Notable Current and Former Prep Standouts To Play At Waupaca Boatride

It’s Waupaca Boatride Weekend!  For those in the volleyball world, this is a little bit rock concert, class reunion, summer camp, and Christmas time all in one.  Volleyball really is a game for all ages and levels and for this weekend at Brighton Acres in Oshkosh, it all comes together at the Waupaca Boatride.  On the Waupaca Boatride website there is a list of teams and participants and there will be some names that jump right out. Besides one of the most decorated men’s players in the United States in Lloy Ball, there will be some top prep players as well as collegiate athletes in attendance. Here are some combos to watch over the weekend.  

For all registered teams visit this website: http://www.waupacaboatride.com/registered_teams.html

Morgan Yenter, Alexis Boling, Mariah Grunze, and Lizzie Binder – 16 and Under Junior Quads

These four athletes just got done playing in the USAV 16 Open Nationals for Milwaukee Sting 16 Gold where they finished in the final eight.  The only Midwest team among California and Texas clubs to finish 5th overall. Yenter, the Oshkosh West Junior to be, will be playing in her backyard.  These four will be one of the top teams in the division with all having the all around game to pass, set, and attack. 

Maddy Weisensel and Bri Korducki – 18 and Under Junior Sand Doubles

Weisensel of Wautoma and Korducki of Watertown will be heading to play at UW-La Crosse together.  All around athletes with an all around game, they will be quite the duo this weekend as well as when they head to La Crosse to continue their strong tradition.  Korducki played for Capital while Wesiensel played for Wisconsin Ice. 

Morgan Thiel and Leah Schlafman – 18 and Under Junior Sand Doubles

Thiel and Schlafman will be representing the Fox Valley with Thiel just graduating from Lourdes Academy in Oshkosh and Schlafman from Neenah.  Both were standouts in their prep careers with Thiel committing to UW-Milwaukee. 

Ellie Sieling and Cassie Sieling – 16 and Under Junior Sand Doubles

Ellie and Cassie Sieling are some of the top sand players in the Twin Cities Metro Area.  They are two of the top players at the 15s age level for Vital Volleyball Club. On the hardcourt, their beach game is very apparent.  They can step in to play any position and are creative with how they can score. They will be Sophomores at Bloomington Jefferson High School this fall. 

Some Familiar Names 

Rylie Vaughn, Jessica Grabowski, and Abby Hamilton – Women’s Open Triples

So many connections going on.  Vaughn and Grabowski played together for Sting in their prep careers along with Hamilton.  Vaughn went to Newman Catholic and won a few state titles while Grabowski made it to the state tournament with Greendale.  The two play together at UW-Milwaukee. Hamilton is returning to play after playing for Division 1, Loyola-Maryland and played her prep career for Hartford Union. Grabowski will also be playing with another Milwaukee teammate in Lauren Spaulding.

The Old WVA Connections 

Mariah Whalen and Hope Werch had big time careers in their prep days at Newman Catholic and Neenah while they played together at Wisconsin Volleyball Academy .  Whalen will be teaming up with former high school teammate in Rylie Vaughn for sand doubles while Werch will be playing triples. Whalen will be heady to Cal-Poly to play beach next season.  Some other former WVA connections are Jon Ellman and Rocky Koenig who both coached at WVA and are now at UW-Oshkosh with Ellman being the head coach and Koenig as assistant. They will be competing in Mens Triples.