Uncommitted 2022 WI Prospects To Watch at The Prep Dig Gauntlet

It’s time for the Gauntlet to return! After what has been one of the craziest years, we are just happy that we can look forward to another opportunity to play, coach, watch, write, and photograph volleyball. This year’s Gauntlet will pull some of the top teams in the Midwest with top clubs out of Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. Most of these teams are gearing up for their end-of-season trip to nationals, making this the perfect tournament among the graduations, spring state competitions, and whatever else schools may be allowing students in which to participate. Listed below are some of the 2022s top prospects who will be competing in the 17/18s division of the Prep Dig Gauntlet. These are players you will want to keep tabs on, not only for the weekend but for future commitments as they gear up for their senior year. <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-106202" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/08/531F1D8E-DE07-4F40-AB9F-FCDC339E1F07-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />[player_tooltip player_id="81273" first="Emma" last="Johnson"] – 2022 – 5’10 – Setter – Luxemburg-Casco – FC Elite 17 Navy Johnson is physical and can set multiple tempos while also being sneaky to score points herself. She has what it takes to play a role at a high level and will be crucial for Luxemburg-Casco in the fall. [player_tooltip player_id="81274" first="Gianna" last="Vollrath"] – 2022 – 6’1 – Middle Blocker - Fall Creek – FC Elite 17 Navy Vollrath has been picking up momentum since her freshman year, including a trip to the state semifinals her sophomore and junior years. She makes a 3-hour drive (one way) to train with FC Elite and setters [player_tooltip player_id="81273" first="Emma" last="Johnson"] and [player_tooltip player_id="57252" first="Emma" last="Baierl"]. Vollrath has been the key piece that Fall Creek has built around, so it will be fun to see Vollrath in a role where the pressure isn’t quite so heavy on her shoulders. [player_tooltip player_id="81276" first="Madelyn" last="Weyda"] – 2022 – 5’10 – Libero – Germantown – Milwaukee Sting 17 White Weyda is part of a really strong and experienced 17 White team this season. She has been a key contributor and a strong first contact for this squad. Weyda was a strong and athletic attacker where she could contribute on either pin but saw an opportunity to build off her defense and serve-receive in the libero/defensive specialist position. She has a strong work ethic and will to succeed, so there are certainly great things to come in her future. [caption id="attachment_112164" align="alignleft" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-112164" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/10/DSC03276.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /> [player_tooltip player_id="81271" first="Jordan" last="Karlen"][/caption] [player_tooltip player_id="81271" first="Jordan" last="Karlen"] – 2022 – 5’9 – Setter – Milton – Capital 18 Adidas Karlen is so solid from her strength, athletic talent, skill, and personality that she is a "must-have" for a college program. She thrives as a setter, but she can defend, block, and hit with the best of them. You can tell she has played different forms of the game from grass fours, sand doubles, and hard court sixes because she can read the other side and pinpoint an opponents’ weakness quicker than any other player I’ve seen. She anticipates, reacts with lightning speed, and is a hard-core competitor. [player_tooltip player_id="90598" first="Mckenzie" last="Gruner"] – 2022 – 6’1 – Middle Blocker – Baraboo – Sting Madison United 17 Red Gruner is absolute dynamite out of the middle for Madison United. She is solid, energetic, and has the height to go with it, Gruner stands at 6’1, but she can move laterally along the net quickly and can really force opponents to error when they see that big blocking presence. She is consistent, always running routes, and always actively involved in the play. <img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-117536" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2020/11/IMG_6342-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" />[player_tooltip player_id="35805" first="Katie" last="Gund"] – 2022 – 5’11 – Setter – Pewaukee – Milwaukee Sting 17 White Gund has been on our radar because she brings a level of grittiness to the court where she is quick-thinking, physical, and can play at a high level. She demonstrates how incredibly deep Milwaukee Sting is with setters like Gund making their White squad. She has such a quick, smooth release of the ball that it makes it really difficult for blockers to cheat. [player_tooltip player_id="81303" first="Sophie" last="McCormack"] – 2022 – 6’0 – Pin Hitter – Kettle Moraine – Sting Burlington United 17 Orange McCormack is explosive on the outside for a well-trained and gifted Burlington United squad. She can hit a variety of shots, including sharp cross, pound the split, or turn it fast down the line. McCormack will be seriously depended upon to score points if Kettle Moraine wants to become a more viable threat in the Classic Eight Conference.