Youth Of The 2018 Joust
I was able to attend my very first Joust, and it was a blast! It was full of great volleyball and great people! One thing that really stuck out when I went thru my notes after day 1, and then again after…
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Continue ReadingI was able to attend my very first Joust, and it was a blast! It was full of great volleyball and great people! One thing that really stuck out when I went thru my notes after day 1, and then again after day 2, was the impressive presence of youth. The class of 2022 wasn’t just getting some playing time. They were making big plays! There are some real bright futures for these programs!
*Brookfield Central
Morgan Dougherty (6’2 – Middle Blocker – Not Committed) was running a nice slide and smart routes to keep the block on the other side honest. Drawing the block’s attention gave another freshman more opportunity to have a one on one. Mckenna Wucherer Mckenna Wucherer 6'1" | OH Brookfield Central | 2022 State #1 Nation WI (6’1 – Outside Hitter – Committed to Minnesota) comes in flying high from the front or the back row with a strong swing. Wucherer sees the whole court and is so smart with her placement that she can literally put the ball anywhere on the court. She even slices a hard cut in front of the 10-foot line that causes a buzz among the crowd.
*Lake Country Lutheran
Adriana Studer Adriana Studer DS/L Lake Country Lutheran | 2022 State #187 Nation WI (5’7 – Defensive Specialist) could be the libero on just about any other team as one of the best defenders in the 2022 class. Studer’s court experience alone is impressive as a Milwaukee Sting 14 Gold member this past season, as well as participating in the USAV High Performance Girls’ Select A1 National Training Program along with Wucherer. For right now, she provides an additional optional swing from the backrow for the Lightning.
*Burlington
Burlington has strong contributors from every class which shows they won’t be rebuilding for a few years. Their 2022 contributor is Morgan Klein Morgan Klein OH Burlington | 2022 State WI (5’6 – Outside Hitter). Klein may be smaller, but she hits high over the block and has a great line swing going across her body. She uses the tools in her toolset to use the block.
*Kettle Moraine Lutheran
Alyssa Gaeth Alyssa Gaeth 6'0" | RS KML | 2022 State WI (Right Side) is a bit raw but a very effective lefty with a 48% kill percentage. She executes smart tips and a good deep cross corner shot. Gaeth will definitely be one to watch out for as she grows as a player.
*Oconomowoc
Oconomowoc has some serious potential, and a big part of that is Maleah Howe Maleah Howe OH Oconomowoc | 2022 State #190 Nation WI (5’8 – Pin Hitter). Howe has a strong cross body line shot and a heavy swing. She tallied 40 kills at the Joust against some serious competition. Oconomowoc will be able to build with Howe as she is a player that can do just about anything having had experience playing for Milwaukee Sting but also the beach doubles partner of Studer.
*Menomonee Falls
Taylor Larson Taylor Larson 5'6" | OH Menomonee Falls | 2022 State WI (5’6 – Outside Hitter) has a wicked serve that really helps Menomonee Falls take the opposing team out of system. Larson may be smaller, but she is effective with the use of smart shots to work around the block or just simply flexing those muscles and powering through the block.
*Brookfield East
East is in a big rebuild after graduating a large senior squad, but one area in which they are really struggling is with attackers. Paige Platz Paige Platz OH Brookfield East | 2022 State WI (Outside Hitter) is a bright spot in their attack. Platz does a nice job of reaching high and working around the block.
*Appleton North
Brianna Cantrell Brianna Cantrell OH Appleton North | 2022 State #104 Nation WI (5’8 – Pin Hitter) is a terrific 6 rotation outside and a stellar backrow attacker. Cantrell is leading North with 90 kills, and its not surprising with her high reach and ability to work around the block and use the whole court.
*St. Thomas More
More had a couple standouts against the tough Joust competition. One was Emily Glembin (Outside Hitter). Glembin does a nice job of powering through a block. She had a career high 6 kills against Homestead on the first day of the Joust.