Prep Dig Battle At The Bay: 17/18s Standouts
It’s easy to talk about the studs from the top 4 teams of the 17/18s division and we hear about them all the time. There was so much talent at the Resch Expo this past weekend for the Prep Dig Battle at the Bay that I wanted to try to see as much as I could on all the courts. Here’s a short list of some of those standouts!
Dorci Walker Dorci Walker OH Columbus Catholic | 2022 State WI – 2022 – 6’0 – Outside Hitter/Middle Blocker – Columbus Catholic (WI) – Wisconsin Ice 18 Prep
When Walker swings out of the middle she knows how to find the deep corners and does a great job on the quick decision when things get hinky in the middle. She takes a big swing from either pin and presents tough blocking at the net. Walker is a well-rounded player that can play all six rotations since she is sound in serve receive and reads well on defense while also presenting an additional attacker from the back row.
Elle Kennedy Elle Kennedy 5'5" | DS/L Howards Grove | 2024 State WI – 2024 – 5’5 – Libero – Howards Grove (WI) – FC Elite 16 Navy
Kennedy was serving tough seams to take teams out of system and send them into a scramble. Her defense and coverage was on point and you could see opposing teams visibly frustrated as she thwarted attempt after attempt. Kennedy’s team was energized by her tough defense and gritty play.
Kya Gahiji Kya Gahiji 5'8" | OH Sheboygan North | 2023 State WI – 2023 – 5’8 – Outside Hitter – Sheboygan North (WI) – Milwaukee Sting 18 Silver
Every time I see her team play Gahiji stands out with her outstanding elevation and explosive swing over the blockers for a big kill that can’t be stopped. She reads well and works hard in transition and I can’t wait to see what she does in her senior season as a key piece on whatever team she steps on the court with.
@GahijiKya goes over the block with ease for @stingvb1988 at the #PDBattleattheBay @PrepDigChris @PrepDigWI @PrepDig @PrepDigEvents @prepdigrachel pic.twitter.com/wGK6OSofPF
— Breit Nelson (@BreitNelson) April 2, 2022
Hannah Moe Hannah Moe 5'11" | OH Oconto | 2022 State WI – 2022 – 6’0 – Pin Hitter – Impact 18 National (WI) – Committed to UW-Oshkosh
Moe was 100% in charge at the net. She was also strong in serve receive and being super athletic you just know she is a go-to player with Impact needed to score. Moe always seemed calm, collected, and confident while playing with an energy and vibe that her team could feed off of.
Kylie Wilhelmi – 2022 – 5’9 – Pin Hitter – Lutheran (IL) – VC United 182 Elite
Wilhelmi was super springy and explosive from either pin. Teams tried to wear her out in serve receive but she was solid. Wilhelmi had quick footwork and could make the transition from passing to attack fast and smooth. Her armswing wasn’t much different and the speed of her swing proved to be too much for defenders.
Kylie Wilhelmi is quick in pass to attack for @wearevcunited 182 Elite#PDBattleattheBay @PrepDigChris @PrepDigWI @PrepDig @PrepDigEvents @prepdigrachel pic.twitter.com/HQZ4IjtVbv
— Breit Nelson (@BreitNelson) April 2, 2022
Other Standouts
Abby Sohn Abby Sohn 5'7" | DS/L Howards Grove | 2023 WI – 2023 – 5’7 – Libero – Howards Grove (WI) – FC Elite 17 White
Alyssa Bommarito Alyssa Bommarito 5'10" | RS Dakota | 2022 State MI – 2022 – 5’10 – Outside Hitter – Dakota (MI) – MiElite 18 National East
Rachel Kerhin Rachel Kerhin OH Green Bay Southwest | 2022 State WI – 2022 – Outside Hitter – Green Bay Southwest (WI) – 1W Bay 18 Mizuno
Brielle Cimbura Brielle Cimbura 5'4" | DS/L Legacy Christian Academy | 2024 State MN – 2024 – 5’4 – Outside Hitter – Legacy Christian (MN) – DIGS 18
Elizabeth Lopata – 2022 – Right Side Hitter – Milwaukee Sting 18 Silver (WI) – Committed to Hamline University
Ella Jensen Ella Jensen 5'4" | DS/L Lakeview | 2024 State MI – 2022 – 5’10 – Middle Blocker – VC United 182 Elite (IL) – Committed to UW-Whitewater
Ellie Martin Ellie Martin 6'0" | MB Grosse Pt. South | 2022 State MI – 2022 – 6’0 – Middle Blocker – Grosse Pointe South (MI) – MiElite 18 National East
Jackie Yancy Jackie Yancy 6'1" | OH Howards Grove | 2023 State WI – 2023 – 6’0 – Outside Hitter – Howards Grove (WI) – FC Elite 17 White – Committed to Michigan Tech
Jaelyn Sivertson Jaelyn Sivertson 5'7" | DS/L Iola-Scandanavia | 2023 State WI – 2023 – 5’7 – Libero/Outside Hitter – Iola-Scandanavia (WI) – Wisconsin Ice 17 National
Jamie Puent Jamie Puent 5'8" | OH Verona | 2023 State WI – 2023 – 5’11 – Outside Hitter – Verona (WI)– Capital 17 Navy
Meg Pfannerstill Meg Pfannerstill 5'10" | OH Lakeland | 2024 State WI – 2024 – 5’10 – Outside Hitter – Lakeland Union (WI) – Wisconsin Ice 17 National
Rachel Virnig Rachel Virnig 5'5" | DS/L Madison Memorial | 2023 WI – 2023 – Defensive Specialist – Madison Memorial (WI) – Capital 17 Navy
Sophia Schneider Sophia Schneider 5'10" | S Waterloo | 2023 State WI – 2023 – 5’10 – Setter/Pin Hitter – Waterloo (WI)– FC Elite 17 White
Tezra Rudzitis Tezra Rudzitis 5'11" | OH Legacy Christian | 2022 State MN – 2022 – 5’10 – Middle Blocker – Meadow Creek Christian (MN) – DIGS 18
Maya Wegand Maya Wegand 5'7" | OH Little Chute | 2023 State WI – 2023 – 5’7 – Libero – Little Chute – Impact 18 National
Maddison Berger
Maddison
Berger
5'11" | OH
Waukesha South | 2023
State
WI
– 2023 – Outside Hitter – Waukesha South –
Milwaukee Sting
18 Silver
#22 – JAG 17 Red National
– Please contact Breit Nelson at spikeitdown@hotmail.com if you know who these players are.
Jaelyn Sivertson Jaelyn Sivertson 5'7" | DS/L Iola-Scandanavia | 2023 State WI with the read, Savanah Spees distributes, and the youngin,
Meg Pfannerstill Meg Pfannerstill 5'10" | OH Lakeland | 2024 State WI , takes the out of system ball and turns it into a 👉 for @WisconsinIce 17 National.#PDBattleattheBay @PrepDigChris @PrepDigWI @PrepDig @PrepDigEvents @prepdigrachel pic.twitter.com/J28m470kZb— Breit Nelson (@BreitNelson) April 2, 2022