Rankings Update: 2019 Athletes On The Rise

The time is now, these athletes will be heading into their Senior year for one last time.  For some they will be chasing a conference title, state tournament appearance, and state championship.  Others might be pursuing a an athletic scholarship at the next level. Senior year is a time of many lasts, but at the same time plenty of doors and opportunities will come about as well.  Prep Dig Wisconsin has been compiling notes throughout tournaments all Spring. This summer we will be keeping an eye on summer leagues and team camps across the state. Here is a list of athletes who have committed and some who are still looking a place to land once their college career has finished.

*Full rankings will be published end of July/early August.

Ashley Guenveur – Outside Hitter – Milwaukee Sting 17 Gold – Menomonee Falls

Committed To Troy

Guenveur’s game has evolved and taken a turn to an elite level playing for Sting 17 Gold.  This team had a strong finish last year at the 16s level with a final four finish at AAU’s in Orlando.  Guenveur has always been a strong player for Sting and Falls, but here game is on the rise! She is playing with physicality, an aggressiveness at the net, and a major point scoring mentality that has really added to the overall balance of Sting 17 Gold.  Most recently Guenveur was named to the All Tournament Team to the Girls National Junior Classic over Memorial Day. Guenveur is currently in the top 20 of her class, but is making a strong push as a top 10 player.

Grace Mans – Setter – FC Elite 17 Navy – Fort Atkinson

Uncommitted

Mans is a dynamic and athletic setter who can run a 5-1 or 6-2.  With FC Elite 17 Navy already having setter, Caroline Dragani, it provides multiple options for them and their final push for nationals.  Mans is 5’11, can move extremely well and can score at the net. After not playing last year’s high school season, Mans will have her sister Emma, a 6’2 middle blocker who is another athlete on the rise in the Class of 2021 as a middle blocker.

Ari Miller – Middle Blocker – Wisconsin Premier 18 Teal – Kettle Moraine Lutheran

Committed to UW- Milwaukee

After seeing Miller play live a number of times, she is definitely a top 20 player on the rise.  At 6’2, Miller has the athleticism to go with her high touch that makes her such a threat to score, but also a defender that changes the game.  Premier 18 Teal make large strides throughout the season with plenty of players who still have a year left. Miller will be the go to player for Kettle Moraine Lutheran this Fall and will receive a large number of sets for a team who spent most of the 2017 season ranked in the top 5.

Katie Mattson – Middle Blocker/Right Side – Kokoro 17-1 – Luck

Uncommitted

Mattson was a dominant high school player for Luck in Northwest Wisconsin, but she is also a huge point scorer at multiple positions for Kokoro 17-1 out of the Twin Cities, MN.  Mattson is a high flyer and is incredibly dynamic, a swiss army knife of options that can play any front row position. She can score, block, play defense, and absolutely steal at the next level with a high motor.

Jenna Weinfurt – Outside/Right Side – Milwaukee Sting 17 Black – Catholic Memorial

Uncommitted

Furocious approach to the net, a high contact point, and a point scoring machine from either pin.  Weinfurt is explosive and very aggressive for Milwaukee Sting 17 Black. Sting 17 Black is gritty and scrappy and Weinfurt is definitely one who plays that way in every facet of her game.  Catholic Memorial will be looking to reclaim a state title this Fall after falling short in the semifinals which was suppose to be a down year for the Crusaders.

Jennifer O’Keefe – Outside/Right Side – Milwaukee Sting 17 Black – Lake Country Lutheran

Uncommitted

O’Keefe packs quite the power on Sting 17 Black along with Weinfurt on the pin.  The two are interchangeable when it comes to playing on the left or right side. O’Keefe was always option number two behind Brooke Anderson, the state player of the year, for Lake Country Lutheran, but will now be the go to.  The Lightning lost some points to say the least, but have a solid crew coming back with a standard just as high as years before.

Shea Lauria – Libero – Wisconsin Premier 18 Teal – Brookfield East

Uncommitted

Lauria got on the radar at the Showcase in the Wisconsin Dells in February and has been on the rise ever since.  Playing for Premier 18 Teal, Lauria along with Miller are playing up on the 18s and had some solid competition all season long.  Lauria can move extremely well, solid platform, and has all the intangibles of a solid libero at the next level. She will continue to move up on the Class of 2019 rankings in the high school season as well at this rate.

Mazie Nagel – Outside Hitter – Wisconsin Ice 18 National – Stratford

Uncommitted

Nagel is a spark and fire while she plays.  An aggressive approach and swing, Nagel will be looking to get her high school team back to the Resch after a final four appearance in 2017.  Nagel would be a solid small school college outside that would provide added value behind her point scoring ability, her energy and play making ability is something that is not seen on a stat line or player profile.  

Darragh Dixon – Setter – Milwaukee Sting 17 Black – Waukesha West

Uncommitted

Pure Gamer.  Dixon is a 5’10, left handed setter that is savy player who is a very offensive threat.  The Milwaukee Sting 17 White team is full of players who are under the radar, but will be ready for a huge breakout high school season.  Dixon runs the show and makes things happen for her team. Waukesha West will be a team that is on the rise in the Milwaukee area with a solid offseason with plenty of athletes playing club.

2019 Watch List

Claire Bresser – Middle Blocker – Milwaukee Sting 17 White – Waupun

Katelyn Bliesner – Middle Blocker – Milwaukee Sting 17 White – Homestead

Julia Clement – Outside Hitter – Wisconsin Volleyball Academy 17 Red – Shawano

Anna Nerad – Middle Blocker – Milwaukee Sting 17 Black – Waukesha West

Kaleigh Roepke – Outside Hitter – Capital Adidas 17 – Waunakee

Jadyn Holman – Outside Hitter – Wisconsin Performance – Mount Horeb