Class of 2020 and 2021 Prospects at JVA Jamboree – Milwaukee
The JVA Jamboree is loaded with plenty of talent coming from the Class of 2020 (typicaly 16s) and the Class of 2021 (15s). With a few players, playing up on teams they get a chance to see what they are up against when faced with players who are a little stronger and have more experience. What is exciting about this tournament is a lot of the teams are not familiar with each other. For most who play at GLPL, they end up playing a lot of familiar opponents towards the end of the season. The field is wide open, let the madness begin in Milwaukee with the first serve at 8 AM, Saturday morning!
Class of 2020
Aliyah Carter, Outside Hitter, Dubuque Wahlert (IA), Adrenaline 17 Rox
Carter is one of the top outsides in the state of Iowa for the Class of 2020, she is playing in the 17-18 Open division with Adrenaline Rox. This past fall, Carter was on Dubuque Wahlert’s Class 4A state championship team, while also earning 1st Team Class 4A Honors (Class 5A is the large school class). She will be right up there among the most electric players in this tournament and also a high profile prospect to keep an eye on.
Sami Hilley, Middle Blocker, Champlin Park (MN), MN Select 17-1
This name should sound familiar to Wisconsin Badger fans. Sami is the younger sister to current Wisconsin setter, Sydney Hilley. Sami is a 5’11 middle blocker from Champlin Park High School in the suburbs of the Twin Cities and as of late a regular at the Minnesota State Volleyball Tournament. Hilley hit .364 on a high school team loaded with college level talent.
Kaleigh Fitzgerald, Outside Hitter/Libero, Kettle Moraine, Milwaukee Sting 16 White
Fitzgerald was an All State libero for Kettle Moraine last Fall, but plays on the outside for Milwaukee Sting 16 White. With a spark and fire on the court, Fitzgerald displays great ball control and an intensity that is contagious to her team. Sting 16 White is in a pool with MN Select 16-1 which will provide a great matchup of two of the top clubs in the Midwest.
Rylee Vaughn, Libero, Lake Country Lutheran, Milwaukee Sting 16 Black
Vaughn is an up and coming libero in the Class of 2020 who made an impact this fall in Lake Country Lutheran’s State Championship run. With nearly 300 digs for the Lightning, Vaughn is accustomed to high level volleyball and winning programs with LCL and Milwaukee Sting.
Madison Weyker, Outside Hitter, Brookfield Central, Milwaukee Sting 16 Black
Weyker is a six rotation outside that is a solid all around player. Under Coach Scott Spiess at Brookfield Central, Weyker had 210 kills and 377 digs. Weyker will team up next Fall with incoming Freshman and Minnesota commit, Mckenna Wucherer to be quite the 1-2 punch for the Lancers, along with Mckenna’s sister, Abby, who is also a member of Sting 16 Black, but is recovering from a knee injury.
Jacqueline Smith, Outside Hitter, Northland Pines, Wisconsin Ice 16 Purple
Smith is extremely dynamic and versatile with the ability to play on either pin and also set. At Northland Pines High School, Smith had just under 500 kills and 350 digs. Ice 16 Purple made it to the championship bracket of the Winter Classic earlier in January and we’ll see if they can do the same for the JVA Jamboree. They will be in a pool with D1 Elite out of Michigan, Milwaukee Sting 16 Black, and Wisconsin Performance UA2.
Kalli Mau, Setter, Kimberly, WVA 16 Black
Mau is a 5’10 athletic setter who is also a top high jumper in her area. This past fall she ran a 5-1 for Kimberly’s state tournament team playing with one of the top middles in the state in Emily Scott (committed to Louisville) and 2019 outside, Maggie Cartwright (committed to Arkansas). She is continuing to establish a strong connection with fellow high school and club teammate, Courtney Pearson, who is asserting herself as a rising 2020 outside hitter prospect. Mau’s WVA 16 Black team will be in a pool that will square up against another Arkansas commit in Jordyn Gates of Michigan Volleyball Academy.
Class of 2021
Kaitlyn Riley, Middle Blocker, Catholic Memorial, Milwaukee Sting 15 Black
Catholic Memorial has quite the volleyball tradition and Riley will be one to key on to keep their streak of state tournament appearances alive. Riley plays very high and is quick, athletic, and physical. She has been well trained through her high school and club experience and will only get better from here. Her 15 Black team is solid all the way around with weapons who can score at each position and solid ball control that allows them to run her in the middle.
Mira Shopra, Middle Blocker, Next Generation (IL), Illini Elite 16 Cardinal
Shopra will be playing up on Illini Elite 16 Cardinal where the other middle, Allie Trame, has already given her verbal to Alabama. Shopra is definitely a D1 prospect who dominates the net with her strength and athleticism, not to mention just plain entertaining to watch with how she gets better each match out. Being part of Illini Elite and playing up a level will definitely get her some recognition and top notch training.
Cora Behnke, Outside Hitter, Oconto, FC Elite
Behnke will be one of the top outside hitters in the Class of 2021 in Wisconsin. At 6’1 and very physical at the net, she is able to hit hard cross, roll it over the block, or adjust in the air and put it down the line. Behnke is able to play in the backrow as well, and will soon be a threat to score from any rotation. Her FC Elite team is a gritty, aggressive, and scrappy that will be one looking to make a run at the JVA Open division.
Brooke Bolwerk, Setter, Appleton North, FC Elite
Bolwerk is part one of the 6-2 that FC Elite runs. With great footwork and even better hands, Bolwerk is a perfect setter for this system. A solid defensive player and one that can run the middle, she is a key cog to the success of FC Elite.
Grace Demetrician, Libero, Appleton North, WVA 15 Black
Liberos are more than just great passers and serve receivers, they have to be able to command the court with communicating with their teammates, telling their hitters whats open, and being one of the emotional leaders at all times. Demetrician does just that for WVA 15 Black. With a solid passing platform and the ability to lead others, she has the intangibles all great liberos need in order to be among the best in 2021.
Morgan Yenter, Setter, Oshkosh West, WVA 15 Black
Yenter is nearly six feet tall and left handed, double bonus. With the ability to score points on second contact, smooth release and great hands, it makes for a solid all around setter. She will be going to her middles in Natalie Johanknecht and Hattie Bray who can run a great mix of tempo sets and are lethal off one foot. WVA 15 Black has a three seed in their pool, but definitely has the ability to get into championship bracket play if all parts come together.