Prep Dig Gauntlet: Top WI Athletes To Watch For 16s

The Class of 2023 has had an interesting recruiting process so far. These athletes have been through Covid, Zoom has just been part of the norm, and sending out highlights from hudl is automatic. But now, they will be prepping to play in front of coaches (of all divisions)….live and to start the recruiting process. The Prep Dig Gauntlet will provide plenty of talent out of the Class of 2023 and here are names that need to be known throughout the whole weekend. <img class=" wp-image-102233 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/07/DSC09538.jpg" alt="" width="444" height="296" /> [player_tooltip player_id="91887" first="Addison" last="Schmotzer"] - Capital 16 Adidas I can’t help but see flashes of [player_tooltip player_id="32724" first="Kiana" last="Schmitt"] who is a 2019 graduate of Waunakee, and CVA Alum now playing for Creighton when I see Schmotzer. Very similar is style and build, long and athletic and able to roam the middle as an offensive and defensive presence. Schmotzer preps at Edgewood out of Madison where they will have one of the top middle blocking combos with her and [player_tooltip player_id="81264" first="Ally" last="Barth"] who has committed to North Dakota State. <img class="size-medium wp-image-117143 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/11/Ellie-Gustafson-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="300" /> [player_tooltip player_id="91856" first="Ellie" last="Gustafson"] - Capital 16 Adidas Extremely dynamic pin hitter who can play on the outside and control the backcourt from middle back. Capital has been on a hot streak as of late winning the JVA Jam in Milwaukee and taking the gold ball at the JVA Midwest Challenge in Des Moines. CVA will bring a well balanced attack with two solid setters in [player_tooltip player_id="122560" first="Andi" last="Spies"] and [player_tooltip player_id="91952" first="Evinae" last="Jordee"]   [player_tooltip player_id="119395" first="Olivia" last="Lasee"] - FC Elite 16 Navy Lasee has had a major breakout season for FC Elite 16 Navy. She plays out of the middle and with her wingspan, covers plenty of territory, making a major presence defensively. Her lateral quickness gets her from pin to pin and can close a block. She’s made some huge plays for Elite who has been in the hunt in every tournament they’ve competed in. They will head to the Northern Lights Qualifier in Omaha this weekend. <img class=" wp-image-105311 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/08/Molly-Berezowitz1.jpg" alt="" width="413" height="275" /> [player_tooltip player_id="91895" first="Molly" last="Berezowitz"] - Milwaukee Sting 16 Black Berezowitz brings that spark to the court that is tough to measure on paper. She has range, a controlled platform, and a knack for the ball. 16 Black has dabbled in the Open Qualifiers where they fear no one. They have pins who are crafty and scrappy and size out of the middle to create some problems. With Berezowitz providing a solid first contact, they are able to keep themselves in every match competing among the best. [caption id="attachment_116089" align="aligncenter" width="431"]<img class=" wp-image-116089" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/11/DSC09637.jpg" alt="" width="431" height="287" /> Schmitz[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="119396" first="Kennedy" last="Schmitz"] - FC Elite 16 Navy Schmitz is a hidden gem on the Elite 16 Navy squad where she is quietly one of the top defenders in NE Wisconsin. She has been the libero for Fox Valley Lutheran High School out of Appleton the past two years and will be a favorite in D2 this upcoming fall season. Schmitz knows how to take pace off a ball as well as be someone who can put up a three point pass for their setters to run an efficient offense. <img class=" wp-image-129650 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/02/Amelia-Albers.jpg" alt="" width="389" height="259" /> [player_tooltip player_id="119399" first="Amelia" last="Albers"] - Capital 16 Adidas Albers has always stood out at Prep Dig events among various showcases and is now in the groove as the libero for CVA 16 Adidas. CVA didn’t play until mid February with various Covid protocols in place in Dane County, but this team is finding their peak heading into the most crucial time of the season. They will be among some of the top teams at the Gauntlet and will be looking to make a statement heading into June. [caption id="attachment_105259" align="aligncenter" width="476"]<img class=" wp-image-105259" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/08/Elena-Dragani1.jpg" alt="" width="476" height="317" /> [player_tooltip player_id="91906" first="Elena" last="Dragani"], 2023, S.[/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="91906" first="Elena" last="Dragani"] - Milwaukee Sting 16 Black Solid all the way around. Dragani defends her position well, can hold a solid block, and can hit all the sets for her side of the net. Sting 16 Black is able to run a quick tempo offense with high flyers on the net who have plenty of shots. Dragani can also go in the middle to the likes of Isabella Lipski, [player_tooltip player_id="91861" first="Samantha" last="Fisch"], and [player_tooltip player_id="82890" first="Kyra" last="Klumb"]. Extremely dynamic, Dragani plays big in big moments.   [player_tooltip player_id="82913" first="Naomi" last="Sheperd"] - Milwaukee Sting 16 Black Sheperd just finds a way to score points. A lefty on the ride side, she is tough to defend with some of the intangibles she brings with her block and swing. She is a go to attacker where she can put some zip the ball and can be used out of system as well. Her role will definitely increase this fall as well for Arrowhead where she contributed as a Sophomore this past fall.   [player_tooltip player_id="91928" first="Cheyenne" last="Johnson"] - Milwaukee Sting 16 White Johnson is a Lakeside Lutheran prep who is solid in the backrow. When her and [player_tooltip player_id="82910" first="Kyleigh" last="Coghlan"] are able to team up in the backrow for Sting White, good things can happen from the first touch. Johnson is able to hold her platform and can handle a bulk of serves sent her way. She anticipates well and is the DS that teams need when things get tight. Sting 16 White will be in Omaha looking to gain some momentum heading into the summer recruiting period.   Leah Soyke - Milwaukee Sting 16 White Briella Wrench - Milwaukee Sting 16 White This middle tandem has been making huge progress all season for Sting 16 White. Soyke preps at Nicolet while Wrench is at Sussex Hamilton. Soyke is 6’0 tall where Wrench is 5’9 and provide a quick swing out of the middle. This squad has had some big wins this club season. Many of these athletes on this team will be depended upon to make some huge contributions for their high school teams this fall. <img class="size-medium wp-image-141809 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/05/TopPerformer34-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> Maddison Berger - SWVBC 16 Blue Berger had a big weekend most recently at the Prep Dig Battle in the Valley where she was one of the top performers in the Gold Bracket. With solid hand contact and a powerful swing she is a pure point scorer. SWVBC was on a roll at Battle in the Valley finishing in the final four before dropping their semifinal match to I AM VBC 16 Red who would go on to win the title. <img class=" wp-image-134361 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2021/03/DSC05902-e1614704505853-224x300.jpg" alt="" width="324" height="434" /> [player_tooltip player_id="91914" first="Ava" last="Rank"] - FC Elite 16 White Rank has always been solid out of the backrow and is the top libero for FC Elite 16 White. 16 White won Badger Region Championships and was a top team throughout the Badger Region Power League. They have earned a bid to USAV in Vegas and will look to knock off some top teams at the Gauntlet. Rank provides a dependable first contact where 16 White has two strong middles in [player_tooltip player_id="91908" first="Monika" last="Stevens"] and Molly Rhode who are big time point scorers and defenders.