What 2023s Are Picking Up Steam the Second Half of Club Season

The Class of 2023 has had an interesting recruiting experience so far. They played in front of college coaches for not even a month last year before quarantine and most of the footage that Division 1 college coaches have seen is all through a screen. With a potential lift to the dead period on June 1 that doesn't necessarily mean its fair game for college coaches. A scenario could be a “Quiet Period” where athletes can go on campus, but coaches cannot go out. A second scenario would be an “Evaluation Period” where coaches can recruit off campus, but official visits will still be put on hold. What athletes will be ones to have a big second half of the club season in the Class of 2023. <img class=" wp-image-138925 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/04/DSC06300.jpg" alt="" width="491" height="327" /> [player_tooltip player_id="138663" first="Campbell" last="Paris"] - [program_tooltip program_id='432009' first='Sky' last='High'] 16 Adidas Black At 6'4, Paris has a high contact point and has a scary upside to her game. Long, athletic, and a terminal attacker, she will continue to improve and has already proven she can score points. I can see where she could also be utilized on the right side and with more reps will be a threat to score out of the backrow as well. Athletes at this level improve so quickly once they start getting the higher level reps which last year they were doing pepper challenges around the roof of their garage (Yikes - never again). She will be high on the list of 2023's out of Illinois at the next level. [caption id="attachment_105145" align="aligncenter" width="388"]<img class=" wp-image-105145" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/08/SummerShowcase3-e1597683907625-226x300.jpg" alt="" width="388" height="513" /> K. Martin[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="119394" first="Kennedy" last="Martin"] - FC Elite 18 Elite At 6'6, athletic, and physical there isn't much Martin can't do. She has been a standout at the 18 Open level where FC Elite out of Appleton, WI will be playing at USAV 18 Open Championships. However, plenty of members of this team are eligible to play at the 17s level. A continuation of their season as a 17s team will give them more reps and a chance to improve and showcase their skills to high level coaches. 2022 pin [player_tooltip player_id="57241" first="Brianna" last="Cantrell"] is uncommitted on this team and 2024 standout [player_tooltip player_id="122483" first="Ella" last="Demetrician"] is on this squad as well joining Wisconsin commit, [player_tooltip player_id="82282" first="Saige" last="Damrow"] at libero. Martin is moving her way to being one of the top right side/pin attackers in the country. [caption id="attachment_117124" align="aligncenter" width="332"]<img class=" wp-image-117124" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/11/Ava-Schabes-e1611686320286-300x261.jpg" alt="" width="332" height="289" /> [player_tooltip player_id="138662" first="Ava" last="Schabes"], 2023, S.[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="138662" first="Ava" last="Schabes"] - 1st Alliance 17 Silver Schabes is playing up an age level on the 1st Alliance 17s team, but she is from the Class of 2023 where with her solid fundamentals, footwork, hands, and IQ she will be the type of setter high level programs need in their gym. She is accustomed to high level competition and knows how to win. 1st Alliance has plenty of setters who are NCAA caliber teams and they know the formula of how to get to a high level. Schabes has the tools and intangibles to get there.   [caption id="attachment_105300" align="aligncenter" width="399"]<img class=" wp-image-105300" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/08/Lily-Wagner1.jpg" alt="" width="399" height="266" /> [player_tooltip player_id="61819" first="Lily" last="Wagner"][/caption]   [player_tooltip player_id="61819" first="Lily" last="Wagner"] - Milwaukee Sting 16 Gold The style of play for [player_tooltip player_id="61819" first="Lily" last="Wagner"] is electric. She plays with great intensity and is a leader on the court. Her game goes beyond the hardwood as she is a top beach player in Wisconsin as well. A solid six rotation outside who has a mix of shots from the front and backcourt could also have a future as a high level libero (that's just my opinion). With her range in the backcourt and versatility she will have plenty of options as well as options to take her game to the next level on the beach. <img class=" wp-image-135064 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/03/Grace-Egan.jpg" alt="" width="602" height="401" /> [player_tooltip player_id="138648" first="Grace" last="Egan"] - Fusion 16 Red So solid, steady, and knows how to get it done. [player_tooltip player_id="138648" first="Grace" last="Egan"] is one of the top outsides in this class and will be on a list of plenty of Big Ten programs. A heavy swing where she can score out of the backrow makes her a threat anywhere on the court. She is also a solid defender where she is physical at the net with her block, but is a primary passer and can pass to attack as well. I've seen her make plays that make you say “Whoa”. She's that type of athlete and a fun player to see on the court. [caption id="attachment_138919" align="aligncenter" width="551"]<img class="wp-image-138919" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/04/DSC04488.jpg" alt="" width="551" height="367" /> Lasee #10[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="119395" first="Olivia" last="Lasee"] - FC Elite 16 Navy I didn't even know who [player_tooltip player_id="119395" first="Olivia" last="Lasee"] was last year, but she has had a breakout club season so far. A middle blocker who is hovering just above 6'0 tall, her wingspan makes her a force at the net. A physical blocker and much improved attacker will have her on the radar for the next level. Her 16 Navy team is scrappy and will be looking to make some big waves at JVA Jam and the Northern Lights Qualifier.   [player_tooltip player_id="138652" first="Jessica" last="Schmidt"] - 1st Alliance 16 Silver This 16 Silver squad will have a legit chance to win a national championship this year. A lot of teams can say that, but with the depth they have at all positions there are so many ways they can wear you down. I saw Schmidt play on the right side at MEQ and she was such an X-Factor. She has a heavy swing, a physical blocker, but she does the dirty work her team needs. There may not be a high volume of sets her way, but she makes the most of everything that comes her way.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Fun fact...[player_tooltip player_id="91875" first="Grace" last="Grocholski"] of Kettle Moraine has the same class ranking in Wisconsin for <a href="https://x.com/PGHWisconsin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PGHWisconsin</a> and <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigWI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepDigWI</a> at #4 in the Class of 2023 in both sports! What an athlete! <a href="https://t.co/FgJxOiknZc">pic.x.com/FgJxOiknZc</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1344453450453676037?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> [player_tooltip player_id="91875" first="Grace" last="Grocholski"] - Motion [program_tooltip program_id='430137' first='[program_tooltip program_id='429142' first='MVP' last='']' last=''] 16 Blue Grocholski has a busy spring and summer ahead of her. The standout is a top five prospect in basketball and volleyball in the Class of 2023 in Wisconsin. She brings a power game to the pin and can pass out of the backrow as well. Her summer will consist of balancing calls from volleyball and basketball programs, where she has already picked up Division 1 offers in hoops. [caption id="attachment_138923" align="aligncenter" width="453"]<img class="wp-image-138923" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/04/DSC05176.jpg" alt="" width="453" height="302" /> [player_tooltip player_id="61709" first="Lily" last="Barry"][/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="138657" first="Kenna" last="Wollard"] and [player_tooltip player_id="61709" first="Lily" last="Barry"] - [program_tooltip program_id='430006' first='Illini' last='Elite'] 16 Cardinal Two pins for [program_tooltip program_id='430006' first='Illini' last='Elite'] with two different styles. Wollard is 6'1, long, and can swing and score over the block. She can attack from everywhere in the frontline. Barry is 5'7 electic pin, mighty mouse where she just flys. She is key in the backrow where she could see a future as a libero/DS at the next level. These two have played up for [program_tooltip program_id='430006' first='Illini' last='Elite'] in prior years and are now the key leaders for their 16 Cardinal team. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> It's early, but some athletes to note [player_tooltip player_id="138663" first="Campbell" last="Paris"] - <a href="https://x.com/SkyHighVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SkyHighVB</a> Kelsey Todd - <a href="https://x.com/Eastsidevbc96?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Eastsidevbc96</a> Elle Schupbach - <a href="https://x.com/Eastsidevbc96?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Eastsidevbc96</a> [player_tooltip player_id="138654" first="Amanda" last="Otten"] - Fusion 16 Red <a href="https://t.co/Lakze1Rgw5">pic.x.com/Lakze1Rgw5</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1350446758577508353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 16, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> [player_tooltip player_id="138654" first="Amanda" last="Otten"] - Fusion 16 Red Otten is a 6'2 double threat meaning she can swing on the right side and set. Her athleticism and length is something plenty of programs at the next level would be happy to have on her side. Extremely dynamic, Otten makes for a great combo with Egan. With her skill set, teams will have plenty of options as to how to use her in a variety of situations. <img class=" wp-image-105292 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/08/Kindyl-Kilar-e1605202218618-300x278.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="371" /> [player_tooltip player_id="61807" first="Kindyl" last="Kilar"] - Milwaukee Sting 16 Gold Hidden gem. Kilar can play any position and is solid in the backrow. She can play on either pin and has a really dynamic skill set where she can step in and contribute in multiple ways. Well trained, fundamentally sound, she is one that coaches would love to have at the next level because she contributes in multiple ways, can pass, and is a high character and culture kid as well.   More Wisconsin Gems On The Rise [player_tooltip player_id="91860" first="Meghan" last="Schultz"] - Motion [program_tooltip program_id='430137' first='[program_tooltip program_id='429142' first='MVP' last='']' last=''] 16 Blue [player_tooltip player_id="91858" first="Ryleigh" last="Zeller"] - Motion [program_tooltip program_id='430137' first='[program_tooltip program_id='429142' first='MVP' last='']' last=''] 16 Blue [player_tooltip player_id="119398" first="Ashton" last="Birr"] - Impact 16 National [player_tooltip player_id="91933" first="Isabella" last="Grace"] (Izzy) - Impact 16 National [player_tooltip player_id="91902" first="Myakel" last="Kapalko"] - Impact 16 National [player_tooltip player_id="82908" first="Katherine" last="Lockwood"] - Milwaukee Sting 16 Black [player_tooltip player_id="91886" first="Rylee" last="Duessler"] - Milwaukee Sting 16 Black [player_tooltip player_id="82910" first="Kyleigh" last="Coghlan"] - Milwaukee Sting 16 White [player_tooltip player_id="91914" first="Ava" last="Rank"] - FC Elite 16 White [player_tooltip player_id="91908" first="Monika" last="Stevens"] - FC Elite 16 White [player_tooltip player_id="82921" first="Kaitlin" last="Schulz"] - FC Elite 16 Navy [player_tooltip player_id="82963" first="Greta" last="Wise"] - FC Elite 15 Navy [player_tooltip player_id="91856" first="Ellie" last="Gustafson"] - Capital 16 Adidas [player_tooltip player_id="91924" first="Evinae" last="Jordan"] - Capital 16 Adidas   More Illinois Gems On The Rise [player_tooltip player_id="138665" first="Kylie" last="Schulze"] - [program_tooltip program_id='429175' first='VC' last='United'] 161 Elite Julianna Rettig - [program_tooltip program_id='432009' first='Sky' last='High'] 16 Sophs [player_tooltip player_id="138650" first="Gigi" last="Navarette"] - 1st Alliance 16 Silver [player_tooltip player_id="138667" first="Lucy" last="Arndt"] - [program_tooltip program_id='429175' first='VC' last='United'] 161 Elite [player_tooltip player_id="138666" first="Chelsea" last="Williams"] - [program_tooltip program_id='432009' first='Sky' last='High'] 16 Black Adidas [player_tooltip player_id="138664" first="Maggie" last="Duyos"] - [program_tooltip program_id='432009' first='Sky' last='High'] 16 Black Adidas [player_tooltip player_id="138660" first="Kate" last="Goudreau"] - Fusion 16 Red [player_tooltip player_id="138659" first="Nina" last="Schubert"] - Fusion 16 Red [player_tooltip player_id="138649" first="Kamryn" last="Chaney"] - Michio 16 National