New Athletes Ready To Make Impact In Class of 2021

The jitters were there, the speed was a little faster, and the players across the net a little bigger and stronger. When the 15s start play in the Great Lakes Power League Super Open there is a period of adjustment when the 15s and 16s age levels are combined. Not only are they playing against some older teams, these older teams are good….really good. But playing against better players at a faster pace will make only make the 15s better throughout the season.   FC Elite and Midwest Penguins Finish With 4-2 Record Both of these teams had a great showing at the Winter Classic in Milwaukee the weekend before which set them up for a good showing at GLPL. After being in a tough pool day one, both teams responded on day two going 3-0. These two teams mirror each other in the fact they are very balanced, well coached, and aren’t afraid to take on the bigger, more experienced teams. There is a little bit of a mind game in GLPL, if you are a 15s team and you are intimidated by a team that is 16, you’ve already lost. These two just went out and played hard which ended up in their favor.   Big Swings By Behnke Cora Behnke (Oconto) of FC Elite 15 Navy has eyes from some big time programs watching her at GLPL. At 6’1, strong, and athletic, she is putting some swings down where you forget that she’s playing for a 15s team. Watching her play is almost like seeing a young Hope Werch, a former WVA and Neenah All State player, who was recently named Big East Freshman of the year. Obviously, Behnke will develop her own style, but her athleticism and physicality is very impressive.   Future Is Bright For Sun Prairie and Capital Volleyball Academy! Sun Prairie High School just graduated some big time talent this year, but will be reloading. KJ McNabb is a standout outside hitter for Capital 16 Adidas, but she isn’t the only Capital player who will be looking to contribute for the Cardinals. Payton Addink is a 6 foot outside hitter who plays very high (9’6 touch) and extremely terminal for 15 Adidas. She can play all around and score from any position which is what you want out of your outside hitters. On the right side is another Sun Prairie athlete, Josie Halbleib, a 6’1 right side lefty who has a heavy swing will also be on the Cardinals roster next Fall. Capital 15 Adidas showed a ton of improvement from when I saw them at their first tournament last week at the Winter Classic to where they ended up on Sunday for GLPL.   MWP Frontline Midwest Penguins were just on the short end of a 18-16 set 3 loss to Milwaukee Sting 15 Black last weekend at the Winter Classic, but had a solid performance this weekend at GLPL, finishing with a 3-0 record on Sunday. With a powerful frontline, this group will be very competitive as a 15s team. Outside hitter, Jordan Berglin (Pewaukee), has quite the vertical. Put her in position for a clean swing and she is very terminal. Middle blocker, Alexis Boling (Waukesha West), is extremely quick with her feet and with her swing. Boling plays with absolutely no fear and hasn’t met a block that she won’t hit through. Right side, Kayla Lewinski (Sussex Hamilton), is quite the athlete. Right sides at the 15s level don’t get a ton of swings, but for Lewinski, she makes great use of the attempts she gets being very aggressive. She also isn’t afraid to put her foot through a chair to save a ball :)   Depth At The Middle In the Fox Valley, which consists of the area around Appleton and Oskkosh, there is a depth of middles that colleges won’t have to travel far to see a lot of talent at a club practice. For Wisconsin Volleyball Academy (WVA), they are led by Hattie Bray (Wautoma HS) and Natalie Johanknecht (Oshkosh West). Bray is nearing 6’2, long, and is pretty lethal off of one foot. Bray and Johanknecht are very quick and athletic getting from pin to pin to block. Johanknecht is springy and sees the court well. FC Elite 15 Navy has a really strong Sunday going 3-0 in their pool. With Behnke on the pin, she has 6’2 Emma Mans (Fort Atkinson) in the middle to keep the defense honest. Hard working, strong, and physical Mans is a force. With a quick swing and the ability to transition in system she is definitely an athlete to keep tabs on as the club season progresses.