15U Badger Region: 24 Athletes, All Tournament Team Selections

A strong tournament team like this is a clear resemblance of the depth of talent this past weekend at the Badger Region 15 Open Championships.  With plenty of upsets, close matches, and chances at redeeming early season or early tournament losses this was a chance to bring out the best volleyball at this level.  This All Tournament Team is one of untraditional sorts with various categories to recognize not only the best players, but the top contributors to their team. Here is a recap and all tournament team to the Badger Region 15 Open Championships.

Watching these players compete, I forget they are only 15 years old.  They have the skills, the strength, the physicality. Many of these players were contributors for their Varsity teams this past Fall, but will be looking for a breakout season as Sophomores.  They have power at the net as an attacker and blocker. Keep an eye out for all of these names who are on the rise in the recruiting ranks!

Lizzie Binder - Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold - Sheboygan North

At the 15s level, or really any level for that matter rarely will you have a right side that can do a little bit of everything like Binder.  She can play on either pin, and what is most underrated about her is that she can play in the backrow as well. The physicality that Binder brings to the net is tough for anyone at this level to match up against.  Her block is an absolute wall that can really give an opposing outside fits, and seeing her jump and swing away is quite the sight. A definite Division 1 recruit that will be a solid get for any program.

Cora Behnke - FC Elite 15 Navy - Oconto

Long, athletic, high contact point, and a six rotation outside.  Behnke is an all around player that continues to step up in big matches.  Her cross court shot has always been a go to, but now she is developing a better sense of the court mixing in tips and shots.  Behnke has also shown a lot of progress in her serve receive and defense which will only add to her value of being a highly touted prospect at the next level.

Mariah Grunze - Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold - Waterford

Grunze is athletic and physical, much like Binder, and can bring a ton of power.  On Sunday, Grunze was bringing the heat hitting over the block, around the block, and through the block.  

Emma Mans - FC Elite 15 Navy - Fort Atkinson

When Mans steps on the court, you know it's someone you need to be aware of.  The 6'2 middle blocker has made so much progress this club season being able to get to the pin, read the setter, and transitioning for a swing.  When FC Elite is in system, Mans can put the hammer down on a quick or any type of tempo set.

Katie Winkler - Milwaukee Sting 15 Black - East Troy

At six feet tall Winkler is a left handed, strong, physical force on the right side.  On Saturday, Sting Black only had eight active players, with some playing out of their normal position.  Winkler was the definite go to point scorer. She is able to hit a hard cross or a roll shot and is incredibly efficient.  This Fall could be quite the breakout year for the soon to be Sophomore. Defending a left handed swing with that much velocity is tough for the defense at any level to handle.

Hattie Bray - WVA 15 Black - Wautoma

Bray is getting a touch on shots that completely takes the offense by surprise.  What they think will be an easy roll shot or free ball, Bray is able to sky high and send it back.  Bray also is incredibly quick and dynamic that can send a tip to the open spot or hammer a deep corner where there is no one close to defending it.  Fellow middle, Natalie Johanknecht is very similar, with a springy jump and an aggressive approach these two are solid when WVA is in system.

These athletes can do a little bit of everything.  Most have the skill set of being able to set or hit, while one can hit or play a solid backrow as a DS or libero.  Here are your top dynamic players from this past weekend.

Brooke Mosher - Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold - Waterloo

Committed To Illinois

Smooth.  Mosher glides on the court and has a demeanor that gives off the vibe that tells her teammates “It's All Good”.  Mosher has great footwork, a high IQ, and a smooth release when it comes to setting. As a hitter it is much the same.  Great position, smart shots, and being efficient is the name to her game. Illinois is getting a good one and she will be fun to watch as a Wisconsin prep athlete the next three years.

Katelyn Lefler - Motion (MVP) 15 Blue - Sussex Hamilton

MVP has made so much improvement over the course of two months since the beginning of January when I saw them at the Winter Classic.  This group is full of athletes at every position, but led by Lefler who is a right side hitter and a setter in the backrow. Lefler is very versatile in her skill set and contributes to her team in multiple ways.  The group of MVP 15s are definitely on the rise and will be a fun group to watch progress in years to come.

Josie Halbleib - Captial 15 Adidas - Sun Prairie

Capital may of had a tough weekend, but Halbleib is a six rotation player that plays really high as a setter and a right side hitter.  I saw Capital play early in the year at the Winter Classic and GLPL and I first noticed Halblieb as a hitter, and just assumed that was her go to, but she has great hands and feet as a setter.  Although, seeing her hammer down the line was pretty impressive to watch as a hitter.

Amanda Viel - Milwaukee Sting 15 Black - Burlington

I have heard coaches say, “We are one DS away from being really solid defensively”.  Viel is typically a DS for Milwaukee Sting 15 Black, but on Saturday, Viel was a 5'7 outside hitter taking swings with the best of them.  Viel has a solid platform, great positioning, and is extremely dependable on serve receive. I love seeing a DS go up and take a big swing and make it look like no big deal.  

These athletes are a third contact, put the ball away, get points on the board type.  Some use power, others use a variety of shots, and the best will use a combination of both.

Camylle Lapp - Motion MVP 15 Blue - New Berlin Eisenhower

When I take notes throughout a tournament I do it all digitally through my phone on my Notes app.  Lapp had a few !!!!  next to her name because she was a new player for me that I thought was really solid.  The right side/front row position at the 15s level can sometimes be hit or miss. Do you put someone there who can block?  Do you run a 5-1? Do you put someone there who is an outlet who won't error? For Lapp and MVP, she is someone who can score.  With an aggressive approach and swing she was a solid outlet and go to player for MVP throughout the whole tournament.

Isabella Bratzke - Milwaukee Sting 15 Black - Indian Trail

Bratzke brings a ton of athleticism to the court for Sting 15 Black.  On Saturday, I saw her swinging from the middle. With only eight active players, she is someone who can adapt easily to a new position.  On Sunday, she was at her normal position on the pin and was able to terminate. After dropping the first set against WVA in the Gold Playoff, Sting stormed back behind Bratzke and her play on the outside.  At just 5'8, Bratzke plays way higher than her height would indicate.

Payton Addink - Capital 15 Adidas - Sun Prairie

Addink is scoring points from all over the court.  Whether its the backrow, the pin, she can put a ball away from anywhere.  At six feet tall, Addink is long with solid skills in the backrow that allows her to play six rotations.  Addink and Halbleib will be able to take their skills from Capital right to Sun Prairie High School this Fall.

Sammie Seib - Wisconsin Juniors 15-1 - Catholic Central

Wisconsin Juniors has put together some big wins this season having defeated Milwaukee Sting 15 Black and WVA 15 Black.  Seib is a key player behind that success with a swing from the outside as well as the ability to play six rotations. This past fall at Catholic Central she had nearly 300 kills in her Freshman campaign and will be looking for more this upcoming season.

Elsa Shepherd - Milwaukee Sting 15 White - Pewaukee

Shepherd is fast, and she can jump.  There were some combo plays that Sting White was running where I would lose track of Shepherd out of the middle and the ball was down before her feet hit the ground.  Running a quick tempo is her style and when her motor is running she is tough to stop. Pewaukee has quite the crew of 2021 athletes.

Sydnie Stadler - Wisconsin Premier 15 Teal - Ozaukee

Stadler is one of the main point scorers for Premier with a solid serve receive and first contact.  With great consistency, Stadler is able to pick apart defenses with smart shots and powerful tools against formidable blocks  which proves that she will be a name to keep tabs on as she moves through the ranks.

These athletes are anchoring the back court or putting a wall up at the net.  From a defensive specialist to a middle, its all important from keeping the ball from hitting the floor.

Megan Hawthorne - Motion MVP 15 Blue - Sussex Hamilton

Hawthorne moves around the court with the athleticism and physicality of an outside hitter.  Once again, this MVP team is much improved and having a solid first contact from Hawthorne is one of their keys to success.

Grace Demetrician - WVA 15 Black - Appleton North

Demetrician has solid footwork and a great platform that allows WVA to run their middles in system.  She is a physical player who is not afraid to get on the floor and plays with a lot of intensity.

Tatum Catalano - Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold - Germantown

At just under six feet tall, Catalano is our middle blocker of the group who can move quickly from pin to pin being able to close the block.  With a solid group of athletes on the 15 Gold team, they still focus on doing the details correctly which even if she doesn't get the block, she is making it easier for their All State libero, Sam Naber, to defend out of left back.

Kady Stigler - Wisconsin Premier 15 Teal - Menomonee Falls

Wisconsin Premier came in as a three seed in their pool and ended up sixth overall with some wins over quality programs.  Stigler is the backbone to this team being a solid leader on the court and can pass with the best of them. Coming from a quality program in Menomonee Falls, she will be looking to make an impact in their highly competitive conference this fall, but she will first look to continue to climb the ranks with her Premier teammates.

For some of these athletes the future is now!  I have been holding off on writing about anything younger than the Class of 2021 (Currently Freshmen), but with the end of the school year approaching, summer camps starting, these athletes will be looking to make an impact Day 1 for their high school teams having been playing up an age (or two) this past club season.

McKenna Wucherer - Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold - Class of 2022 (Brookfield Central)

She is the NOW!  Wucherer has already committed to Minnesota and yes, is the real deal.  Great team player too! Her ability to cut a sharp angle or power down the line along with having great body language towards her teammates are just a few of her many tools that makes her one of the top in the nation.

Saige Damrow Saige Damrow 5'8" | DS/L Howards Grove | 2023 State #17 Nation WI - FC Elite 15 Gold - Class of 2023 (Howards Grove)

2023...yes, I know thats early.  But as one of the top liberos in the 15s division, Damrow will be a name not only talked about in the state of Wisconsin, but among coaches in the Power 5 Conference.

Natalie Ring - Capital Adidas 15 - Class of 2022 (Edgewood)

A great compliment to Payton Addink on the outside for Capital, Ring will starting her Freshman year at Edgewood in a few months.  Edgewood has a great group of younger athletes who will be looking to get back to the Resch.

Gianna Trotter - FDL Fusion 15 Purple - Class of 2022 (Fond du Lac)

Athleticism and power is what Trotter brings to the table.  A soon to be Freshman at Fond du Lac, she will be one to watch as she develops a back court game and a variety of shots to go with her power!