10 Players To Know Heading Into the Chi-Town Classic
Here we go again as we continue the Prep Dig Circuit in Illinois. Teams will get to take the court and compete with some of the top teams in the midwest. The Chi-Town Classic will take place at the Chicago Sports…
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Continue ReadingHere we go again as we continue the Prep Dig Circuit in Illinois. Teams will get to take the court and compete with some of the top teams in the midwest. The Chi-Town Classic will take place at the Chicago Sports Complex – Midway Central Station in Bedford Park with BallerTV streaming all matches.
I always enjoy this time of year because we get to see teams like Impact 15-National, Midwest Penguins 14-Elite, and Shock 15 UA Storm. We may not know a lot of the names on the roster yet, but we get front-row seats to their evolution as they grow in the game.
Here are some players who are still available and will make dynamic additions to any college roster.
Andi Spies Andi Spies 5'10" | S Fort Atkinson | 2024 State #135 Nation WI – 2024 – 5’10 – Setter/Right Side Hitter – Fort Atkinson – Capital 17 Adidas
I always enjoy watching Spies play because she is exceptionally scrappy and can do it all. She can swing from either pin, set, put up a decent block, and take care of the back court. This team will definitely be one to watch in their pool with a number of offensive weapons who can score at will.
Annalise Patchett Annalise Patchett 6'0" | OH Fox Valley Lutheran | 2024 State WI – 2024 – 5’11 – Outside Hitter – Fox Valley Lutheran – FC Elite 16 Navy
You will want to keep Patchett on your radar. She comes flying on the outside and is connecting really well with Emerson Van Lannen Emerson Van Lannen 5'10" | S Appleton North | 2024 State #144 Nation WI and Kamryn Kaminski Kamryn Kaminski 5'7" | S Howards Grove | 2024 State WI as her setters. Patchett is a competitor on the court or in the sand, and she has a knack for coming in clutch. She puts up a big block and works hard in transition to make solid contact. Her ceiling is really high, and it will be fun to see how she continues to develop!
Olivia Baierl Olivia Baierl 5'8" | DS/L Howards Grove | 2024 State WI – 2024 – 5’8 – Libero – Howards Grove – FC Elite 16 Navy
Baierl is a solid college prospect who would make a great DS/libero with the ability to take effective swings. She is the libero you never knew you needed, and she’s played as a solid six-rotation outside who makes smart choices. Baierl makes shots that help her score points from either pin and her serve-receive keeps her team in-system. She plays with a cool, calm, and collected demeanor that puts her teammates at ease.
Dorci Walker Dorci Walker OH Columbus Catholic | 2022 State WI – 2022 – 6’0 – Outside Hitter – Columbus Catholic – Wisconsin Ice 18 Prep
Walker was breaking and setting new records left and right this fall for the Columbus Catholic program and is gearing up for a big club season. She is a six-rotation outside who can score points from anywhere on the court. Walker takes a big swing but can also score with a variety of speed and shots.
Annika Kowalski Annika Kowalski 5'9" | OH Xavier | 2025 State WI – 2025 – 5’9 – Outside Hitter – Xavier – FC Elite 15 Navy
She’s got some power, along with a really great plant in her approach that gives her all the hitting options! Kowalski played for Xavier this fall where they went undefeated in conference play. She brings an aggressive attacking style to either pin, and she is exciting to watch as she progresses.
Mickenzi Benter Mickenzi Benter 5'9" | RS Fox Valley Lutheran | 2022 State WI – 2022 – 5’9 – Right Side Hitter – Fox Valley Lutheran – Impact 18-National
Benter is 5’9 and knows how to set a strong block on the outside attacker. She was taking some violent (lefty) swings at the Prep Dig Resolution, so I’m excited to see what she can show us in Chi-Town. Benter can score points and challenge opposing blockers and defense.
Emerson Van Lannen Emerson Van Lannen 5'10" | S Appleton North | 2024 State #144 Nation WI – 2024 – 5’10 – Setter – Appleton North – FC Elite 16 Navy
Van Lannen is really athletic and is another setter who can really do it all. She is quick and smooth when she is setting or taking a swing. Van Lannen is sure to be involved in every play and always manages to better the ball.
Emma Nilson Emma Nilson 6'1" | MB Fox Valley Lutheran | 2024 State WI – 2024 – 6’0 – Middle Blocker – Fox Valley Lutheran – FC Elite 16 Navy
16 Navy has a busy schedule and full of big tournaments, including JVA World Challenge (KY), Mideast Qualifier (IN), and Triple Crown NIT (MO). They’ve already managed to win the 17/18 Open division at the PD Resolution and the 16 Open division at the JVA MKE Jamboree, so it isn’t a surprise to see them playing up an age level this weekend. Nilson is a player who has been getting better each time I see her and that is saying something because she has always been very strong and physical at the net. She has a dominant presence in the middle and is a serious threat when she runs a route behind the setter.
Madison Tripp Madison Tripp 5'9" | S Kaukauna | 2025 State WI – 2025 – 5’8 – Setter – Kaukauna – FC Elite 15 Navy
Tripp is a super athletic setter who makes a high quick contact and release with her sets and doesn’t give blockers much time to react. She is a very calm and controlled presence on her team and her footwork is fast and right on the money. Between Tripp and fellow setter, Alexa Hernandez Alexa Hernandez 5'7" | S Green Bay Southwest | 2025 State WI , 15 Navy will be fun to watch and be able to compete with some of the top teams.
Gracie Tallier Gracie Tallier 5'7" | DS/L Gilman | 2023 State WI – 2023 – 5’7 – Libero – Gilman – Wisconsin Ice 17 National
Tallier has great reaction time on defense and makes the correct first step to the ball. She’s been providing a solid first contact to get her squad in system and getting some really great touches on defense. Tallier has this great, innate sense of where to be in order to keep the play alive.
Rachel Koss Rachel Koss 5'11" | S Freedom | 2023 State WI – 2023 – 5’11 – Setter – Freedom – FC Elite 17 Navy
Koss brings a calming presence to the court as she is battle-tested and experienced in big matches. This setter can run all the tempos and command her offense in every rotation. Koss is a solid defender and even throws in a sneaky attack when the time is right.