Battle In The Valley ’23 and ’24 Players with Crazy Potential
One of my favorite parts about the Battle In The Valley was the variety of teams from around the state, as well as a few other states. I enjoy watching the younger grades to identify those players who are on their…
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Continue ReadingOne of my favorite parts about the Battle In The Valley was the variety of teams from around the state, as well as a few other states. I enjoy watching the younger grades to identify those players who are on their way to being really amazing athletes.
There were so many players with a crazy amount of ability.
Addison Janus – 2023 – Middle Blocker – Waunakee – Madison Sting United 16 Red
Janus was one of the quickest middle hitters in the 16’s division and her lateral quickness is what first caught my attention. This makes her extremely critical, not only when holding the opposing defense’s attention but also as a blocker. She did a nice job of closing the block, as well as making herself available on every play. Janus elevates well and sees the court to find the open tip in the 4 corner. Janus is an overall solid athlete who will continue to improve.
Aaliyah Krenn Aaliyah Krenn 6'1" | MB Columbus Catholic | 2024 State WI – 2024 – 6’1 – Middle Blocker/Pin Hitter – Marshfield – Wisconsin Ice 15 Purple
When Krenn connects with her setter, Paige Guld Paige Guld 5'3" | S Newman Catholic | 2024 State WI , it’s like a firework show. At 6’1 she has a high contact point, strong block, and sees the court really well. Krenn knows the places on the court to push a ball for the kill. She has a potent swing from anywhere along the net and a serve that forces teams out-of-system.
Aubrey Berlowski Aubrey Berlowski OH Kettle Moraine | 2023 State WI – 2023 – 5’10 – Outside Hitter – Kettle Moraine – Midwest Penguins 16 Black
Berlowski has a vertical that gives her an advantage at the net. It makes her good at blocking and attacking. When she uses her leaping ability, she is overwhelming for the opposing block. Berlowski is an exciting athlete to watch and is someone to keep on your radar.
Berlin Troendle – 2023 – 5’11 – Middle Blocker – Waukon (IA) – V-Hawk Xtreme 16-Adidas
Troendle is a fast middle hitter with a high contact point. Middles with her speed and height are valuable at all levels! She sees the court well and has great court awareness. Troendle is so strong in the middle with smart timing and a big block. Troendle is a player to watch as she continues to grow over the rest of her prep career.
Carizma Muth Carizma Muth 5'10" | OH Randolph | 2023 State WI – 2023 – 6’0 – Pin Hitter – Randolph – Madison United 16 Red
Muth came ready to play at the Prep Dig Battle In The Valley. Her vertical is as crazy as the strength in her swing. Muth has a solid foundation on defense and serve-receive and maintains a high contact point when hitting the ball. She is adaptable, powerful, and rarely gets blocked because of her athleticism and smart shot choice. At the rate Muth has been improving, she may be an overpowering all-around player this fall.
Chloe Colombo – 2023 – 5’6 – Outside Hitter – Xavier – Wisconsin Blaze 16 Black
Colombo is sound in her fundamentals and has a solid vertical. She is a six-rotation player and provides strong defense, as well as a hard swing. Colombo plays well no matter where she is on the court, and she uses every tool available to score points. At the Battle it became evident that she can hit a range of shots and generates a lot of energy for her team. Colombo is strong on defense and would be an asset to any team.
Elise Checkalski Elise Checkalski DS/L Appleton North | 2023 State WI – 2023 – 5’3 – Libero – Appleton North – Impact 17 National
Checkalski has a great volleyball IQ and great fundamental ball control. She reads the ball really well on both defense and serve-receive. She is quick to react and a little spit fire who I really enjoy watching. She will be a player to look for as she moves up the ranks of a powerful Appleton North squad!
Halie Kapelke – 2024 – Middle Blocker – Onalaska – V-Hawk Xtreme 16-Adidas
Kapelke is a very intelligent player who knows when to swing away and when to place the ball strategically. She has a high volleyball IQ for a freshman and uses it to her advantage. Kapelke is an extremely engaged middle who knows how to make herself available for her setter on every play. She is a dynamic player who moves well, gives her setter options, and has a really high contact point and long reach. Kapelke does a nice job working around the block and finding the corners, which really sets her team up for success.
Mya Trafficante Mya Trafficante 5'7" | OH Sussex-Hamilton | 2023 State WI – 2023 – 5’6 – Outside Hitter – Hamilton – Midwest Penguins 16 Black
Trafficante is a good defender with solid ball control from anywhere on the court. She impressed me when I saw her 2 years ago at the Gauntlet, and she still impressed me at the Battle In The Valley. She is just as good out-of-system as she is in-system, and she is quick when she has to go from calm and controlled in serve-receive to transitioning to explode in her approach for a powerful swing. Trafficante saw some court time this past fall for Hamilton, who won the Division 1 State Tournament, and from what I’ve seen recently, she plays with a high volleyball IQ and great vision of the court. She has a huge vertical, power, and can place the ball exactly where she wants to score points.