Wisconsin Class of 2019: New Names Rising To The Top 50

The Class of 2019 rankings are out and its no secret this class is loaded with pin hitters.  Athletes going to Wisconsin, Purdue, Marquette, Arkansas, Wichita State and Loyola that are finding their way to established powerhouses programs as well as the ones on the rise.  Our top ten recruits have all made a verbal commitment as to where they are playing their collegiate volleyball, with Dru Kuck leading the way at number 1 heading to Wisconsin as a libero.  A physical, gritty, and athletic game changer that could have an instant impact at the Badgers.  However there are plenty who have dramatically increased their stock in the rankings and a few names that you might not recognize that will soon become the next commits in the Class of 2019.

Stock Risers In The Class of 2019

#11 - Sopheea Mink - Capital 17 Adidas - 6’1 MB - DeForest High School

On the Capital website it has Mink listed as touching 10’4, and after seeing her play that is a legit number.  Comparable to her middle counterpart for Capital, Kiana Schmitt, who has committed to Creighton, Mink has an upside that is far from being reached, even with a potential move to the outside.  With the raw athletic ability in the middle she could even be a great fit on the pin or the right side.  With elite training at Capital and a solid schedule that will get her looks from high profile programs, Mink can be a force to be reckon with in her last two years at the club level.  In our initial rankings based on the high school season Mink was a blip on the radar, but now has risen to number eleven.  

#13 - Brianna Merkel - Milwaukee Sting 17 Gold - 5’11 OH/S - Franklin High School

Much like Mink, Merkel has risen over twenty spots to be a top 15 player in her class.  What is most impressive about Merkel is her versatility.  With a heavy arm on the outside, she is also incredibly smooth as a setter.  With her teammate Kayce Litzau, who has already committed to Wichita State, they make for quite the tandem on Sting 17 Gold.  Merkel’s late charge has come at a great time to still be seen by some solid Division 1 programs that are looking for someone with athleticism and an all around skill set.

#22 - Rachel Aasby - Wisconsin Volleyball Academy 17 Black - 5’10 OH - Lourdes Academy

Aasby has made her mark at the high school level by being a part of three straight state tournaments for Lourdes Academy in Oshkosh.  A solid six rotation outside, Aasby can find ways to score points in a hurry; from behind the service line, back row attacks, and being incredibly high IQ using the block and hit shots she finds a way to win.  Aasby will find a spot at the college level where her all around skill set will be a huge selling point.  

#28 - Bailey Neuberger - Capital Adidas 17 - 5’11 OH - Marshall High School

In our initial rankings Neuberger barely cracked the top 50, but after seeing her play live for Capital Adidas 17’s she clearly has the ability to play against some of the best players at a high level.  Like, I mentioned before, this class is loaded with solid pin hitters and Neuberger is definitely one to be added to that list.  With two solid middles in Mink and Schmitt for Capital, this leaves Neuberger plenty of opportunities to terminate from the outside.  

#35 - Nicole Martin - Motion MVP 17 Blu - 6’0 OH - Greendale High School

Martin has already played in three state tournaments for Greendale, and will be looking to make a fourth with high school teammate Kayce Litzau.  Martin is strong and very physical at the net where she had 409 kills this past high school season for the Panthers.  Motion 17 Blu has a very athletic roster that also has Chyna Bacchus who can set and hit.  Martin definitely has the potential to continue to rise in the rankings throughout this club season leading into high school.

#49 - Grace Mans - FC Elite 17 Navy - 5’11 S - Fort Atkinson

Mans is a solid setter playing for FC Elite 17 Navy who has picked up exactly where they left off last year in the top pool/bracket of the Great Lakes Power League.  They will have some big tournaments coming up with MEQ and the Northern Lights Qualifier in hopes of earning an Open bid to Nationals.  Mans was someone who wasn’t even on our radar coming out of high school, but the exposure of playing with an “Elite” team has skyrocketed her stock as a college athlete.  With great hands and a physical style of play, Mans will be a solid pick up at the next level.  Between her and Caroline Dragani, a Portland State commit, these two setters keep the hitters of FC Elite hummin!