Class of 2023 Names Making An Impact To Finish February
The Class of 2023, still seems like that year is a far off time that we’ll never approach, but no – it’s the Freshman class that is already starting to make waves this club season. Plenty of top athletes from…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Class of 2023, still seems like that year is a far off time that we’ll never approach, but no – it’s the Freshman class that is already starting to make waves this club season. Plenty of top athletes from multiple states who will be household names by the end of their careers. This weekend was a great chance to see some of 2023’s at the Showcase in the Dells and the Badger Region Qualifier. Here are just a few who jumped on to the radar and will continue to make a presence this club season.
Kati Goba – Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold (Title Photo)
I saw Goba at Triple Crown and was able to see more matches this past weekend at the Badger Region Qualifier. She’s under control, has a nice platform, and makes all the routine plays as a libero for Sting 15 Gold. This team definitely has a lot of balance and firepower, but with a consistent first contact out of serve receive from the likes of Goba, they definitely are tough to stop when they are in system.
Grace Egan – Fusion 17 Red
Egan is playing two age levels up on the Fusion 17 Red squad that took home the title this past weekend from the Showcase in the Dells. Egan is a high flying outside hitter who will be fun to watch over her career with her ability to sky high and score points. Playing against solid competition and also training and practicing year round with her high school and club teammates Lexi Rodriguez, Bree Borum, and Brooklyn Borum Brooklyn Borum 6'0" | OH Sterling | 2021 State IL out of Sterling, IL will also add to her development as a top player.
Grace Egan on the pin for @ClubFusionVB 17 Red – flying super high….oh and she is a 2023 pic.twitter.com/kh6j3Ytwhr
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) February 28, 2020
Abby Banitt – Kokoro 15-1
The Banitt name is definitely familiar for Kokoro and River Falls volleyball with Elise Banitt Elise Banitt 5'6" | OH/DS River Falls | 2018 State WI and Emily Banitt Emily Banitt 5'9" | OH River Falls | 2020 State WI being standouts for the Wildcats as big-time outside hitters, but Abby Banitt, the younger sister to those two has found her spot as a libero for Kokoro 15-1. A ton of athleticism, Banitt brings a physicality out of the backrow that isn’t always found at the 15s level. Kokoro 15-1 has plenty of athleticism across the board and found themselves in the top ten of the Showcase.
Zoe Behrendt Zoe Behrendt 5'11" | S Whitefish Bay | 2023 State #113 Nation WI – Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold
Billstrand
Behrendt is the real deal as a setter, but if you look at her high school stats they scream outside hitter. That’s just the type of athlete and all around player Behrendt is. As a setter for Sting 15 Gold, she just knows how to get it done with running a balanced offense and when to really push the tempo. Sting 15 Gold won the 15s division, earning a National bid, but this squad will be looking for more entering Qualifier season, chasing an Open bid when they compete at MEQ, Windy City, and Northern Lights.
Asha Billstrand – VC United 151 Elite
I managed to get a picture of Billstrand going up for an attack that looked a little photoshopped. Her chin is above the net and she’s under six feet tall. When Billstrand attacks out of the middle, she is able to sky and see what spot of the court to attack. She connects well with setter Kylie Schulze and is a big time presence along the net for VC United .
Brianna Brathol – Kokoro 15-1
Brathol is the high flying spark on the outside that every team needs. She has an aggressive approach and no fear when it comes to her attacking and provides a solid backcourt game as well. The match between VC United 151 and Kokoro 15-1 was quite a battle, and one of the best matches I saw all weekend. Back and forth, aggressive play, and athletes who weren’t afraid to go for the big shot. Brathol is dynamic where she has plenty of opportunities to contribute to any team she is on.
Lot energy here in the 15s power pool between @Kokorovb and @wearevcunited – Kokoro trying hold on to a set two lead. Up 24-21 pic.twitter.com/qR90lPCPj3
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) February 28, 2020
Lily Barry Lily Barry DS/L Hartsburg-Emden | 2022 IL – Illini Elite 16 Cardinal
Barry plays a year up from her graduating class on the Illini Elite 16 Cardinal squad, which this class at Illini Elite is extremely deep. Barry is much like Brathol where she is so scrappy in all rotations, but when she is on the pin she attacks with such ferocity she puts a hurt on the ball. All of these athletes in the Class of 2023 listed are well trained and definitely resemblance of their club’s elite training where Barry is the type of prospect who will be able to contribute at the next level in multiple ways.
Bella Lipski – Milwaukee Sting 15 Black
Lipski is a really athletic and physical frontline player who can contribute on the rightside. She can set a big block, but also has a loose, booming arm that split a block or find an open spot in the corner. She was extremely key in the Sting 15 Black win over FC Elite . The balance of 15 Black will be extremely important as they will have some big weekends coming up with MEQ, Badger Region Championships, and JVA World Challenge in the next month.
It’s going to be this kind of match between @stingvb1988 15 Gold and 15 Black to win the @BadgerRegionVB title pic.twitter.com/m8EzboIwkk
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) March 1, 2020
Other 2023 Impact Players This Past Weekend (Seen Live)
Sylvie Zgonc Sylvie Zgonc 5'11" | OH Sussex Hamilton | 2023 State #115 Nation WI – Sting 15 Black
Maddy McGath Maddy McGath MB Brookfield East | 2023 State WI – Sting 15 Black
Morgan Kealy – Kokoro 15-1
Jaeda Lockhart – Kokoro 15-1
Kyra Klumb Kyra Klumb 5'10" | MB Whitnall | 2023 State WI – Sting 15 Gold
Grace Grocholski – Sting 15 Gold
Marissa Corso – FC Elite 15 Navy
Kindyl Kilar Kindyl Kilar 5'10" | OH Whitewater | 2023 State WI – Sting 15 Gold
Lily Wagner Lily Wagner 5'11" | OH Germantown | 2023 State #118 Nation WI – Sting 15 Gold
Huge swings for the @wearevcunited 151 Elite team with Lucy Arndt and Abby Schuleter – super dynamic team here. pic.twitter.com/LNtj7369CW
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) February 28, 2020
Abi Schlueter – VC United 151
Lucy Arndt – VC United 151
Molly Berezowitz – Sting 15 Black