2018 Club Preview: Wisconsin Volleyball Academy 18 Black

At the 18s level there are always a few question marks on a club team.  For some athletes it’s their version of a college spring season preparing for the teams they will be joining in the summer and competing with in fall, others it might be their last chance to land that scholarship or find a college to play for, but for most its their last hurrah with their club, their friends, and the last chance to consistently play in front of friends and family.

For Wisconsin Volleyball Academy 18 Black out of Appleton, they have a few players who fill into all of the above mentioned categories as well as some newcomers to the team.  There are a lot of question marks about this team, but a few things that are given is that this team is very powerful in the middle, dynamic on the pin, and plenty of athletes who can play a variety of positions.

With how the 18s year sets up with their Nationals at the end of April in Anaheim, California this year, this team will not be playing in the Great Lakes Power League and with face the gauntlet of USAV Qualifiers in Chicago, Omaha, Indianapolis, and Boston.  By the end of April this team will be battle tested and ready for a chance to compete at a high level at nationals.

Power In The Middle

WVA 18 Black has one of the top middles in the Class of 2018 in Emily Scott, a commit to Louisville, who is a highlight video running the slide and approaching off one foot.  An

incredible athlete who will also be going for her fourth straight Wisconsin high jumping state title this spring as well, the offense will run through her.  Along with Scott is Alexis Dorner, a Green Bay recruit, can play from the middle or right side.  She saw a lot of success playing for WVA 18 Black last year on the right side and will be a huge contributor this season as well.

With two setters this season they will have options as far as what system they go with in a 5-2, 5-1, or 6-2.  Megan Cannon is a Robert Morris commit and Abby Fortune, who has been with Academy her whole volleyball career, is a commit to Northern Michigan.  Once again, more proof this team will be incredibly dynamic and versatile.

Playing Up

Maddie Koch, a Purdue commit, and Lily Welti, a St. Louis commit, will be playing on the outside for WVA 18 Black this season.  Koch is incredibly physical and like Dorner, exploded onto the club scene last season at the 16s level.  With an incredibly high ceiling to continue her improvement she will be looked upon to carry this team with everything out of system.  

Welti, is a threat to score anywhere on the court, and has an intensity about her that is unafraid to go up against the biggest and best blockers in the nation.  She has played high level club her whole career, a step up to 18s will be a smooth transition for her and allow her to expand her shot selection going up against some of the big blocks she will see at the Division One level.

The Committed

Emily Scott, Kimberly, MB - Louisville

Alexis Dorner, Luxemburg-Casco, MB/RS - Green Bay

Megan Cannon, Luxemburg-Casco, S - Robert Morris

Abby Fortune, Appleton North, S - Northern Michigan

Maddie Koch, Ashwaubenon, OH - Purdue

Lily Welti, Middleton, OH - St. Louis 

Still Available

Brianna Weyenberg is a 6’1 middle who had great success during her prep career for Kimberly.  A high academic athlete, she will be a great student athlete with whatever program she finds for the right fit.  Weyenburg can put up a big block and has a variety of shots out of the middle.

Lauren Spaulding of Sheboygan North and Katie Hoeffner of Appleton North are both extremely dynamic athletes that will have a place to play in their college careers, but its just a matter of where.  Both are solid six rotation players that can play on the pin, but could also see time as a DS/Libero.  

Madyson Schroeder had a very successful high school season at libero for upstart Bay Port.  Schroeder brings a lot of quickness and a solid platform with the ability to read extremely well.