6 Athletes From The PD Gauntlet Ready For A Big Fall
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As school and spring sports wrap up, teams that will be heading to Nationals are gearing up and the Gauntlet was a perfect warm-up. I haven’t missed a Gauntlet yet and I think this was our best yet. This tournament put new…
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Continue ReadingAs school and spring sports wrap up, teams that will be heading to Nationals are gearing up and the Gauntlet was a perfect warm-up. I haven’t missed a Gauntlet yet and I think this was our best yet. This tournament put new names on my radar and let me see a lot of talented players outside of Wisconsin. All of these players are still available and gearing up for a really big high school season this fall.
Jada James – 2023 – 5’9 – Outside Hitter – Lincoln-Way East (IL) – Adversity 17 Adidas
I had fun watching James in a big match. She knows how to elevate and I would actually say she flies. She also has a rocket of an arm and plays with a lot of grit and an aggressive approach to the ball.
Adversity 17 Adidas has a stick of dynamite and her name is @_jadajamess ! #PDGauntlet @PrepDigChris @PrepDig @PrepDigEvents @prepdigil pic.twitter.com/3W26UdHtnE
— Breit Nelson (@BreitNelson) May 28, 2022
Keira O’Donnell – 2025 – 6’0 – Middle Blocker – Lemont Township (IL) – 1st Alliance 15 Gold
O’Donnell may not have been the go-to player for 1st Alliance with some big weapons like Abigail Vander Wal, LaDonna Tranthum, MaTaia Lawson, Sydney Buchanan, and Hannah Kenny, but 1st Alliance does not have an easy schedule and they’ve proven they can hang with the best. This squad has experience playing and winning at a high level as they’ve won the Triple Crown NIT and the Prep Dig Gauntlet. O’Donnell is a middle blocker who could also be a strong right side and make a big impact for Lemont Township as she knows how to get the big block in a big moment. Performing under pressure is such a huge attribute at such a young age.
Leah Richmond Leah Richmond 5'8" | S Lawrence North | 2024 State IN – 2024 – 5’8 – Setter – Lawrence North (IN) – Academy 16E Yeti
Richmond was so good at getting the ball out to her pins quickly and giving them a lot of one-on-one or one-on-none opportunities. Blockers break into a sweat knowing they will have to try and keep up with her. She is extremely athletic and has hot hands like Alaleh Tolliver, Sophie Ledbetter, and Meryl Zunk. Richmond has solid, quick footwork and a quick, clean release.
Sophie Ledbetter and @_leahrichmond were so in sync this weekend. The athleticism of this @TheAcademyVB 16E Yeti was outstanding! #PDGauntlet @PrepDigChris @PrepDigEvents @PrepDig pic.twitter.com/hIsmT0gbAa
— Breit Nelson (@BreitNelson) May 30, 2022
Grace Nelson Grace Nelson 6'1" | OH Oak Park River Forest | 2024 State #37 Nation IL – 2024 – 6’1 – Outside Hitter – Oak Park River Forest (IL) – 1st Alliance 16 Gold
I believe Nelson’s phone will be blowing up come June 15th. She is a strong prospect out of River Forest, IL with a heavy swing, and I thought she was going to tear the leather right off the ball. Nelson is part of a 2024 class who hasn’t had a high school season altered in some way due to Covid. With a fast pace and rigorous schedule at 1st Alliance, she is definitely ready for all the pressures of shouldering a high school team deep into the postseason.
Grace Turner – 2024 – 6’2 – Middle Blocker –(IL) – Adversity 16 Adidas
Adversity is a strong program coming out of Illinois and is always in competition with some of the top teams in the midwest. Turner does a great job of finding high hands and uses the hands. Adversity has played in the Open and recently taken 5th in the Caribbean Girls Volleyball Championships and the Prep Dig Gauntlet. Turner is really solid in the middle with clever timing and powerful blocking.
Maeve Lasky Maeve Lasky 5'11" | RS Oshkosh West | 2025 State WI – 2025 – 5’11 – Pin Hitter – Oshkosh West (WI) – FC Elite 15 Navy
Lasky made her way onto the varsity roster in 2021 as a freshman and will be returning along with a core group, including Avery Pakula, Maddi Choinski, and Emily Blaskowski. This experience and all the growth and development she’s made over the past couple of months will provide Oshkosh West with the potential for a winning season. I believe this will be a big season for Lasky after seeing her come up with some really big plays at the Gauntlet.
Maeve Lasky Maeve Lasky 5'11" | RS Oshkosh West | 2025 State WI gets in on the action for @FCEliteVB 15 Navy at the #PDGauntlet @PrepDigChris @PrepDig @PrepDigEvents @PrepDigWI pic.twitter.com/MbQRjZK4Oa
— Breit Nelson (@BreitNelson) May 28, 2022
Keep These Players On Your Radar:
Alisiya Boedecker Alisiya Boedecker 5'8" | S Mt. Morris | 2025 MI – 2025 – 5’6 – Setter – Mt. Morris (MI) – MiElite 15 Elite
Caitlin O’Neil – 2024 – Setter – Skyline (MI) – MiElite 16 Elite
Ella Craggs Ella Craggs 5'9" | S Northville | 2025 State #127 Nation MI – 2025 – Setter – Mercy (MI) – MiElite 15 Mizuno
Finley Charapata Finley Charapata 5'10" | OH Appleton North | 2023 State WI – 2023 – 5’11 – Outside Hitter – Appleton North (WI) – FC Elite 17 Navy
Karley Pretzer Karley Pretzer 5'10" | OH Dakota | 2024 State MI – 2024 – 5’8 – Outside Hitter – Dakota (MI) – MiElite 16 Elite
Madison Hoppe Madison Hoppe 5'10" | RS Mukwonago | 2025 State WI – 2025 – 5’10 – Pin Hitter – Mukwonago (WI) – Milwaukee Sting 15 Gold
Madison Quest Madison Quest 6'3" | OH DSHA | 2025 State #13 Nation WI – 2025 – 6’3 – Outside Hitter – DSHA (WI) – Milwaukee Sting 16 Gold
Rachel Koss Rachel Koss 5'11" | S Freedom | 2023 State WI – 2023 – 5’11 – Setter – Freedom (WI) – FC Elite 17 Navy
Reagan Owens – 2025 – 5’3 – Libero – Tri-Valley (IL) – Illini Elite 15 Cardinal
Remi Madison Remi Madison 5'9" | OH Grand Blanc | 2023 State MI – 2023 – 5’10 – Outside Hitter – Grand Blanc (MI) – MiElite 17 Mizuno
Sophia Wendlick Sophia Wendlick 6'0" | OH DSHA | 2024 State #100 Nation WI – 2024 – 6’0 – Pin Hitter – DSHA (WI) – Milwaukee Sting 16 Black
Taryn Rice Taryn Rice 5'7" | DS/L Northville | 2023 State MI – 2023 – 5’9 – Libero (played Middle Blocker this weekend) – Northville (MI) – MiElite 17 Mizuno