Badger Region: 16 Open All Defensive Underdogs and Newcomers

<h3>All Defensive Underdogs</h3> The liberos get a lot of credit and are standouts in the backrow. This past weekend there were plenty of high quality liberos and middles who were the big names, however here are some names that may not be as well own who had a really solid weekend defensively, or names that stepped up their defensive game that proved to be huge for their team. Here is a recap of the defensive underdogs from the 16 Open Badger Region Championships. Ainsley Apel - DS - Capital Adidas 16 - Sauk Prairie When it comes to defense in the back row, the libero definitely gets the glory, but there are plenty of defensive specialists at this level who are legit liberos for their high school teams. Apel is another important piece of the defensive puzzle for Capital with a solid serve and platform that makes her dependable in the back row. Coaches aren’t always looking for the diving into the crowd plays to save the ball (although that is nice and adds entertainment value). Apel always finds herself in great position and makes the routine plays to keep a solid Capital offense flowing. Amanda Boehm - MB - Wisconsin Premier 16 Teal - Slinger Physically imposing across the net at 6’4, Boehm is a go to player for Wisconsin Premier 16 Team. With a high reach and quality footwork, Boehm is someone that can make a difference and swing the momentum in just a few points. Sydney Burris - RS - Motion 16 Blue - Greendale Martin Luther The right side block is so important, especially when going against some outside hitters who will be playing at solid college programs in a couple of years. Burris is a strong and physical right side who can close a block and shut down an outside. Carly Clausen - MB - Sting 16 Black - Catholic Memorial Much like McCormack on the other side of the net, Clausen was able to match her block for block in their match against Sting White. Clausen is from Catholic Memorial who has another solid middle blocker in Kaitlyn Riley who plays for 15 Sting Black. These two will be quite the duo come high school season always having a strong physical presence in the middle at all times. Claire Chier - RS/S - WVA 16 Black - Lourdes Academy The match up with WVA and Capital definitely put some pressure on the block of WVA with the powerful outsides of Capital. Chier is a 6’3 right side who can also set. She puts up a huge block, but is also a solid defensive player and can serve receive well too. Morgan McCormack - MB - Milwaukee Sting 16 White - Kettle Moraine McCormack was on the all tournament team and the “All Defensive” team I’m trying to find some new players, but it's tough to leave McCormack off. The blocking ability she displayed throughout the whole tournament, especially in Sting White’s victory over Sting Black was so crucial especially in the third set when it came down to a matter of points. McCormack may not be the tallest of middles, but quickness and timing are so key to getting the stuff which McCormack has it down! Karlie McNabb - OH - Capital Adidas 16 - Sun Prairie Usually McNabb is someone to be written about in regards to her high flying attacking ability (which is still there, even out of the back row), but she plays a really solid middle back on defense. The middle back has the responsibility of reading the block, seeing the split, and then reacting to whatever comes their way, much like a goalie in soccer or hockey. McNabb is a natural at this position which also puts her in place to attack as well. <h3>Standout Newcomers</h3> I may have seen some of these players over the course of the season, but this weekend I saw how much of an impact they make for their team and what they can potentially come the high school season this coming Fall. Rachael Bohlman - Setter - FC Elite 16 Navy - Green Bay Southwest Bohlman comes in a little under the radar. At 5’10 with a lethal jump serve and attacking ability, Bohlman’s greatest attribute is her athleticism. FC Elite 16 Navy won the National bid at the Badger Region Qualifier, and won all their matches in the Silver bracket on Sunday. Bohlman definitely has the attributes to be a complete 5-1 setter or even swing from the right side. Paige Drezek - Outside Hitter - 414 Milwaukee Elite - DSHA Drezek is one of the key cogs in the up and coming 414 Milwaukee Elite club. Drezek is a six rotation pin that can serve receive to attack going line or cross court to score points. This team has a lot of potential with players who have lots of potential over the next couple of years. Brooklyn Fritz - Outside Hitter - Midwest Penguins - Jefferson Fritz is a solid six rotation outside for MWP. She is a point scorer that aggressively attacks, but can also play solid defense in the back row. Gabby Garcia - Middle Blocker - Revolution 16 Navy - Lake Country Lutheran Garcia has played on the big stage of the state tournament, being part of Lake Country Lutheran’s state championship team this past fall. She is mobile and aggressive in the middle for up and coming club, Revolution, out of Waukesha. Revolution closed out their weekend with a tight three set win over Midwest Penguins. Madi Hintz - OH/RS - Wisconsin Ice - Stevens Point Pacelli Hintz is strong, physical, and athletic that can play on either pin. Wisconsin Ice has a very athletic team that can be a little bit of a wild card with the ability to upset some teams. Hintz was a second team all conference selection as a Sophomore this past Fall and will be looking to have a breakout season as a Junior. Katie Hoch - Libero - Midwest Penguins - St. Thomas More Hoch is extremely solid for MWP. A dependable passer and in serve receive, she is able to set up an offense that has middles who can hit shots and an outside in Alli Schwartz who can put a ball away. MWP had some tough losses this past weekend, but four of their six matches went three sets. Josie Salzman - Outside Hitter - Milwaukee Sting 16 Black - Arrowhead Salzman is one of those players who is just going to find a way to beat you. She is gritty and finds a way to score points on the outside. At 5’8, she plays much higher and is aggressive. Salzman made some huge plays against Sting White in the semifinals with some big swings at crucial times. There is no fear in her and once again, the scrappiness she has is something that won’t show up on a stat sheet, but is a huge element to her style of play. Alli Schwartz - Setter - Adversity - Sussex Hamilton Schwartz doesn’t have the size that most setters at the Open level have, but she is able to put a ball on point anywhere. Her Adversity team is able to hit shots, play great defense, and that can’t be done without a setter who can put the ball in position to score. Schwartz is also a solid defender and a high IQ player that definitely puts her teammates in the position to be successful.