Western Wisconsin Hidden Gems Part 1

Chris Fitzgerald August 29, 2018 @ 11:58 AM

The Menomonie Sprawl and UW-Stout is always a solid tournament to kick off the season in Western Wisconsin. With teams from Division 1 to Division 4 it brings in a multitude of talent with players who are going to be playing at the next level for Division 1 schools, but more than plenty of players who can play at the Division 2 and Division 3 level. Watching the Gold and Silver Brackets this past Saturday there was a large list of players who caught my eye that I have not yet seen play live before this past weekend. Here are just a few from Western Wisconsin to take a look at. Paige Brandenburg - Senior - Outside Hitter - Wausau West Brandenburg plays like the Senior that she is with solid body language, high IQ shots, and always seems to come up with the big point that is needed. A member of Wisconsin Ice during the club season, Brandenburg is definitely college material with her selection of shots and her ability to play six rotations. Extremely athletic, she will be a huge key for the success of West this year. Robyn Kirsch - Sophomore - Outside Hitter - Wausau West When Brandenburg goes to the backrow, Sophomore Robyn Kirsch comes to the front. Kirsch has quite the approach and aggressive style. She gets all 5’6 of her into the swing and is a pure point scorer. Only a Sophomore, Kirsch plays high and is also a lethal threat out of the backrow. Kameri Meredith - Junior - All Around - Colfax Meredith is definitely on the radar across the state in the Class of 2020. After earning All State honors in 2017, she is primed for solid season for herself as well as her team who will be vying for some late postseason noise. Merideth is a solid all around player who can do a little bit of everything. Shay Wassman - Sophomore - Middle Blocker - Hudson Wassman is really springy and had a really solid connection with setter Nicole Kiltie. Hudson is on the upswing with a really solid Sophomore class and all around athletes. Samantha Pretasky - Junior - Middle Blocker - Colfax Pretasky has major hops. Out of the middle she is an offensive and defensive threat for Colfax who finished in the top four of the Menomonie Sprawl. If Colfax can stay in system, and get Pretasky going they will be tough to stop with multiple offensive weapons. Tienna Gruber - Junior - Outside Hitter - River Valley It doesn’t take long to see that Gruber is one of the top athletes on the court. At 5’10, the outside hitter is very raw, but has the physicality and athleticism to take over a game. River Valley has potential to make a run in their conference. Jaedyn Bussewitz - Senior - Outside Hitter - Clayton It’s no secret that Clayton prides itself in gritty defense and clean volleyball. Bussewitz just does that. On the pin she finds the open spot. She can hit a roll over the block where the defense isn’t or can slam it down the line in the deep corner. Clayton has Selena Levendoski in the middle, but Bussewitz can give major fits to the defense. Olivia Laube - Junior - Setter - Eau Claire North EC North has plenty of athletes and setter Olivia Laube definitely looks and plays the part of a setter who can command the team, make the play, and do what it takes to get done. The Huskies will have played River Falls twice in a couple weeks to start the season which is no easy task. They were able to knock off Wausau West in the Gold Quarterfinals of the Sprawl. Laube will be one of the leaders and with her all around game, being involved in every play and looking for a strong season for North.