Champlin Park Takes Wisconsin Badger Team Camp Title

Champlin Park made a major statement at the Wisconsin Badger Team Camp held July 14-16 on the University of Wisconsin Campus in Madison.  

The Rebels came out on top in the 50 team field defeating Omaha Duchense, a top team in Nebraska for the title Sunday afternoon after defeating Howards Grove (WI), Barrington (IL), Resurrection College Prep (IL), and Omaha Duchense (NE) in the final.  All matches were one set played to 25 or a time limit of 25 minutes.

This was the debut for Lauren Clark, the Penn State recruit to be wearing the navy for Champlin Park and her impact was made immediately.  Clark was high flying, hitting sharp cross court with ball bouncing straight up from the ten foot line. After watching Simone Lee, Penn State All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year, play in high school for Menomonee Falls (WI), I couldn’t help but see flashes of that in Lauren Clark.  Her composure, demeanor, and a quick flash of a smile is going to be such a great combination with the rest of her team.

Izzy Ashburn was able to play at her future home, as the future Wisconsin recruit was able to put on a show with her setting skills.  Her athleticism is unbelievable with quickness that allows her to get her hands on every ball and put her hitters in the right position to terminate.  Ashburn is extremely physical in the front row and has a knack for knowing the right time to attack. The enthusiasm and energy she plays with is infectious to the rest of her team.  The body language she portrays on the court is exactly what you want in your setter and team leader.

Champlin Park will have four division one players committed in Clark, Ashburn, outside hitter Emma Schmidt (UNI), and libero Kaitlyn Weimerskirch (Illinois State), but a major “X Factor” for the Rebels this season will be Junior Sami Hilley, Yes, Hilley is the younger sister of current Wisconsin Badger setter, Sydney Hilley, but plays a completely different style being an aggressive attack out of the middle.  At 5’11, Hilley may not be your protypical middle, but her athleticism and ability to score points puts her above others in her class. Whether she is going for a quick in the middle or scoring off a one foot approach, she paints corners. Plenty of times the defense wouldn’t even get a touch on her swing because she is that efficient at seeing the open spot on the court.

With plenty of experience and talent Champlin Park will be a heavy favorite this year to win the Class AAA state title.  After being shocked in the quarterfinals by Moorhead in 2017 there is plenty of fuel for the fire to claim that state title.