2022 Commit, Wucherer: From Sting Gold To Golden Gopher
In 2016, playing for Milwaukee Sting 13 Gold, here was this middle blocker who could hit hard, then mix up some shots from the outside, and could even play a little defense too. For the spectator, she was really good, she was playing in the A Bracket at the Great Lakes Power League at the Great Lakes Volleyball Center in Aurora, Illinois for 14 year olds, and little did most know she was only twelve years old at the time, not 14 like everyone else. What? Mckenna Wucherer or “Wuchs” everyone, welcome to the volleyball world. Now, she can call herself a “Gopher”, the first commit of the Class of 2022.
Fast forward two years, she’s 6’1 and has yet to finish junior high. However with some high performance training, a round of college visits, and being in the national volleyball spotlight, Wucherer has made her decision that most Seniors in high school are still toying with. The weekend of January 13, 2018 Wucherer made the call to play for Coach Hugh McCutcheon at the University of Minnesota.
Recruiting happens at a very early age for some, but to be this young and recruited by big time schools is very rare.
“It was pretty crazy for how early the recruiting process started for me. I received my very first letter from a top Big Ten school (not where I committed) in March of 2016,” said Wucherer, who now plays primarily on the outside.
“I went through the process for about a year and a half. It was a very complicated process, but I have always thought about my future in college from a very young age. I enjoyed the recruiting process, because I was able to meet many new people and coaches in the process over the phone and in emails. Although I am very young, I really enjoyed talking to coaches and learning about their school and volleyball programs.”
For some recruits, they need to think about what is important to them in a university. If athletes base it purely on volleyball, that can change between the time they commit to when they step on campus based on the coach, players on the team, and the culture. For Wucherer, she had plenty of factors that went into this decision, but most of all she wanted a place that felt like home.
“I was looking for a good mix of academics and athletics, great athletic facilities, a university that was very interested, involved, and who wanted to learn about who I am along with a highly respected coaching staff that I could rely on them and the players for not only volleyball, but in life.”
The decision is something that athletes need the proper guidance. Having a strong support system of family and coaches is essential. Mckenna’s older sister, Miranda, is a
The Wucherer Sisters From Left to Right: Miranda Wucherer, Mckenna, and Abby. Miranda will play at Northern Kentucky, Mckenna in the middle, and Abby also plays for Milwaukee Sting and will be a Junior at Brookfield Central High School.Northern Kentucky recruit and member of Milwaukee Sting 18 Gold. Sting also has coaches and staff that have helped others go through the same recruiting process to ultimately find the school that is the best fit for the athlete.
“My dad (Greg Wucherer) was very influential by helping me write emails, film my matches, add video to my emails and set up phone calls with coaches. My sister, Miranda, would help me with interviews. Also, she was a big help in finding the perfect fit for me in a university. She helped me research each school to see things I may be interested in academically. My coaches, Scott Spiess and Brett Damrow, and Recruiting Coordinator, Colleen Houk, were also a big help in the recruiting process. They shared a lot of their time answering my questions and taking phone calls from college coaches.”
From a parent perspective, it can be a little bit scary, but also exciting. Greg Wucherer, Mckenna’s father, had a little bit of advice for parents who will be going through the recruiting process with their kids.
“Don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions to all the coaches. I feel “Education First” no matter how old your daughter. Find the university that offers a handful of degree programs your daughter would be interested in. Last, enjoy the visits and make sure your daughter feels most comfortable with her choice,”
But what now? The decision has been made, a relief for sure, but what’s next? The journey is far from over, it now has a new chapter, Wucherer still has goals to achieve and areas to improve in. The hunger is there to constantly work on her game and also make her teammates better in the process.
“I will work with my teammates to be the best each and every day on the court. For myself, I will push myself to become bigger and stronger which will help me in my play in the future. The person I was before I committed will be the same now after I committed. A good friend and teammate who loves to play volleyball and laugh and smile while intensely playing the game.”
That 12 year old that was playing with the “big kids”, still has the spirit and enthusiasm, the enjoyment of playing the game she loves with her friends.
Wucherer will play with Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold this 2018 and will be a Freshman at Brookfield Central High School this upcoming fall where she will team up with her sister Abby who is a middle blocker for the Lancers.
Mckenna Wucherer #3 with her Milwaukee Sting Gold teammates. Wucherer will play for 15 Sting Gold this season.Just For Fun:
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Mint Chocolate Chip
Favorite Club Event/Tournament To Play In: Bluegrass (Louisville, Kentucky), because it is always around my birthday
Favorite TV Show/Netflix Binge: Better Late Than Never
Favorite Phone App: Sandbox
Biggest Volleyball Pet Peeve: When the blockers purposely try to block your sight of the server/screening
If you could change any rule in volleyball what would it be: That you would not get called for back row attacks
Place You Want To Travel To: Italy
Favorite Way To Score a Point: A HUGE BLOCK!