The Wisconsin Pipeline to Loyola

The Northside of Chicago and the Missouri Valley Conference will have a bit of a Wisconsin flavor as Loyola University continues to build a strong pipeline of Wisconsin talent as they look to rebuild under new head coach Amanda Berkley. Berkley is a Wisconsin native, having graduated from Wisconsin-Whitewater and her sister, Susie Johnson, is the head coach at UW-Milwaukee. With strong ties to Wisconsin, and the close proximity of Chicago makes it a natural connection for athletes to travel a bit South to play in one of the top mid major conferences in the country. To start, the Ramblers already have a strong roster of Wisconsin athletes with players from across the state which include: Heather Kocken - Redshirt Junior - De Pere Victoria Hodkiewicz - Sophomore - Badger Quinn Speaker - Junior - Burlington Elle Van Grinsven - Freshman - Wisconsin Lutheran Van Grinsven was named to the MVC All Freshman team in 2017 and lead the team in blocks with 77. The Ramblers will also be getting in transfer Lexi Alden of Catholic Memorial after spending her Freshman year at Maryland. Alden is an outside hitter who won three state titles for the Crusaders. With already a strong nucleus of talent from Wisconsin there are five athletes who have given their verbal commit to play for Loyola from the Class of 2019 and 2020. Class of 2019 Recruits Addison Barnes - Outside Hitter - Neenah - FC Elite Barnes won a state title with the Rockets in 2016 and is already a two time All State selection heading into her Senior year. At 5’11, Barnes has an aggressive approach and violent arm swing. With the ability to adjust flying through the air she can hit the sharp angle or tool the block on down the line (or go for the six pack if the defender doesn’t have her hands up). Barnes could be an instant impact player for the Ramblers in a year with a solid all around game and the ability to shine in big moments. Kasey Bell - Middle Blocker - Sheboygan North - FC Elite Bell brings a strong and physical presence to the net. Plagued by some injuries, Bell is back and ready for a strong Senior year for Sheboygan North. An early commit as a Freshman and a success for FC Elite, Bell has been part of success at the club level and has been part of a program on the rise at North. Her best volleyball is ahead of her and has been playing with Barnes and Kraus on FC Elite the past two years. Kayla Kraus - Libero - Neenah - FC Elite Kraus is entering her 9th year as libero at Neenah. Not really, but if you talk to other coaches in her conference it seems as if she has been there that long due to having an instant impact right away her Freshman year as starting libero. Playing in the state tournament her Freshman and Sophomore year, with a title as a Sophomore, Kraus brings an intensity, grit, and competitive edge that will be so important when establishing a winning culture. Kraus was named player of the year in the FVA in 2017 as a libero and will be the leader heading into 2018 for Neenah who is loaded with a talented group of Seniors. Kraus and Barnes have been teammates for years on the high school and club level. Class of 2020 Emily Bannit - Outside Hitter - River Falls - Kokoro (MN) Bannit has been part of the new Western Wisconsin powerhouse River Falls High School which finished an undefeated 2017 regular season and was the Division 1 runner up. Bannit could play any front row position. A 10 foot approach touch and a state track qualifier, Bannit can help the Ramblers in a variety of ways. She also knows how to win and what it takes to play at a championship level. An honorable mention All State player last year, Bannit will be the go to player, along with Halle Olson for the Panthers who will have some lofty goals heading into the 2018 season. Karlee McNabb - Outside Hitter - Sun Prairie - Capital Volleyball Academy McNabb may be the best all around player in the Class of 2020. An outside hitter who will definitely be a go to player for Sun Prairie this year, she is a shot maker and high IQ offensive player which translates to her defensive game in the back row. There isn’t much that gets by her in middle back with the ability to anticipate, but also score from the back as well. Bannit and McNabb will be great athletes to make an impact with the culture at Loyola with positive body language and an intense style of play.