2021 Prospects Make First Splash at Winter Classic
Convention center volleyball, so exciting to watch. As fans, we are so close to the court it feels like you’re in the game (and depending how the ball plays you sometimes are). What I was most impressed with out of the 15s pool play division was the level of communication. Backrow players are calling out the the blocks for their hitters, the open spots for them to hit as well. The body language and sense of urgency of fighting back when down by just a few points. The enthusiasm is so genuine, every point is so important, thats what makes this age level so exciting! Here is a first glimpse at some of the Class of 2021 to come out of pool play at the Winter Classic this past weekend in Milwaukee.
Cora Behnke (Oconto) – FC Elite 15 Navy – Outside Hitter
Behnke will be one of the top outside hitters to come out of the Class of 2021. At 6 feet tall and the ability to play six rotations solidly at this level is very rare. Behnke plays high above the net and is able to mix a variety of shots and not just try and overpower everything. For Oconto High School this past fall, she led her team with 295 kills. There is still plenty of room for growth in Behnke’s overall game. As she develops her back court passing and attacking Behnke will be scoring even more points from all positions.
Brooke Bolwerk (Appleton North) – FC Elite 15 Navy – Setter
Bolwerk is extremely well trained and disciplined for being at the 15s level. She has a very high volleyball IQ and one of the best releases of the setters I saw on Saturday at any level. Running a 6-2 on FC Elite, she is able to play a solid right back, but her hands and placement are her bread and butter. She attends Appleton North High School which has produced college level setters over the past five years under Coach Steve Scheuerell.
Kate Winkler (East Troy) – Milwaukee Sting 15 Black – Right Side and Natalie Tesch (Wisconsin Lutheran) – Milwaukee Sting 15 Black – Right Side
Playing the right side at the 15s level can be a little bit of a wild card. Some coaches go for the right side who is tall, others go for a secondary setter, and others are not viewed as an offensive weapon. Winkler and Tesch are 5’10 and 5’11 that can put up a solid block and play extremely high. They also have a huge window to hit from, meaning the set doesn’t have to be perfect for them to terminate. Having to defend both pins at any level is extremely tough, but to do it at 15s for six rotations puts a lot of stress on the defense. Winkler and Tesch will be fun to watch as they progress throughout the season.
Mackenzie Leach (Burlington) – Milwaukee Sting 15 Black – Outside Hitter
Leach definitely has the volleyball lineage, with family reunions consisting of plenty of volleyball coaches. Leach is extremely well disciplined on defense and does a great job of getting the ball to where the setter needs it. Right now, Leach is 5’7 playing on the pin, but swings very aggressively going for high hands. Milwaukee Sting 15 Black is dangerous because they are so balanced.
Abby Fregien and Jordan Berglin – Midwest Penguins 15 Black – Outside Hitter
Fregien and Berglin provide quite the 1-2 punch on the outside for MWP. Athletic, high flying, and the ability to score points even on the out of system ball. Fregien plays six rotations and has the ability to score out of the backrow. Overall, MWP plays with a ton of intensity and are very entertaining to watch. This will be a great combo to watch this upcoming weekend at GLPL as they compete in the 15/16 Super Open.
Alexis Boling – Midwest Penguins 15 Black – Middle Blocker
Boling is pure power for MWP. Get a ball in system and Boling is very aggressive and hits a heavy ball. There is no block that she is afraid of. While players are developing their game, before they start being crafty with shots, coaches want aggressiveness. Swing hard, go for it! Boling is definitely developing into a hard hitter!
A Few To Take Another Look At This Season
Kallissa Jaeger – Motion 15 Blu – Outside
Katelyn Lefler – Motion 15 Blu – Setter
Emma Mans (Fort Atkinson) – FC Elite 15 Navy – Middle Blocker
Kiersten Kraus (Neenah) – FC Elite 15 Navy – Setter/Right Side
Kaitlyn Riley (Catholic Memorial) – Milwaukee Sting 15 Black – Middle Blocker
Kayla Lewinski – Midwest Penguins 15 Black – Middle Blocker