Class of 2022 On The Rise

It’s hard to believe the Class of 2022 was one of our first “Watch Lists” before going through several ranking updates and additions. One of the hardest things about rankings is when you are trying to compare players who play different positions. And then you consider the level of play of the club with which they are competing, as well as the depth of their high school program. Rankings are not an easy task, and most 2022s have made their big jumps and changes as they start to settle into their positions and are into their recruiting journeys. I feel as though our year of covid has put some back a few steps and they are now getting back into the groove and are ready to make those gains again. Here are some athletes primed for a rise in the rankings. [player_tooltip player_id="90600" first="Elise" last="Gillen"] – 5’9 – Setter – Slinger – Wisconsin Premier 17 Teal Gillen is a silky-smooth setter from the Class of 2022. She led the Owls this past season as an outside hitter but has been exceedingly consistent this club season as the setter running a 5-1 for Wisconsin Premier 17 Teal. Gillen knows the best matchups on the court and sets a variety of tempos that keep opponents guessing. Emma Grueneberg – 6’0 – Right Side Hitter – Cedarburg – Wisconsin Premier 17 Teal Grueneberg is a total hidden gem out of Cedarburg who I got to see at the Battle In The Valley. She is athletic and plays at such a high point with a heavy swing, good placement, and a lot of potential. Grueneberg is a lefty who takes a high swing down the line to find the corner, and she is a go-to attacker for Premier when the pressure is on. I can’t wait to see what she can do in her senior season. Estelle Harsh – Outside Hitter – Minneapolis South – Impact 17-Black (MN) Harsh is exciting to watch as a true six-rotation outside hitter. She is fast, physical, and brings her distinctive vertical and command to a highly athletic team out of St. Paul. Harsh can flat-out score points and can do it from anywhere on the court. Anna Jamroz – Libero – Neenah – FVP G18 Blue Jamroz is a tough defender who continues to improve. As a libero, she has a solid platform with control and anticipates well. Jamroz is athletic and has a wicked serve with a lot of movement to it that really takes teams out-of-system. [player_tooltip player_id="90602" first="Vanessa" last="Krueger"] – 5’7 – Libero/Outside Hitter – Marathon – Wisconsin Ice 17 Purple Krueger took on the role of libero against some tough competition this club season and demonstrated how quick she is on defense, as well as having the ability to read well in serve-receive and defense. She is a good communicator, and her sand doubles savvy shows through as she strategizes and directs her attackers. When you see her play doubles, you will notice she has continued to find more ways to score. Krueger is physical, confident, and a rock who keeps her team headed in the right direction with her ability to swing and play from either pin. [player_tooltip player_id="90601" first="Gabriella" last="Magee"] – 5’10 – Middle Blocker – Homestead – Wisconsin Premier 17 Teal Magee is a key attacker for Premier because sets a great block and has a powerful swing. She is very athletic and dynamic with great lateral movement to close the block and quick footwork to transition and make herself available to attack and score points in the corners. Magee continues to develop her game at the net and is really a fun player to watch. [player_tooltip player_id="81288" first="Taylor" last="Raley"] – 5’8 – Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist – Columbus – Madison United 18 Red Raley has been a key piece to the Columbus roster since her freshman season. She’s got a serious vertical, forceful approach, and knows how to score points against a big block. Raley has every tool, can hit the ball well, and is smart at the net. Raley can really rip the ball in the seam if the block doesn’t close fast enough. Leah Schaeve – 5’7 – Setter – Germantown – I AM VBC – Committed to Aurora University Schaeve has really developed as an athlete who can run the offense and take control of the game. She can move the ball from pin to pin, hustle to bring back a bad pass, and runs the offense with confidence. Schaeve is quick and gets her hands to the ball where she can set a wide variety of tempos and give her hitters plenty of options. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/05/Montana-Zdroik-Ice-18P-3-crop-4635x3043-1621195740.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-142569" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/05/Montana-Zdroik-Ice-18P-3-crop-4635x3043-1621195740-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>Montana Zdroik – 5’7 – Setter – SPASH – Wisconsin Ice 17 Purple Zdroik’s game has improved since the summer of 2020 when we anticipated she would be the next varsity setter for SPASH after the graduation of two senior setters. She came on strong right from the get-go during her alternate fall season since her club season was in full swing. Zdroik found ways to play last summer and her connection with her hitters, as well as her confidence on the court, demonstrated her dedication. She keeps her cool, but it doesn’t take long to see she has a fire and intense passion for the game. Olivia Sullivan – 5’10 – Outside Hitter – Notre Dame Academy – Impact 17 National Sullivan had a big weekend at the Prep Dig Battle In The Valley and was a key in Impact’s top 5 finish. At 5’10, she not only has the ability to take a big swing, but she puts up a tough block. She has a big arm, makes smart shots, and she will be big for Notre Dame Academy next season. Sullivan is just as good out-of-system as she is in-system.