Wisconsin Athletes Finding Success In Out of State Clubs
Wisconsin has plenty of club opportunities provided through the Badger Region and other youth programs. However, for some athletes it may be closer to go out of state, or the competition just might be a better fit. For the athletes…
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Continue ReadingWisconsin has plenty of club opportunities provided through the Badger Region and other youth programs. However, for some athletes it may be closer to go out of state, or the competition just might be a better fit. For the athletes in Western Wisconsin, they have benefited greatly from the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota clubs where athletes in Southern Wisconsin may be a little closer to clubs in Northern Illinois and even in Southwest Wisconsin there is access to clubs in Iowa as well. Who are some of the athletes finding their way outside the Wisconsin border for club volleyball?
The Twin Cities Connection
Athletes from Western Wisconsin have greatly benefited from the clubs in the Twin Cities. There are some on the Eastern side of the state who might
Anna Wolf, far left with Izzy Ashburn (Wisconsin commit) and Emma Schmidt (Northern Iowa commit)look at River Falls High School and think, “Where do these athletes come from? Who do they play for in the winter?” A couple places a short drive away.
Kokoro – Kokoro in St. Paul has been one of the biggest clubs to benefit the Wisconsin athletes. A 30 minute drive from River Falls to St. Paul, these athletes are able to play against top level competition from Minnesota. Seniors to be Emily Bannit and Maddi Kealy for River Falls have been key components of the Kokoro 17-1 team while Brynn Johnson and Maddie Morrow are on the 16-2’s team and Haley Graetz and Dani Lien on the 15-1 team. All these athletes play for River Falls and that’s great reason as to why they are one of the top programs in the state. And wait – there’s more.
MN Select – Halle Olson has been a key member of MN Select’s 17-1 team who is always one of the top teams in the region. Anna Wolf, a 2021 middle blocker and Minnesota commit recently wrapped up her club season playing up on the MN Select 18-1 team that finished in the top eight of 18 Open at USAV Nationals. Olson will be a Senior at River Falls, while Wolf will be a Junior. Other members of the MN Select 18-1 team from Wisconsin are Mackenzie Kummer from Ellsworth and is committed to Air Force and Katie Mattson of Luck and is committed to Concordia-St. Paul, both are from the Class of 2019.
Illinois
VC United out of Rockford, Illinois has been a huge beneficiary to Wisconsin talent, especially from Oconomowoc High School. This past year Elle Schult, a Western Illinois commit, wrapped up her club career with a runner-up finish in the National Division of USAV National Championships. At the 17s level, Tayler Alden and Ashley Sharkus have been playing together in preparation for their Senior year at Ocon. Alden has committed to Northern Iowa while Sharkus will be heading to Eastern Illinois.
Sky High out of Crystal Lake has been a great program for Wisconsin kids as well, with a couple Westosha Central athletes in Sierra Lee and Kennedy Muff who will be graduating this spring. Sam Naber, a Marquette recruit from Burlington has been playing with Sky High 16 Black which has been one of the top teams in the region.
Meanwhile In Iowa
Sydney Beasley is a major sleeper in the Class of 2021 popping up on the radar this club season for Iowa Rockets as a 6’1 right side who will be a big time force for Darlington High School in Wisconsin for her Junior year. Milla Malik of Waunakee High School and Buffalo commit was at one point part of Iowa Rockets while living in Galena, Illinois.