2023 Club Profile: Legacy 18-1 And 18-2 ADIDAS

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The class of 2023 will be one the Legacy club program will not soon forget.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There wasn't much the 2023 class didn't do over the last four years for the club. Multiple Open national titles were won, as well as a Triple Crown title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, this group moves into its final club season with a lot of new faces in the mix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the big stories for Legacy's 2023 class is that <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66319' first='Harper' last='Murray'] </strong>(Nebraska), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66309' first='Nina' last='Horning'] </strong>(Cincinnati) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66340' first='Sarah' last='Vellucci'] </strong>(Long Beach State) have opted to enroll early and begin their college careers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no way to fully measure just how much the three have meant to the program and their success. Murray just recently won Gatorade's National Player of the Year, establishing herself as one of the all-time greats to come out of the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Still, Legacy is going to put a strong pair of 18s on the court this season. Here's a look at their top two squads for the Class of 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Legacy 18-1 ADIDAS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":259627,"width":214,"height":306,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/11-Kennedy-Louisell.jpg?w=717" alt="" class="wp-image-259627" width="214" height="306" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='66314' first='Kennedy' last='Louisell']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bryan Lindstrom will be the head coach for this squad, that still contains a number of key pieces from the national championship of a year ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66313' first='Erin' last='Kline'] </strong>(Mississippi State) returns to run the offense. The 6'2” setter has a great feel for this team and her hitters. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66325' first='Abigail' last='Reck'] </strong>(Northeastern) an All-American middle will play the outside this club season similar to what she has done for Northville during high school season. The 6'3” Reck has proven she can play six rotations and remain dominant at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reck has some new faces joining her on the outside, but all are powerful arms. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66314' first='Kennedy' last='Louisell'] </strong>(UNC Greensboro), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66330' first='Ella' last='Schomer'] </strong>(Wofford) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66329' first='Reagan' last='Sass'] </strong>(Denison) are all looking to add to their games this winter and provide this squad with a lot of hitting depth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the middle, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66291' first='Laurece' last='Abraham'] </strong>(Yale) has been a force for the squad in previous years, while <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66302' first='Olivia' last='Gardner'] </strong>(Loyola Chicago) is likely to see a bigger role in the middle during the season. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='140490' first='Kayla' last='Ozanich'] </strong>joins the squad as well. The 6'3” middle is coming off a breakout prep season with Okemos and is still looking for a college landing spot. She's sure to be driven to succeed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, despite losing Vellucci, this squad is going to be one of the best teams you can find. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66308' first='Kaitlyn' last='Hoffman'] </strong>(Ohio State) and <strong>Alexis Smith </strong>(Oakland) were already major parts of the defense in previous years. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66333' first='Ella' last='Shields'] </strong>(Stony Brook) joins the squad as well after playing an outside role with Mercy during the fall. Now she can provide added depth to the defense with her impressive athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This squad opened its 2023 in the Windy City Qualifier last weekend, going 4-3 while finishing 15^th in the Open division. All three losses came in three sets, proving this team still is right on the cusp of being a national contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Legacy 18-2 ADIDAS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":200592,"width":235,"height":290,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/06/Dakota-14-Erin-Madigan.jpg?w=826" alt="" class="wp-image-200592" width="235" height="290" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='108718' first='Erin' last='Madigan']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chelsea Driscoll will be the head coach for this squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Similar to 18-1 ADIDAS, this team has a veteran setter that will lead the way. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='108718' first='Erin' last='Madigan'] </strong>(Arkansas State) brings a lot of tools to the position. The 6'1” Madigan runs a smooth offense while also being a real force defensively as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the outside, 18-2 has some explosive talent in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66339' first='Rachel' last='Townsend'] </strong>(SVSU), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='108760' first='Kate' last='Loch'] </strong>(Michigan Tech) and <strong>Kathryn Smith </strong>(Wayne State). Each is well-rounded and can dial up a fastball with ease. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173608' first='Payton' last='Lee'] </strong>(Niagara) is a 6'4” option on the right side as well. Her size makes her a clear force with her blocking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the middle, 18-2 brings <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='140494' first='Rachel' last='Zurek'] </strong>(Michigan Tech), <strong>Adrienne Staib </strong>(West Liberty) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173604' first='Sydney' last='Low'] </strong>(Cedarville) to the table. Zurek is a middle that was one of the most improved players in the state from a year ago and is playing with a lot of confidence right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, <strong>Lainey Lichota </strong>(East Stroudsburg) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173603' first='Kennedy' last='Hudson'] </strong>will be featured in the back row. Both are tireless players that are very consistent with their passing and serve receive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>18-2 opened its club season at the Windy City Qualifier as well, finishing ninth in the 18 USA Division. They posted a 5-3 record on the weekend. Legacy is expecting this team to catch some programs by surprise this year. They've got the balance around the court and should be a team that can catch fire quickly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->