Previewing the 2022 ASICS Challenge

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's dive into one of the best high school tournaments of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The annual ASICS Challenge always pulls in some of the best high school volleyball programs from across the Midwest, and that is certainly the case in 2022. Chicago's Mother McAuley High School is hosting this weekend's festivities, and I can't wait to head down there and cover the action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With teams from a few different states participating in the ASICS Challenge, it might be helpful to get everyone acquainted beforehand. So, here's a breakdown of the opening pools for this Windy City tilt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pool 1</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mother McAuley (IL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brookfield Central (WI)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wahlert Catholic (IA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pool 1 of the ASICS Challenge is a microcosm of the exciting field of teams we'll have in Chicago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Host team Mother McAuley heads up this group, and taking down this 18-1 powerhouse will certainly be a tough task. The Mighty Macs feature a wide array of 1st Alliance superstars that I covered during this year's club season, including <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='138650' first='Gigi' last='Navarrete']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='135954' first='Ellie' last='White']</strong>, and <strong>Sydney Buchanan</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":226578,"width":287,"height":377,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/09/Gigi-Navarrete-1-scaled-e1663172485684-780x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-226578" width="287" height="377"/><figcaption>Navarrete</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brookfield Central of Wisconsin and Wahlert Catholic of Iowa are Pool 1's visiting teams. Both teams will offer good scouting opportunities when I make the trip from Nebraska to Chicago, so stay tuned for plenty of first impressions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pool 2</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Assumption (KY)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Montini Catholic (IL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Joliet Catholic (IL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pool 2 is headlined by Kentucky's Assumption High School, a dynasty that has produced innumerable Division 1 talents over the years. A bevy of efficient attackers leads the Rockets this fall, with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='107417' first='Charlotte' last='Moriarty']</strong> and <strong>Bailey Blair</strong> doing much of the scoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montini Catholic and Joliet Catholic will be worthy challengers for the Kentucky insurgents. Memphis commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='138653' first='Jordan' last='Heatherly']</strong> looms large for Montini, as she can do just about anything for the Broncos as a setter-opposite. This is another 1st Alliance connection to keep an eye on, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pool 3</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notre Dame Academy (KY)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Trier (IL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Catholic Memorial (WI)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Kentucky entrant spearheads Pool 3. Notre Dame Academy features many athletes that club volleyball enthusiasts will surely recognize, like North Carolina commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='106678' first='Sydney' last='Nolan']</strong> and 2025 attacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='159327' first='Riley' last='McCloskey']</strong>. The Pandas boast a balanced attack, so I imagine we'll be discussing a few more NDA standouts before the end of the week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With Illinois' New Trier and Wisconsin's Catholic Memorial joining the fray, we have an excellent tri-state configuration in Pool 3. Geographical bragging rights are in play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pool 4</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Omaha Skutt Catholic (NE)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kettle Moraine (WI)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Downers Grove North (IL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here comes the seven-time defending state champion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Omaha Skutt Catholic is making the trip from my Nebraska backyard, and this event should be a good barometer for this dominant volleyball program. Senior outside hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='59194' first='Morgan' last='Burke']</strong> remains a big factor in the offense and can make her mark at one more ASICS Challenge before heading to Michigan next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":230704,"width":515,"height":343,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/09/IMG_2827-edited-scaled.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-230704" width="515" height="343"/><figcaption>Burke</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine also has a big-time outside hitter in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='91875' first='Grace' last='Grocholski']</strong>, a multi-sport star who will take her basketball skills to West Virginia next year. All the firepower in this pool still won't deter Downers Grove North, the sole Illinois team of Pool 4 who will hope to defend some home territory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pool 5</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Divine Savior Holy Angels (WI)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sandburg (IL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nazareth (IL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Divine Savior Holy Angels has had a busy schedule in 2022, so the 27-4 squad from Milwaukee should feel right at home in this packed tournament. Sophomore outside hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='178033' first='Madison' last='Quest']</strong> is a name to know with this group, though many readers here might already recognize her name already.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sandburg and Nazareth are the two Illinois challengers to the Milwaukee visitors. Once again, Pool 5 offers many new scouting opportunities that I'll surely take advantage of this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pool 6</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marist (IL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Charles East (IL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cary-Grove (IL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pool 6 features an Illinois triad, and Chicago-area school Marist claims the top seed. While we're discussing standout 1st Alliance athletes at this event, veteran pin hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='138649' first='Kamryn' last='Chaney']</strong> ought to put on a show for the RedHawks this weekend. The Princeton commit will certainly be among the most physical hitters in Chicago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>St. Charles East and Cary-Grove hope to challenge this physicality. The Illinois familiarity in this group could generate a bit of parity, and I can't wait to see how it unfolds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pool 7</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Huntley (IL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Crystal Lake Central (IL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Henry Clay (KY)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Illinois powerhouses just keep flowing in, and Huntley is the top seed in Pool 7. The Red Raiders will likely lean on senior leaders <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222468' first='Avary' last='DeBlieck']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='222506' first='Allyson' last='Panzloff']</strong>, both of whom are heading to Division 1 destinations next fall. It's just another demonstration of the growing prep volleyball stronghold of Chicago and its huge network of suburbs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crystal Lake Central is also making the short hop to the ASICS Challenge this year. And, if you're into longer trips, Kentucky's Henry Clay High School is heading up to Chicago to bolster representation from the Bluegrass State. Henry Clay has produced dynamic collegiate athletes like Kaitlyn Hord and Taylor Trammell, and this event will give us a glimpse at the team's next wave of talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Pool 8</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Metairie Park Country Day (LA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hamilton (WI)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Minooka (IL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How's this for a geographical outlier? Metairie Park Country Day joins the ASICS Challenge field from all the way down in Louisiana. This definitely qualifies as another first look for me, and I'm excited to see what this unfamiliar team can offer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By contrast, Hamilton High School in Sussex, Wisconsin, has a few different athletes that I've watched in person at a variety of venues. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='82916' first='Sylvie' last='Zgonc']</strong> has been a standout at many of our Prep Dig Circuit events while competing for Milwaukee Sting, and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='178038' first='Eva' last='Finnessy']</strong> will be another strong attacker to follow here. Both Hamilton and Metairie Park will have the task of holding off Minooka, the lone Illinois team in this final group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->