Wisconsin Class of 2019 Rankings: Committed and Available Athletes On The Rise

With the new rankings for the Class of 2019 being released and updated there are plenty of new names to know.  In the past few months while going to plenty of club tournaments, camps, and summer leagues there are players that just tend to stand out that maybe weren’t on the radar much at the start of the club season.  Here are some that have already committed and those who are definitely available and would be a great catch at the next level.

Committed:

Kayla Lass – Outside Hitter – Stevens Point – Wisconsin Ice

Committed To Green Bay

Lass was barely on the radar at the start of club season, but what a phenomenal all around athlete.  Stevens Point has a senior loaded roster, with Lass being the go to on the pin that can do a little bit of everything on the court.  I got a chance to see Lass go up against some top tier competition at the Badger Team Camp and with her ability to fly high and score points she will be tough to stop this year.  Green Bay definitely found a hidden gem here.

Kaylee Kuecker – Libero – Franklin – Milwaukee Sting

Committed To UW-Parkside

Kuecker is one of those liberos who is everywhere.  She takes pace off the ball and is a high IQ player.  Her play this past club season for Milwaukee Sting 17 Black really kept them in system for a well balanced attack. Kuecker and teammate Brianna Merkel who is a Western Illinois commit will be a solid combination this season in the Southeast Conference.

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

Committed to UW-Milwaukee

Miller was ranked 50th back in February, but after a solid showing for Premier this Spring and tearing up the Badger Team Camp and Prep Dig Summer League at Milwaukee Sting, she has solidified herself as one of the top middles in her class.  Miller’s quickness and hops is what you would expect in all elite middles, but her intangibles as a teammate showing positive body language, giving constant feedback, and playing with such passion is what brings out the best in the others around her.

Mackenzie Kummer – Middle Blocker – Ellsworth – Kokoro (MN)

Committed To Air Force

Kummer just might be one of the best kept secrets in Wisconsin.  The 6’1, powerful, and physical middle hitter from Western Wisconsin plays her club ball for Kokoro out St. Paul, MN.  After seeing Kummer play in the River Falls Summer League, it didn’t take long to see how she stood out in the gym with her powerful style of play.  She will be one of the top small school players in the state and a solid impact at the next level with the ability to play in the middle or right side.

Available Prospects To Note

Shea Lauria – Libero – Brookfield East – Wisconsin Premier

To make a baseball reference, coaches want their libero to be like a shortstop or second basemen.  Make all the routine plays and an outstanding play every once in a while over making an outstanding play and then an error on the routine.  Lauria is so solid, the routine plays she could do in her sleep, on point with serve receive and giving the setter a chance to keep the team in system.  Lauria has drawn interest from Division 1 schools throughout the club season and will be a solid steal at the next level.

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

With the graduation of Brooke Anderson, The Gatorade Player of the Year in Wisconsin now playing at Iowa State, O’Keefe will be the heavy go to for LCL this fall.  This past club season, O’Keefe was able to show her versatility with the ability to play on either pin and score points. LCL may have lost the best player in the state, but with a solid program they just seem to reload with O’Keefe being the leader of the pack.

Elizabeth Shult – Middle Blocker/Pin – Oconomowoc – VC United

Shult was able to play with high school teammate, Tayler Alden, for VC United this past club season at the 18s level, gaining valuable experience against high level competition.  Shult has the physical tools and athleticism to play at a high level with her best volleyball still ahead of her. At 6’3, Shult can run the high tempo and put up a big block. With Oconomowoc’s top hitters being lost to graduation Shult will be the leader in the frontline for the Raccoons.

Darragh Dixon – Setter/Opp – Waukesha West – Milwaukee Sting

Dixon is a gamechanger.  Setting for Sting 17 White and for setting and hitting for Waukesha West, Dixon has proven that she is a player that makes good things happen.  At 5’10 and left handed she scores points on the right side with a powerful swing or high IQ shot while also being able to block. Dixon also has the ability run the show with a powerful offense to distribute to with middles Anna Nerad and Alexis Boling.

Gabby Johnson – Middle Blocker/Pin – Stevens Point – Wisconsin Ice

Extremely athletic!  Johnson may be a bit undersized as a middle, but she can jump with the best of them and her athleticism creates so many points for her team.  A prospect that needs to be on the radar of colleges, she has the tools to be developed into whatever a team needs. A high motor and energy on the court that is contagious the Panthers will be looking for big things this upcoming season.

Sierra Lee – Defensive Specialist/Outside/Setter – Westosha Central – Milwaukee Sting

Based on Lee’s position description it’s obvious to see she can do a little bit of everything.  Lee has drawn interest from high level programs at the collegiate level, but before making the leap to the college game she will be vying for a solid finish to her high school career with a decorated Senior class at Westosha Central.  Lee brings a grit to the court and having all around players who can step in and do whatever it takes is tough to find!