20 Athletes, All 2024 From Great Lakes and Badger Regions

A double dose of volleyball this weekend was perfect to cap off February and get a taste of March Madness with two big events with the Great Lakes Region and Badger Region hosting their Region Qualifiers with the 15s getting their first chance to punch their ticket to Vegas. These athletes, where most will graduate in the Class of 2024 definitely made a statement as far as what to expect for the rest of the club season and what could be a glimpse as some big time prospect when these athletes start the recruiting process. Here are 20 names to know from the Class of 2024 this weekend. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> More names to know entering the third round of matches: Camille Morrison - <a href="https://x.com/ClubFusionVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ClubFusionVB</a> Alayna Pierce - <a href="https://x.com/ClubFusionVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ClubFusionVB</a> Lydia Busker - <a href="https://x.com/1stAllianceVBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@1stAllianceVBC</a> Kaitlyn Dumpit - <a href="https://x.com/ClubFusionVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ClubFusionVB</a> Jaimie Marquardt - <a href="https://x.com/SkyHighVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SkyHighVB</a> <a href="https://t.co/cmXbJKGD5R">pic.x.com/cmXbJKGD5R</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1365740033265831940?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Alayna Pierce - Fusion 15 Red (GL) Pierce is a six rotation outside who is everywhere. She moves extremely well across the court and is a big time point scorer whether its with a powerful swing, a roll over the block, and can always be an outlet out of the backrow for Fusion to attack. If there was ever a time where Fusion was in a drought, Pierce would find a way to spark a rally with a consistent first contact in serve receive or scoring a point from multiple spots.   [player_tooltip player_id="122468" first="Rylea" last="Alvin"] - Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold (Badger) Alvin spent last weekend playing to go to the state basketball tournament as she was a key post player for Randolph High School who was a time five basketball team all season. This weekend, she switched sports and made a big presence as a middle blocker for Sting 15 Gold. A really strong and physical athlete who moves well from pin to pin, is someone who is a multi-sport standout and showing promise as a Freshman. <img class=" wp-image-117147 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/11/Emma-Nilson-300x180.jpg" alt="" width="460" height="276" /> [player_tooltip player_id="122527" first="Emma" last="Nilson"] - FC Elite 15 Navy (Badger) Nilson has continued to improve throughout the season and is becoming a force in the middle with her blocking and attacking. She can hit the ball square and is a high IQ player who knows where to be at the right time. She had a big task hoping to contain the powerful Sting 15 Gold middle blocking trio, but she definitely hung with some top players in the region as FC Elite 15 Navy took home the National bid and the Region title. <img class=" wp-image-134403 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/03/DSC05671.jpg" alt="" width="435" height="290" /> Grace Nelson - Lions 15-1 (GL) Nelson was one of the top athletes I saw all weekend. At nearly 6'0 tall, Nelson is a six rotation outside hitter who can score from anywhere on the court. What separates Lions 15-1 from the rest of the pack is their length, ball control, and quick tempo where anyone can put the ball on the floor. Nelson can hit some crazy angles on either pin. She can go sharp cross from the left or right side and just has a loose arm where she is always ready to put a big swing on the ball. <img class=" wp-image-134404 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/03/DSC05688.jpg" alt="" width="419" height="279" /> Kate Trella - MOD 15 Elite 15 Blue (GL) I'm really excited for the potential of Trella as a long, athletic right side attacker. She was a key player for MOD 15 Elite 15 Blue who finished 11th overall in the 15s Division. Trella can put up a big block and can score points with her left handed swing where she has a very high contact point. With her leaping ability as well as her length, her ceiling is incredibly high for her future.   Madison Hunt - EC Slam 15 Premier (Badger) EC Slam is out of Eau Claire, WI which is in Western Wisconsin, a relatively new name to the Badger Region Qualifier scene, but this team took the tournament by storm with some really strong athletes. Throughout the weekend I'll write down notes and numbers and I actually wrote down #7 from EC Slam a couple of times because she continued to have an impact as an attacker. A fun athlete to watch where this collective group at EC Slam will be sure to have an impact in Western Wisconsin volleyball.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Wave 1 of the <a href="https://x.com/GLRVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GLRVB</a> 15s has finished. Top players today (which there were many) Ava Pratt - <a href="https://x.com/[program_tooltip program_id='431567' first='Adversity' last='']_vbc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@[program_tooltip program_id='431567' first='Adversity' last='']_vbc</a> Lauren Salata - <a href="https://x.com/1stAllianceVBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@1stAllianceVBC</a> Lions 15 Red Jenna Meitzler - <a href="https://x.com/SkyHighVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SkyHighVB</a> Grace Nelson - <a href="https://x.com/1stAllianceVBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@1stAllianceVBC</a> Lions 15-1 Ellie White - <a href="https://x.com/1stAllianceVBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@1stAllianceVBC</a> Lions 15-1 — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1365704167730405378?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Ava Pratt - [program_tooltip program_id='431567' first='Adversity' last=''] 15 Adidas (GL) [program_tooltip program_id='431567' first='Adversity' last=''] came in as the number nine seed and it didn't take long for them to make a statement showing they were planning to better their seed and then some, finishing second overall and punching their ticket to Vegas with a national bid. Pratt is an outside who has a very heavy swing. She is able to power through the split and puts plenty of pace on the ball where if they do get a touch, its tough to put it back in system. With her versatility, she was able to be a sideout machine with her ability to come through the middle or right side out of serve receive to put a stop to any run.   Avri Solik-Fifarek - Milwaukee Sting 15 Black (Badger) An electric outside hitter, Solik Fifarek is another one of those pins who just looks smooth and natural when she approaches her attack. She's relaxed, a great jumper and isn't afraid to take a big swing. She was key for Sting 15 Black who finished 3rd overall and put themselves in a great position to earn a bid through the trickle down process that will start with national qualifiers heating up in the next couple of weeks.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Makayla Weissenberg might be one of the top right sides in Illinois from 2024. Huge left handed swing and is crushing it from right back. Love six rotation right sides. <a href="https://x.com/SkyHighVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SkyHighVB</a> 15-1 NS playing with a ton of tempo and energy — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1365715486332321793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Makayla Weissenberg - [program_tooltip program_id='432009' first='Sky' last='High'] 15-1 NS (GL) Weissenberg might be the top right side I saw out of this class over the weekend with her ability to hit a really heavy ball from the right side as well as out of right back. Yes, a six rotation right side attacker who can play all the way around. She is an athlete and puts a ton of pace of the ball where it is sizzling when it crosses the net. Her skill set makes her so tough to defend with how she can score points in multiple ways for [program_tooltip program_id='432009' first='Sky' last='High'] 15-1 NS who finished 5th.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Gabrielle Wire with a big swing and kill for <a href="https://x.com/MissionVb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MissionVb</a> - this squad is off to a strong start <a href="https://t.co/Ok39C3WYD5">pic.x.com/Ok39C3WYD5</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1365725661256646656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Gabrielle Wire - Mission 15 Elite (GL) Another outside hitter where I just wrote “Electric”. Wire is a big time leaper and is so active on the court where the offense flows through her whether shes passing or attacking. She is an outlet out of system and is always an option out of the backrow. Mission was a fun team to watch where they have plenty of athletes who can play a variety of positions. Another two athletes to know who can attack are Maggie Uhwat and Alivia Keegan. <img class="size-medium wp-image-117051 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/11/Isabelle-Shea-2-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> Isabelle Shea - FC Elite 15 White FC Elite has a full lineup of liberos throughout the club that are extremely fundamentally sound and can put a pass on point to keep their side in system. Shea is the libero for FC Elite 15 White who finished 4th overall in the 15s Division. This team has a lot of solid athletes who can contribute in a variety of ways which starts will Shea keeping them in system. <img class=" wp-image-134406 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/03/DSC05778.jpg" alt="" width="462" height="308" /> Eva Everett - Epic United 15 Elite (GL) I really enjoyed watching Everett in middle back as a libero just swallow everything up and keep it going to the setter in system. She has a relaxed platform and body language where she is very efficient with every movement. This is Epic in general where they keep the ball alive and just scrap out multiple points.   Ava Kharitou - Milwaukee Sting 15 White (Badger) Consistent energy, Sting 15 White was one of those teams who would just continue fighting no matter who they were playing or what the score showed. Kharitou showed that energy and spark as a setter for this team where she could hit all the tempos and could ever sneak in an attack here and there. <img class=" wp-image-134407 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/03/DSC05828-e1614721274485-247x300.jpg" alt="" width="308" height="373" /> Kiera King - Ultimate Asics 15 Gold (GL) King is another left handed setter who was sneaky good this weekend. Watching their match Saturday morning she was active, getting her hands to the ball, hitting all of her tempos, but the all of sudden she went to jump set and dumped it behind her head to zone four which I definitely did not see coming. There are some setters as soon as they release you know they are going to be offensive, which was not the case for King, she was super smooth and solid being a key piece to their top ten finish.   Jessica Kurpeikis - Michio 15 National (GL) Kurpeikis is definitely someone the other side of the net has to always be aware of. A solid block on the right side and another one of those players with a heavy swing with the left hand. She is strong, long, and tall and someone who can cause plenty of problems for her opponents. Michio has a strong team of athletes where they can really spread the net with strong pins of both ends. <img class=" wp-image-134408 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/03/DSC05951.jpg" alt="" width="692" height="461" /> [player_tooltip player_id="122566" first="Emerson" last="Van Lannen"] and [player_tooltip player_id="122502" first="Bryn" last="Janke"] - FC Elite 15 White (Badger) FC Elite 16 White runs a 6-2 where Van Lannen and Janke will set and play right side. They are always on the court and are essential to their success. They both have a different style to their game with Van Lannen being the fiery athlete with a dirty serve and just finds a way to keep the ball alive as well as scoring points any way she can. Janke is cool, calm, and collected with a steady pace to her sets and always maintains a strong block. This team has plenty of momentum heading into MEQ in a couple weeks.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Megan Consigny has been scoring points all day for <a href="https://x.com/1stAllianceVBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@1stAllianceVBC</a> Lions 15-2. Trying to fight back against Epic. <a href="https://t.co/6oCbTPPrZQ">pic.x.com/6oCbTPPrZQ</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1365694495174590464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Megan Consigny - Lions 15 Red (GL) The moment for me was when Lions 15 Red fought off seven match points against Epic and came back to win the set and another set to steal the match sending them into the championship bracket. Consigny was extremely key for this squad as an outside who was very efficient. She keeps the ball in the court, knows when to really let it rip, but also how to get the other side out of position. With Consigny on the left side pin and right side/setter Lauren Salata it really allows for this team to put pressure on teams by spreading the front line. <img class=" wp-image-134409 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/03/DSC05734-e1614721507652-229x300.jpg" alt="" width="388" height="506" /> Ava Grevengoed - Uno 15 Elite (GL) What a scrappy athlete. Grevengoed is quick, athletic, and is everywhere for Uno 15 Elite. She can set, swing, and pass - doing plenty of positive things for Uno. One of her top attackers would be Payton Mandac who could really put some pace on the ball from the pin. <img class=" wp-image-134410 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/03/DSC05701-e1614721598340-238x300.jpg" alt="" width="333" height="418" /> Jenna Meitzler - [program_tooltip program_id='432009' first='Sky' last='High'] 15 Adidas Black (GL) So smooth. Meitzler was able to set and play right side for [program_tooltip program_id='432009' first='Sky' last='High'] this weekend where she is long, athletic, and highly effective. She seems like the type of athlete where you can put her in any position on the court and she is going to find a way to contribute. She receives the ball high as a setter and found a strong connection with middle Laurin Hamann. Meitzler is one to keep on the radar with her ability to do contribute in multiple ways to her squad.   Mollie Hobson - [program_tooltip program_id='429175' first='VC' last='United'] 151 Elite (GL) Hobson plays on the right side and is just really solid and efficient. She is a legit scoring option for [program_tooltip program_id='429175' first='VC' last='United'] with her ability to contact high and put a good swing on the ball with solid hand contact. Nothing flashy, just really efficient and strong where she can score and defend her position extremely well. <h3>Upcoming Prep Dig Events – <a href="https://prepdig.com/events/">Click Here</a></h3> <h3> </h3> <h3>Friday, April 23 – Indy Spring Showcase </h3> <h3> </h3> <h3>Saturday and Sunday, May 1-2 – Battle In The Valley – Appleton, WI </h3> <h3> </h3> <h3>Saturday – Monday, May 29-31 – Prep Dig Gauntlet – Milwaukee, WI </h3> <h3> </h3> <h3>Saturday and Sunday, June 5-6 – Prep Dig Indy Summer Kickoff – Indianapolis, IN</h3>