JVA Watch List: Class of 2021 Opposites

<p>Every spring JVA releases its Ultra Ankle Watch List. This will be the first of a multi-part series highlighting the Wisconsin athletes that were nominated from JVA Member Clubs. Of these nominations, approximately 20 will be selected by the JVA Awards Committee to be honored on the JVA All-National Team. This award recognizes the Top JVA players in the nation for their accomplishments on the court. </p> <p>Today we will take a look at some of the top Opposites from JVA member clubs. During my playing days and early in my coaching career, opposites were referred to as weak side hitters. These athletes are far from weak and bring a lot of power and skill to their club and high school programs. I like to mentally reference the movie Remember the Titans when Gary and Julius go back and forth saying "Strongside...Left side." These girls showcase why the right side of their attack should be considered the strong side. </p> <p><strong>Jelena Cicic</strong> - Milwaukee Sting 17 White - Maine South (far right in featured image)</p> <p>Jelena makes the hike from Park Ridge, Illinois area to hold down the right side for a very talented Milwaukee Sting 17 White squad. She joins 3 other teammates on the JVA Watch List to go along with 3 others that have committed to play at the next level. At 6'0" she adds to the already long team that has gone on to compete at a very high level to start the 2020 club season. The long drive to play with and against some of the best athletes in the midwest is going to pay off and Jelena will soon be added to the committed column. </p> [caption id="attachment_87116" align="alignright" width="176"]<a href="https://prepdig.com/2020/03/jva-watch-list-class-of-2021-opposites/screenshot-2020-03-25-at-5-27-36-pm/" rel="attachment wp-att-87116"></a> Alyssa Gerzel[/caption] <h6>3rd  Bluegrass in 17 Premier</h6> <h6>7th at St. Louis President's Classic (one win away from gold)</h6> <h6>2nd at the JVA Jamboree (only loss to Sting 16 Gold)</h6> <p>Jelena finished third on her high school team in kills and will be looked at as the offensive leader as the two teammates who finished more will be lost due to graduation. She also stifled opposing outsides with 67 total blocks. She is quick to close the pin and more than capable to be the team's go-to weapon if need be.  </p> <p><strong>Alyssa Gerzel</strong> - [program_tooltip program_id='431479' first='Wisconsin' last='Juniors'] 17's<span class="Apple-converted-space"> - Judson University</span></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="80769" first="Lydia" last="Helle"]</strong> - [program_tooltip program_id='431531' first='Capital' last='Volleyball Academy'] 17 Adidas - Madison Memorial</p> <p><strong>Matti Wafle</strong> - [program_tooltip program_id='431531' first='Capital' last='Volleyball Academy'] 17 Navy - Mauston</p> [caption id="attachment_31145" align="alignleft" width="242"]<a href="https://prepdig.com/gallery/wisconsin-top-250-headshots-newprofilepic/alayna-westenberg_-20211/" rel="attachment wp-att-31145"></a> [player_tooltip player_id="33784" first="Alayna" last="Westenberg"][/caption] <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="33784" first="Alayna" last="Westenberg"]</strong> - [program_tooltip program_id='431531' first='Capital' last='Volleyball Academy'] 17 Adidas - Watertown</p> <p>Alayna is a force on the right side with a heavy hand that isn't afraid to mix up going down the line and going with the flow cross. The difficult part for defenders is when she goes cross, she goes hard cross and catches the right-back defenders on their heels shading the deep corner. Westenburg led her Watertown Gosling team in kills in 2019 with over 300 with a hitting percentage of over 40%. Opposing outsides also have struggles figuring out how to hit past her, as she sets a great block on the pin and is more than capable to go one on one if the middle isn't present. Capital is spoiled when they are able to get Alayna and fellow JVA Watch List nominee Payton in the front row together. But wait...they also have the previously mentioned [player_tooltip player_id="80769" first="Lydia" last="Helle"] as a weapon. </p>