The Top Ten of the Wisconsin Class of 2024

The inaugural rankings of the Class of 2024 are posted, they're here. This class came into high school in the middle of a pandemic, with all not even having a “normal” high school season. We felt those effects from a Prep Dig rankings perspective with these athletes getting limited opportunities in the fall of 2020 with some playing a limited high school schedule in the fall and others a limited schedule in the alternate spring season (while also playing club). We were able to rank nearly 80 players to start with an additional watchlist. We based most of these decisions off performances at the club level as well as various camps, leagues, and summer tournaments.   What is the biggest challenge in ranking 15s? These athletes are changing daily! What we saw in January is very different than what we saw in June (in a great way). Some of these athletes are switching positions, finding what their niche will be in the volleyball world. Some will change high schools, others will change clubs, there is plenty of movement among this age group year after year. We base our rankings on who has the highest impact for their team at the highest level of play. These rankings will change with another update after the high school season. Even with the Class of 2023, we added 60 players since our last update during the club season. Just like these athletes, our rankings continue to evolve.   Who Are The Athletes In The Top Ten? <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> One of the top 2024 pins in the country <a href="https://x.com/ellademetrician?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ellademetrician</a> will not get denied twice. Going to be a Sophomore at <a href="https://x.com/anorth_vb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@anorth_vb</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/PDSizzle?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PDSizzle</a> <a href="https://t.co/ewrSSBB8vf">pic.x.com/ewrSSBB8vf</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1415786386632941569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 15, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 1. [player_tooltip player_id="122483" first="Ella" last="Demetrician"] - Appleton North - FC Elite Outside Hitter In a matter of ten days, Demetrician won an alternate season state title with Appleton North and finished in the top eight in the country with her FC Elite 18 Elite team at USAV Open Nationals. What makes her the top player in the Class of 2024? She can take over a game from any rotation. She can pass, serve receive, and score points from the front or backrow. Demetrician also has an extra gear where she can take over when it gets tight. She thrives in a big moment and her best is elevated when her team needs her the most. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Get use to the combo of Wagner to Bjork for and <a href="https://x.com/stingvb1988?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@stingvb1988</a> - solid setter/middle combo. Class of 2024. We're going to set three <a href="https://t.co/5U7BYfqJ3R">pic.x.com/5U7BYfqJ3R</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1355891120094531585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 2. [player_tooltip player_id="122475" first="Anna" last="Bjork"] - Oconnomowoc - Milwaukee Sting Middle Blocker So dynamic. Bjork is a middle blocker who has been key for Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold and will be a major force to be reckoned with at Oconomowoc this fall. She's long, athletic, and with her length and size she can really move quickly along the net where teams always have to know where she is. Defensively she can close a block and reads the other side of the net really well while offensively she can hit every tempo and attack off of one foot. [caption id="attachment_101898" align="aligncenter" width="446"]<img class=" wp-image-101898" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/07/DSC09595.jpg" alt="" width="446" height="297" /> [player_tooltip player_id="122568" first="Lilly" last="Wagner"], Class of 2024 from Oconomowoc[/caption] 3. [player_tooltip player_id="122568" first="Lilly" last="Wagner"] - Oconomowoc - Milwaukee Sting Setter The Wagner/Bjork combo will be one to keep tabs on for the next three years. They team up for Oconomowoc and for Sting where their connection is on point. Wagner has length and speed where she can swing on the pin as well as set. As a setter, she receives the ball high and neutral where she can go anywhere with the ball. Her potential has no ceiling where she will be fun to watch expand her game over the next few years where her athleticism will be a major X-Factor to her game. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Big kill by Aly Saleh and the backset by [player_tooltip player_id="122560" first="Andi" last="Spies"] is on the money <a href="https://x.com/CapitalVbAll?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CapitalVbAll</a> <a href="https://t.co/Vno85w05Ib">pic.x.com/Vno85w05Ib</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1399447415640440834?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 4. [player_tooltip player_id="122560" first="Andi" last="Spies"] - Fort Atkinson - [program_tooltip program_id='431531' first='Capital' last='Volleyball Academy'] Setter I thought Spies was a Freshman three years ago - not really, but she's been playing up for Capital where she fits in so well with her 16 Adidas team from this past season. Spies is so smooth with how she can set, anticipating the ball so she can get her hands on it. She was a key player to the Badger Region High Performance Team where she was named to the all tournament team at the All Star Series. [caption id="attachment_105308" align="aligncenter" width="449"]<img class=" wp-image-105308" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/08/Melia-Johnson1.jpg" alt="" width="449" height="299" /> [player_tooltip player_id="122499" first="Melia" last="Johnson"], 2024,[/caption] 5. [player_tooltip player_id="122499" first="Melia" last="Johnson"] - Slinger - Milwaukee Sting Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter One of the most powerful attackers in this class, Johnson is dynamite when she swings. It sounds different when she makes contact with the ball. She's played middle and is also seeing time at the pin where she could have a bright future (either position is a bright future for her). Her athleticism will translate well as she expands her backcourt game as well and could definitely take over a game. I think Johnson and her Slinger team will have a breakout season and turn plenty of heads. <img class=" wp-image-151871 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/08/Claire-21-season-212x300.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="447" /> 6. [player_tooltip player_id="122523" first="Claire" last="Luoma"] - Franklin - Milwaukee Sting Libero Speaking of turning heads, I think Franklin could be a team to watch with a variety of athletes and plenty of depth from a ball control standpoint. [player_tooltip player_id="122523" first="Claire" last="Luoma"] is one of the top defenders in the Class of 2024 and that was apparent when she attended our Summer Showcase in 2020 heading into her Freshman year. She is able to make routine plays as well as the ones out of her range to keep the ball in play. With USA HP training and plenty of reps at Sting, she is so fundamentally sound where she makes a lot of the difficult plays look routine. Plus, she plays with such a spark and fire that is contagious for the rest of her team. <img class=" wp-image-153465 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/08/DSC05990.jpg" alt="" width="419" height="279" /> 7. [player_tooltip player_id="122566" first="Emerson" last="Van Lannen"] - Appleton North - FC Elite Setter/Right Side Versatility at its finest. Van Lannen is the ultimate combo player where she can set, swing, defend, do it all. Wherever her team needs her, she can do it. This past club season she was a front row right side player and a backrow setter. She has great footwork, is fundamentally sound, and plenty of athleticism and IQ where she outworks and outwits to score points for her side. This upcoming high school season she would most likely set in some capacity for Appleton North who will have one of the top teams in the Midwest. <img class=" wp-image-134356 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/03/DSC05936.jpg" alt="Baierl, FC Elite" width="437" height="291" /> 8. [player_tooltip player_id="122497" first="Olivia" last="Baierl"] - Howards Grove - FC Elite Libero/Outside Hitter I've seen Baierl take over a game from the libero position where she had a major breakout club season for FC Elite 15 Navy. Most recently, I saw her play on the outside for Howards Grove and she scores points out there. A pattern of these top players is that they have versatility, they are playing multiple positions which translates to greater value for their team. A lot of these athletes are looking to find a way into the varsity lineup and when you can play multiple positions, the greater the chance of being on the court. Baierl is someone who will find a way to play and contribute. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://x.com/lillywagner26?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@lillywagner26</a> runs the middle so well. This time to [player_tooltip player_id="122468" first="Rylea" last="Alvin"] who is so dynamic and athletic for <a href="https://x.com/sting_gold?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sting_gold</a> <a href="https://x.com/RecruitMKESting?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RecruitMKESting</a> <a href="https://t.co/jLI3Rw9zLL">pic.x.com/jLI3Rw9zLL</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1370366405636407297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 9. [player_tooltip player_id="122468" first="Rylea" last="Alvin"] - Randolph - Milwaukee Sting Middle Blocker Alvin is one of the top middle blockers in the state, but she is one of the top overall athletes in the state. She's the type who plays in a sectional final basketball game on Saturday and a club tournament on Sunday. She brings a strong and physical game to the front line as a middle blocker presence where she is relentless in how she roams the net looking for a block, going straight into transition to attack and score. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> More names to know as we move into the final four: [player_tooltip player_id="91898" first="Olivia" last="Clinton-Ragonese"] - MWP Jennacy Wille - I AM VBC [player_tooltip player_id="122574" first="Olivia" last="Wyma"] - <a href="https://x.com/stingvb1988?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@stingvb1988</a> [player_tooltip player_id="82963" first="Greta" last="Wise"] - <a href="https://x.com/FCEliteVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCEliteVB</a> [player_tooltip player_id="122527" first="Emma" last="Nilson"] - <a href="https://x.com/FCEliteVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FCEliteVB</a> <a href="https://t.co/pPJ1UYnIkT">pic.x.com/pPJ1UYnIkT</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1366034795919249413?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 10. [player_tooltip player_id="122527" first="Emma" last="Nilson"] - Fox Valley Lutheran - FC Elite Middle Blocker Nilson was on a 14-2's team just over a year ago and now she is one of the top middle blockers in her class. Much like Alvin, she brings strength and physicality where she can set a strong block, but also hits the ball square off a variety of tempos. She preps at Fox Valley Lutheran out of the Appleton area who returns a strong core of athletes that will be tough to battle in the NEC and their section come late October. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Find the latest event list here ⤵️ <a href="https://t.co/PwUj7sNVoW">pic.x.com/PwUj7sNVoW</a> — Prep Dig Circuit (@PDCircuit) <a href="https://x.com/PDCircuit/status/1420535143706546177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>