New 2023 Wisconsin Prospects Emerging From The Prep Dig Gauntlet
For some clubs, the Prep Dig Gauntlet was the final chance to get on the court with their club teams before preparation for the high school season is in full swing. Others are hoping to build momentum going into nationals. Over the course of the 2-day tournament, there were numerous standouts that are definitely going to be making a strong case for a spot on a varsity roster in a few months. Their freshman season is their first chance to really be seen as a true college prospect and some of these players definitely are.
New Players To Know:
Addison SchmotzerAddison Schmotzer – Middle Blocker – Capital 14 Adidas
Take one look and you can tell Schmotzer is a volleyball player. This kid has some height and is really growing into her game. I am excited to see how she develops in the next year or two. Schmotzer already takes a nice swing, does a nice job working angles, and puts up a solid block.
Ava Clinton-Ragonese – Setter – Midwest Penguins 14 Black
Clinton-Rangonese was a real key for the Penguins on their way to a 3rd place finish on Sunday after facing a tough power pool on Saturday. She showed off her quick feet with great footwork and scrappy defense. Clinton-Ragonese runs a nice quick tempo ball and gave her hitters a lot of great opportunities to terminate. She moved the ball along the net to run a balanced attack that featured the likes of Maddy McGath, Samantha Fisch, and Myla Glaser in the middle and fueled by a solid first contact by libero, Olivia Clinton-Rangonese.
#11 Ella DemetricianElla Demetrician – 2024 – Outside Hitter – FC Elite 14 Navy
Demitrician is a young, impressive six-rotation outside hitter. She was scoring points on the pin, as well as from the middle, when running a stack or working out of serve-receive. Demetrician can pound the line, hit a hard cross court, and sees the block well to work around it. FC Elite is a serious threat with multiple weapons.
Ellie Gustafson – Outside Hitter – Capital 14 Adidas
Gustafson is a smooth operator in all 6 rotations. She elevates and can take a high out-of-system ball and crush it. Gustafson also has a fast swing to cut the ball away, as well as being very strong in serve-receive.
#16 Eva JohnsonEva Johnson – Outside Hitter – One Wisconsin 14-1
Johnson is a really solid all-around player with a high contact and topspin to find the 1 corner. She has the superpower of getting the high tight outside set back into play or hitting the line. Johnson and Marissa Corso are quite the 1-2 punch for One Wisconsin and are extremely effective because they have different styles. Corso attacks the angles with an aggressive approach.
Karissa FortuneKarissa Fortune – Outside Hitter – FC Elite 14 Navy
Fortune was another pin who was able to put the ball away. She takes a strong approach and finds the edge of the block with a nice high contact. Fortune defended her net, as well as put a topspin on the ball to find the deep cross corner or paint the line. Greta Wise (Right Side Hitter) also caused opposing hitters quite a few issues by setting a strong block.
Kendra WinkerKendra Winker – Outside Hitter – V-Hawk Xtreme 14 Adidas
Winker finds a way to sting the line and the deep corner with a high contact and snap of the wrist. She also plays with a high volleyball IQ and it shows as she uses smart tips and deep pushes at just the right times.
Maddy McGath – Middle Blocker – Midwest Penguins 14 Black
McGath is dynamic out of the middle for the penguins. She gets from pin to pin to close the block and can run just about anything on offense to get the job done. McGath has a high contact and fast arm swing to hit over the block or pound a tight set. She is versatile enough to hit a cross body shot, run a nice 3 route, or hit the sharp angles. As a blocker, McGath has a solid press and seal. She is a definite force at the net and should be an immediate impact player for Brookfield East.
#28 Mya TrafficanteMya Trafficante – Pin Hitter – Midwest Penguins 14 Black
Trafficante was a spark at the pin and fun to watch as a smaller hitter up against some pretty big blocks. She presented a fast swing and the ability to score points by using the blockers’ hands or taking a little power off and dropping it right in front of defenders. Trafficante was a big point scorer going for the deep line shot and a strong defender, reading well and controlling digs.
Rachel Koss – Setter – FC Elite 14 Navy
Koss has great hands and excellent placement. She is quick to the ball with great footwork, and she moves the ball well to utilize every zone. Koss is also a scrappy defender. She should be fun to see as she joins the Freedom team in the fall.
#10 Sydney BartelsSydney Bartels – Middle Blocker – FC Elite 14 Navy
Bartels has athleticism, and she shows it on both offense and defense. She can run a nice slide route, and when the timing is on, it is lethal, as well as when she runs a GAP route. Bartels also sees the block well and works the edges with a fast arm swing and well-placed tips. When she gets behind the service line, she is still working the sidelines.