Top Available Outsides In The Class of 2020

Ring Ring!  That Junior year is calling.  Ok, that’s pretty old school considering hardly anyone calls people anymore, but the Junior year is now REALLY important for colleges and high school athletes.  The start of the Junior year marks where communication is a little more open and athletes can take an official visit to campus as compared to old rules when they could not take an official visit until their Senior year.  These Juniors are on the radar of plenty of solid collegiate programs, but you never know when a program will come in late and be the perfect fit. We will be taking a look at each position starting with the outsides, featuring top available players along with some hidden gems.

Julia Treichel – Wisconsin Lutheran – Motion (MVP) 

Treichel plays like she’s on fire!  Intensity and passion in every play.  A gritty and scrappy outside that is lethal in all six rotations was high on the radar from the get go.  Treichel and Wisconsin Lutheran will be an early season favorite in Division 2.

Courtney Pearson – Kimberly – Wisconsin Volleyball Academy 

Pearson has come on strong in the past year, starting with a state tournament appearance for Kimberly and then playing for the Badger Region High Performance team this past summer.  With the ability to play on either pin, Pearson can put up a big block or hit a sharp corner.

Marissa Klemann – La Crosse Logan – V-Hawk Xtreme 

One of Wisconsin’s best kept secrets, but for how long?  Klemann is 6’2 and extremely physical. Klemann played on the V-Hawk 18 National team this past club season and has the ability to play on the pin as well.  A solid mid major D1, D2 pick up that has yet to see her best volleyball. Will be exciting to see her progression as she develops a backcourt game.

Olivia Dir – Union Grove – Wisconsin Juniors 

Wisconsin Juniors was a team that snuck up on a lot of people this past club season going toe to toe with some of the top clubs in the nation in open play.  Dir is a six rotation outside that can do a little bit of everything. She will team up with fellow club teammate Karlee Lois on the high school court to make a lethal combination.

Sarah Schrader – Sussex Hamilton – Milwaukee Sting

Sussex Hamilton definitely has some tools in place this year to make a run in the Milwaukee area.  Schrader is a six rotation, solid outside hitter that could see the court as an outside or even a libero at the college level.  Cool, calm, and collected Schrader plays with body language and composure where she is so effective and efficient.

Halle Olson – River Falls – Kokoro

Olson is ready for a breakout year in her soon to be Junior year at River Falls.  After starting on the River Falls state runner-up team a year ago, earning Honorable Mention All State honors, Olson is on track for that and more.  

Maddie Haines – Indian Trail – Wisconsin Juniors

Haines is the prototypical outside with a high reach and dynamite swing that can score points in a hurry.  With a background on the beach, Haines has an all around game that can help her team in the backcourt as well.  Haines was able to play on the USA High Performance team this past summer.

Jacqueline Smith – Northland Pines – Wisconsin Ice

Smith was an All State player in 2017 as a Sophomore at Northland Pines and a standout outside hitter for Wisconsin Ice 16s this past club season.  Smith has an all around game that is far from hitting her full potential. A hidden gem in the North woods, Smith has the tools to develop in the top player in the state over the course of the next two years.

Emily Bruckshen – Howards Grove – FC Elite

Howards Grove is back and Bruckshen is the number one go to hitter for the Tigers who will be looking to get back to the Resch after a break last year.  Always one of the top Division 3 teams in the state, Bruckshen has the power and shot selection to score points from a variety of front row positions and use the block to her advantage.  At just over six foot, she is one who is an All State type player who will be one of the best on the lakeshore.

Katie DiRaimondo – Manitowoc Lincoln – FC Elite

DiRaimondo teamed up with Bruckshen this past club season to make quite the 1-2 punch for FC Elite.  DiRaimondo has the height, reach, power, and athleticism along with a developing backcourt game that will make her tough to stop in the FRCC.  She will be one of the top outsides in a conference that is loaded with elite hitters.

Erin Powers – Mukwonago – Milwaukee Sting

Powers has a future in college as an outside hitter or libero.  A gritty player and defender, Powers has a high volleyball IQ and just finds a way to get it done.  She will be teaming with fellow outside hitter, Alayna Jansky at Mukwonago to make a return trip to the Resch Center this Fall.