AAU Championships 15s Preview

The 10’s through 14’s age groups, and two 18’s divisions started their journey through the AAU Girls Junior National Championships this morning. The 15’s and 17’s divisions will be landing in Orlando on June 20 and will be starting play on June 21. These teams are likely getting in their last practice or two, making final tweaks on their form and working on team chemistry so they can go into the championships at their best. Now is the time for athletes to hydrate and really focus on their physical and mental health. As these teams prepare to make the trip to Orlando, let's check out the eighteen Badger Region teams who will be competing later this week. Open Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold This team has a lot of grit and can compete at the highest level. They have placed in gold in nearly every tournament including The 2019 Ultra Ankle Blue Grass Tournament, Adidas Girls Pre-Nationals (16’s Division), the JVA World Challenge, and the JVA MKE Jamboree (16 Open). This team is made up of some extremely talented athletes including all of their pin hitters: Maleah Howe (Prep Dig Rank #2), Riley Hamilton (Prep Dig Rank #13), Kara Schmit (Prep Dig Rank #33), and Madelyn Weyda (Prep Dig Rank #23). Maleah has an explosive approach with a powerful swing to match. Riley is a strong hitter but excels on defense. She is also a natural leader and energizer on the court. Kara has a massive vertical and uses it to her advantage, making strong shots across the court. Their setters, Lilly Lutz and Jaclyn Dutkiewicz (Prep Dig Rank #37) are both talented setters. Lilly is fast and makes quick decisions while Jaclyn has strong hands and can push the ball from pin to pin. Libero Adriana Studer (Prep Dig Rank #7) is controlled and a rock for this Sting team in the back row. Premier 414 Milwaukee Elite 15 Elite This team has had some great successes this year including recently winning both the Adidas Sting Pre-Nationals and the Juniors Grand Slam tournaments. This team has a lot of chemistry on the court and it shows. Libero Hadley Strohkirch is a huge asset and makes big plays from the backcourt. Middle blocker Hattie Burke is a key player on this team and can make plays both on offense and defense. Grace Martens, Ashley Habermehl, and Mahlia Lowe are all great pin hitters who make a difference every time they step on the court. Capital 15 Adidas I have had the opportunity to watch this team at several different tournaments. This team is fun to watch. They always work hard, make great plays, and dig deep when they are down. They have a lot of chemistry and also have a lot of fun. I love how fiercely motivated each of them are to play well and build the team up. Their setters Claire Ammeraal (Prep Dig Rank #18) and Jordan Karlen (Prep Dig Rank #29) are each incredibly influential on the court. Claire has great hands and makes fast, smart decisions on the court. Jordan plays with a lot of grit and never gives up on a ball. Both are great setters and complement each other well. Britten Bertagnoli and Maryann Gudenkauf are great in the middle. They put up consistent blocks and are fast in transition. Libero Kimberly Quinn has a lot of speed on her side and uses it to be a scrappy yet controlled player. Milwaukee Sting 15 Black This is a dynamic team with a lot of potential. They are the type of team that is constantly improving and working hard. Katie Gund (Prep Dig Rank #38) is a definite leader on this team and hustles hard during every point of every match. Aerene Lim and Sophie Illman protect the back row. Aerene is more controlled and excels on serve receive whereas Sophie is scrappy and gets a touch on every ball. Brooke Porter (Prep Dig Rank #35) is huge on the right side and one of the go-to hitters for this team. Club 1W 15-1 Capital 15 Navy Capital 15 Navy should do very well in the club division at AAU Nationals. They are a fundamentally strong team and work well together on the court. Lauren Hazelett is a great defender in the back row and has solid form. Setters Allison Mack (Prep Dig Rank #25) and Kathryn Gunderson each have a lot of hustle and make smart plays with the ball. Milwaukee Sting 15 White Sting has a dynamic group of athletes at this age level and their talent runs deep. Lydia Biggin is a talented lefty pin hitter who makes an impact every time she is on the court. Katelyn Duero is a 6 rotation outside hitter who excels on serve receive. Abbie Stigler (Prep Dig Rank #28) also acts as a 6 rotation outside for this team and is aggressive in every rotation, on both offense and defense. Motion Volleyball 15 Blue Next Level VBC 15 Green Royal 15 This Royal team has had a lot of growth this season. I saw them play at the Winter Classic and then the Juniors Grand Slam tournament and it was clear they have been putting in the work the last few months. Libero Lindsey Taylor is a rock in the back row for this team. She is fast and scrappy. Setters Allison Heder and Alexis Scaffido have quickened their game this season and started running a fairly fast offense. WI Juniors 15-1 Aspire 1W 15 National RVA G15 Navy This is a fun team to watch play because they get excited after every point and are always working to better the ball. Sierra Studer is a powerful outside who is smart at the net and utilizes tips and well-placed roll shots to increase the tempo of the game. Hannah Dewhurst is a setter with soft hands who talks a lot and also has a very powerful serve. WI Juniors 15 Elite Classic Adversity Wisconsin 15-1 Capital 15 Red Motion Volleyball 15 Green WI Juniors 15 National It will be fun to follow these Badger Region teams as they compete at Nationals. As teams wrap up their seasons they will be working hard to bring home some wins down in Orlando!