Top Teams, Athletes, and Rising Prospects of 16s in 2021
Today marked the official end to the 2021 season. We started with limited spectators, masks for everyone, and plenty of protocols in place. Whether teams finished in Orlando or Vegas for their national tournaments, there were plenty of moments and…
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Continue ReadingToday marked the official end to the 2021 season. We started with limited spectators, masks for everyone, and plenty of protocols in place. Whether teams finished in Orlando or Vegas for their national tournaments, there were plenty of moments and athletes worth revisiting in the season that was 2021. The Class of 2023 are now talking with college coaches and will be starting their recruiting journey to their next step. Plenty of depth in this class and some exciting moments to see in the future.
Top Teams
Milwaukee Sting 16 Gold was oh so close to grabbing a USAV Open bid with multiple day three gold bracket finishes at Qualifiers. They finished third in the National Division at USAV and were the Badger Region Qualifier Champions. FC Elite 16 Navy, Capital 16 Adidas, and MVP 16 Blue all had big seasons with strong finishes in some big events. When it came to head to head competition, FC Elite 16 Navy defeated MVP 16 Blue early on in January at the Prep Dig Resolution, Capital was able to take FC Elite twice (JVA Jamboree and Prep Dig Gauntlet), and Motion 16 Blue won a huge crossover match against Capital 16 Adidas to advance to the Gold Bracket of AAU 16 Premier with a three set win over CVA.
Top Athletes
Lily Wagner Lily Wagner 5'11" | OH Germantown | 2023 State #118 Nation WI – MKE Sting 16 Gold
Wagner can do it all and is a major catalyst for Sting 16 Gold who just finished 3rd at USAV Nationals. An outside hitter who has all the shots in her repertoire and is so solid as a defender. She could see a future at the collegiate level as an outside hitter or libero. Her versatile skill set has also provided her plenty of success on the sand as well.
Meghan Schultz Meghan Schultz 6'3" | MB New Berlin West | 2023 State WI – MVP 16 Blue
Schultz is a physical and dominating presence out of the middle where she can hit the ball square and is highly efficient. She earned All Star honors for MVP 16 Blue who finished in the Gold Bracket of 16 Premier at AAU Nationals. She will start a busy July as she hits the hardcourt for basketball with Flight Elite, one of the top club basketball programs in Wisconsin.
Grace Grocholski Grace Grocholski 5'10" | OH Kettle Moraine | 2023 State WI – MVP 16 Blue
Grocholski just finds a way to score points. She always has and continues to prove she’s one of the top dual athletes in the state where she is a top five prospect in the Class of 2023 for basketball and volleyball. Her Kettle Moraine High School team will be a top team to contend with this fall in Division 1.
Paige Miller Paige Miller 5'10" | DS/L Kaukauna | 2023 State WI – FC Elite 16 Navy
Miller won a state title in softball for Kaukauna High School, then hopped on a plane to compete at USAV Nationals in Vegas the next day. Miller is the top libero in the Class of 2023 out of Wisconsin and her range and athletic ability highlight her resume of skills. She is constantly talking on the move, providing a spark for any team she is on.
Elena Dragani Elena Dragani S Catholic Memorial | 2023 State WI to Rylee Duessler Rylee Duessler 5'9" | OH Waterloo | 2023 State WI . 2023 combo. @stingvb1988 16 Black will be another top team at the Prep Dig Gauntlet. pic.twitter.com/whrpg6W9Jd
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) May 16, 2021
Elena Dragani Elena Dragani S Catholic Memorial | 2023 State WI – MKE Sting 16 Black
Dragani is another one who had a next level performance in her 2021 club season. She showed that she can command the court as a setter. From hitting the right tempos to putting her attackers in position to score and even taking some herself, she is one to keep tabs on throughout the summer.
Molly Berezowitz Molly Berezowitz DS/L Burlington | 2023 State WI doing WERK at libero! And a huge stuff by Bella Lipski Bella Lipski MB DSHA | 2023 State WI @stingvb1988 pic.twitter.com/Easl7vLZEP
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) May 30, 2021
Molly Berezowitz Molly Berezowitz DS/L Burlington | 2023 State WI – MKE Sting 16 Black
Berezowitz continues to impress with her athleticism and intangibles. She’s not only solid in serve receive and taking pace off a hard driven ball, but she can pick up the tips, put up a clean second ball, and it a major spark with her teammates. Berezowitz and Miller have competed on the hardcourt their whole careers and were also opponents at the state softball tournament with Berezowitz playing second base for Burlington.
Addison Schmotzer Addison Schmotzer 6'2" | MB Edgewood | 2023 State WI – Capital 16 Adidas
Schmotzer has a major upside to her game as a middle blocker. She’s long, dynamic and plays extremely high above the net. She has flashes of former Capital middle blocker, Kiana Schmitt Kiana Schmitt 6'3" | MB Waunakee | 2019 State WI who is currently a MB/RS at Creighton. She will be entering her Junior year at Edgewood where they will looking to make a return trip to the state tournament.
Newcomers
We have a champ!
I AM VBC takes home the title in the 16S division 🚨 #pdbattleninthevalley pic.twitter.com/4JQAeH2SrF
— Prep Dig Circuit (@PDCircuit) May 2, 2021
I AM VBC 16 Red
I AM VBC out of the Grafton area is a club on the rise. Their teams were highly competitive in the Badger Region Power League, had a strong showing at the Badger Region Qualifier, and took home the 16s title at the Prep Dig Battle in the Valley. Meredith Bock is an uber athletic Libero who provides a solid first contact while Lillian Bandle out of the middle is full of intensity and has a powerful game.
Myla Glaser Myla Glaser 5'11" | MB Kettle Moraine | 2023 State WI – Midwest Penguins 16 Black
jumps like a deer and has a major upside to her game out of the Middle for Midwest Penguins 16 Black. A strong attacker and blocker, Glaser always has the opportunity to score points in bunches. MWP 16 Black competed at the 16 American level in Vegas and had a really solid all around squad.
Solid combo for @CapitalVbAll 16 Adidas with Evin Jordee and Ellie Gustafson Ellie Gustafson 5'10" | OH Monticello | 2023 State WI . #pdgauntlet pic.twitter.com/GH8xNbVBVR
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) May 30, 2021
Ellie Gustafson Ellie Gustafson 5'10" | OH Monticello | 2023 State WI – Capital 16 Adidas
I saw Gustafson last summer at our showcase where she showed a lot of promise, but seeing her almost a year later and her strength and overall game is at a different level. She’s jumping higher, hitting the ball harder, and is going to have a huge junior season this fall. She is definitely one to have on the radar for college coaches.
Izzy Isabella Grace Isabella Grace 5'10" | OH Bay Port | 2023 State WI -Impact 16 National
Grace has exploded in the past year! Really springy on the outside and a solid six rotation player, she reminds me a lot of Aida Shadewald Aida Shadewald 5'11" | OH Sauk Prairie | 2022 State #184 Nation WI of Sauk Prairie who recently committed to Wright State. As her all around game progresses and she starts scoring points from the backrow she will be tough to stop.
Berlin Troendle – VHawk Xtreme 16 Adidas
Troendle will be a sneaky one who has been a little under the radar where she is a fast twitch middle and can get up quick. Around six feet tall, Troendle is extremely athletic and fast along the net and can also adjust on the fly in order to score points and find a block.
Maddison Berger – SWVBC 16 Blue
Berger really stood out at the Prep Dig Gauntlet. She was one of our top performers at the event and provided plenty of firepower. She has a really heavy swing and will be looking to lead Waukesha South this fall.
Always fun watching Sydney Selburg Sydney Selburg 5'8" | S Westosha Central | 2023 State WI if @westoshavball and @WiJrs run the show. This is a really athletic 16-1 squad! pic.twitter.com/ltYEY3Elo0
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) February 20, 2021
Sydney Selburg Sydney Selburg 5'8" | S Westosha Central | 2023 State WI – Wisconsin Juniors 16-1
This is 16s squad for Juniors had some big wins this year and was consistently competing at a high level. Selburg is a left handed setter who can hit all the tempos and be offensive when needed. She connected frequently with outside hitter Abigail Alan who also had a big season for Juniors.
Jacqueline Yancy – FC Elite 16 White
As a 15s and even the start of 16s, Yancy was finding her spot dabbling in all of the front row positions, but the second half of the club season was Yancy’s time to shine on the outside. Long, athletic, and a high contact point, Yancy was a major point scorer for FC Elite 16 White. She will be an incoming Junior at Howards Grove where they will be looking to win their third consecutive state title.
Top Matches
Sting 16 White vs Capital 16 Adidas – Prep Dig Gauntlet
Sting 16 White was coming off a tough loss while Capital 16 Adidas was on a red hot streak where they hadn’t lost in a few weeks. This was a must win for Sting 16 White to stay on the Gold side of the tournament. This match did not disappoint as they closed down the gym in three set thriller in favor of Sting 16 White.
MWP vs I AM VBC – Prep Dig Battle In the Valley
At 14-8 in set three, I AM VBC 16 Red was in the driver’s seat just needing one more point to seal the deal for the Prep Dig Battle in the Valley championship. However, MWP 16 Black made a furious comeback to make it 14-13, before I AM was able to scratch a point out to bring home the title.
FC Elite 16 Navy vs Capital 16 Adidas – Prep Dig Gauntlet
The championship match of the Prep Dig Gauntlet did not disappoint between Capital and FC Elite. Two solid programs, evenly matched, battle tested, and building huge momentum into nationals this would go into three sets with Capital 16 Adidas taking the crown.
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