectator, or coach, Green says, “Come with me and I’m going to show you how to win”. She has the intangibles, the confidence to her game, and the ability to take over when it gets tight. As a setter, she’s a natural “quarterback” on the court where she knows the matchups to get her attackers in position to terminate and is the first to hype them up for the kill. KC Power stubbed their toe a bit to start USAV Nationals, but came back to finish 5th in the Gold Bracket. They will continue to rise in the ranks of top 2024s not only in the Midwest, but the entire country.
Saw this team in early March at MEQ and knew they had something special in the making. Congrats @dynastyvbc https://t.co/8Q6N9mRbdM
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) July 1, 2021
Skylar Pierce – Dynasty 15 Black
National Champion. Not many athletes get to claim that tile and Skylar Pierce and her Dynasty teammates did just that this past week, claiming the USAV 15 Open title. Pierce is long, athletic, and finds a way to contribute everywhere on the court. She is also a standout on the basketball court as well where she did some double duty this pring. Piercewill be one of the top overall prospects out of the Class of 2024. This is bold statement now, but with how the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) now being a factor for the future of college athletes, Piercecould be one to have a big influence on a national level.
Anna Bjork and Lilly Wagner – Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold
These two are going to connect time and time again with Wagner being the top setter in Wisconsin’s Class of 2024 and Bjork being the top middle in Wisconsin’s Class of 2024. They also are on the same high school team (Oconomowoc in suburban Milwaukee). Bjork is extremely dynamic and powerful where she can take it to both corners and Wagner is a long setter who can also swing on the pin. They were part of an Open division team in Sting 15 Gold that had a very successful season. This is only the beginning to a very storybook career for this tandem.
@ellademetrician for @anorth_vb – 2024 pin has been 📈📈📈 all year. Will be in Columbus for @usavolleyball 18 Open with @FCEliteVB 18 Elite pic.twitter.com/LcD5QfkSgM
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) April 18, 2021
Ella Demetrician – FC Elite 18 Navy
Demetrician will be the top Class of 2024 prospect out of Wisconsin. She is a 6’1 outside hitter out of Appleton, WI that provides a blend of finesse and power along with the ability to pass nails out of serve receive and middle back. Her 15s year was a bit unique with her high school season being moved to the spring (Wisconsin had a fall and an alternate season). In a matter of a week, Demetrician was a key piece to the Appleton North state championship and then play a key part in FC Elite 18 Navy’s Gold Bracket run in 18 Open, losing to eventual champion Nebraska Premier.18 Gold. Demetrician plays with a competitive edge, a hunger, a killer instinct where she can score when the moment is big.
Grace Nelson – Lions 15-1
1st Alliance/Lions out of the Chicagoland area always provides some of the top teams in the country. A perennial power in the USAV Open Divisions, this Lions 15-1 squad was among the best the whole season. Nelson is an outside hitter who is so solid all the way around from passing to attack and using what the defense gives her. She has such a blend of finesse and power. What makes her so dangerous is that teams know the ball is coming to her on the outside and she will tool the block or find a creative way to score points.
The Up and Coming Teams
Adversity 15 Adidas Black
I was able to see this team throughout the season and they have pieces to do some damage in the next couple of seasons. Nicole Cornell propels them as left handed setter who can also attack. One of her top targets is left handed right side, Ana Vetter who can reach high and really snap to score points.
FC Elite 15 Navy
A final four finisher in the USAV 15 National Division, this team uses solid defense and a well balanced attack to quietly pick up big wins this season. They defeated Sting 15 Gold in the Badger Region Qualifier to earn their bid and this past week in Vegas, the results spoke for themselves. They have an up and coming 2024 libero in Olivia Baierl who is so steady and consistent, but can change the game with her first touch alone. She was an All Tournament pick this past week.
Mission 15 Elite
Mission, out of Northern Illinois in the Chicago suburbs had a solid season for a young club. The 15 Elite team had a final four finish out of the Great Lakes Region. Gabrielle Wire is an electric outside who can score plenty of points. Mission also had a really physical 14 Elite squad who played at the Prep Dig Gauntlet that showed plenty of promise for the future.
The Matches To Remember
Ticket 🎫 @FCEliteVB goes on a huge run to finish set two and take the match and National bid to @usavolleyball pic.twitter.com/2E3aSim0Xa
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) February 28, 2021
FC Elite 15 Navy defeating Sting 15 Gold at the Badger Region Qualifier. FC Elite and Olivia Baierl found a way to dig the middles and played a highly efficient match to claim the Badger Region Qualifier Championship.
KC squads holding down the first two days. @kcpowervb 15s use solid ball control and multiple weapons on offense to go 3-0 in 🏆 pic.twitter.com/BpbQ8Op5CC
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) March 13, 2021
KC Power 15-1 over Lions 15-1 at MEQ. Two of the top teams in the nation going head to head in Indianapolis. The length and balance of KC Power in the front line was extremely powerful, but Lions had the defense to counter the punches.
More names to know entering the third round of matches:
Camille Morrison – @ClubFusionVB
Alayna Pierce – @ClubFusionVB
Lydia Busker – @1stAllianceVBC
Kaitlyn Dumpit – @ClubFusionVB
Jaimie Marquardt – @SkyHighVB pic.twitter.com/cmXbJKGD5R— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) February 27, 2021
Fusion 15 Red over Mission 15 Elite at the Great Lakes Region Qualifier. These two clubs have plenty of familiarity with each other and Fusion 15 Red came out on top. Alayna Pierce is a top outside for Fusion 15 Red that is a pure point scorer from everywhere on the court.
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