Capital, Motion, and Wi Juniors Lead The Way In Day One of GLPL

The first day of the Great Lakes Volleyball League for 15/16 Super Open is always exciting with teams getting a chance to compete against others from other states and continue to develop the game.  For 15s, this can be a huge jump competing with 16s who have had the experience of the Super Open Division.  For three Wisconsin teams, the 16s were able to flex their power and move out of Day 1 with a 3-0 record winning their pool.  Here are some highlights of the day.

Power In The Middle – There were some middle blockers that really stood out today.  When looking at middles, typically footwork, moving from pin to pin to block, and being able to transition is extremely important.  Oh, and playing high above the net helps too.  Karina Leber of Wisconsin Juniors 16-1 is a 6’3 Class of 2020 prospect that plays high and is extremely dynamic being able to attack off one foot, hit a tempo set, and terminate on a first ball.  Wisconsin Volleyball Academy 15 Black has Hattie Bray and Natalie Johanknecht are showing flashes of greatness.  Bray was a force at the net and Johanknecht has quick hops and a great shot selection.  Emma Mans is a 6’2 middle for FC Elite 15 Navy and is an absolute workhorse.  From blocking to working in transition to be available to swing is relentless.  She put some sets straight down as well as blocks that happened just out of work ethic.

Motion In Motion – Julia Treichel is not the big 6 foot outside hitter, but where her contact point is when she hits and how she is able to use the block, mix in shots, and her body language is absolutely contagious.  Motion plays with so much intensity and fire.  Madeline Siedenburg on the right side adds a new dimension that teams have to recognize with her athleticism and the team is also anchored by libero Tahya Pozorski.

Behnke on the Rise – Cora Behnke is a Class of 2021 outside hitter from “Up North”, Octono, WI which is just short of 40 minutes North of Green Bay.  At 6’1, Behnke is strong and physical with swings that are big league.  The FC Elite 15 Navy team is gritty, they won’t go away from teams that are suppose to beat them.  They are getting better each match.

Dominate Performance By Wisconsin Juniors 16-1 – Wisconsin Jrs 16-1 was working on all cylinders and the conductor to this train was Karlee Lois, a 5’7 setter from Union Grove.  Her footwork in on point, placement is where it needs to be, and is very crafty in disguising where she is going with her sets.  Credit her defense to making her job a little easier, but Lois makes it happen.  Oh, and she is also left handed and plays way taller than 5’7.  She is very aggressive when she does send it over on two, but is incredibly efficient.  

Matchups To Watch Sunday

Capital 16 Adidas vs. Epic United 16 ROX (IL)

WI Juniors 16-1 vs. Sports Performance C-Fed (IL)

Motion Volleyball 16 Blu vs. FaR Out 15 Black (MI)

Silver Pool A – Midwest Penguins 15 Black, WVA 15 Black, Wisconsin Premier 16 Teal

FC Elite 16 Navy vs. WVA 16 Black