New Clubs Rise, Familiar Faces Highlight Day 1 Battle at the Bay
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Day one of Battle at the Bay featured plenty of familiar faces, but also some new as we wrap up action from the Resch Expo across from Lambeau Field. Could it be another Sting 18 Gold vs FC Elite 18…
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Continue ReadingDay one of Battle at the Bay featured plenty of familiar faces, but also some new as we wrap up action from the Resch Expo across from Lambeau Field.
Could it be another Sting 18 Gold vs FC Elite 18 Elite Title Game?
This qualifier season it has been a back and forth battle between thee two teams. FC Elite 18 Elite leads the series 2.5-2. The reason I put a 2.5 in there is because FC Elite 18 Elite won a one set tiebreaker over Sting at the MidEast Qualifier in March where they punched their open bid. Sting 18 Gold got their open bid in Boston where both of these teams will be among the top group in the country at USAV Nationals in Columbus, Ohio.
With the target on the back of these two teams there are plenty of others in the hunt poised for an upset bid. 608 Juniors had a strong mornkng behind the play or Toledo commit Sierra Pertzborn Sierra Pertzborn 6'3" | MB Middleton | 2023 State WI . She is long, strong, and extremely dynamic out of the middle where she can do a lot of damage. Andi Spies Andi Spies 5'10" | S Fort Atkinson | 2024 State #135 Nation WI , one of the top players out of the Class of 2024 does plenty for this team as a setter and right side attacker, responsible for a whole lot of points. Michigan Tech commit Amelia Albers Amelia Albers 5'5" | DS/L Stoughton | 2023 State WI has competed in numerous Prep Dig events and has provides a lot of consistency in the backrow.
Impact 18 National out of Appleton made quick work or their pool going 6-0 in sets to hold their number one seed. WIAC commits Alivia Jeanquart Alivia Jeanquart 5'7" | S Notre Dame Academy | 2023 State WI (UW-Stevens Point) and Isabella Grace Isabella Grace 5'10" | OH Bay Port | 2023 State WI (UW-Eau Claire) had a big day as did 2024 right side Claudia Merizon Claudia Merizon 5'6" | RS Neenah | 2024 State WI who is always explosive with a quick left handed swing.
Gold play continues late Sunday morning with many of these athletes playing their final match in Wisconsin as a high school athlete.
A New Club “Elevate”ing
Elevate VBC with athletes ranging from the Tomah to the LaCrosse area had a big day, led by their 18 Black team who will be one to watch in the 17/18 Club Division. Jayda Berg, a Winona State commit is a dominant player in the field. 6’2, athletic and left handed, she is a tough match up when it comes to her big swing and solid block. She makes a great combination with setter Halie Kapelke Halie Kapelke 6'0" | S Onalaska | 2024 State WI (Concordia Chicago) who has a great IQ and can be a threat at the net. The Elevate 16 Black team showed plenty of athleticism with a team full of balance. Vivie Dempsey Vivie Dempsey 5'11" | OH Cashton | 2026 State WI brought a huge swing from the outside with a ton of physicality while her partner in crime on the outside, Addison Foor being a six rotation machine where she and pass and score among the best in the 16 Open field.
Eau ClAIRe
AIR VBC 16 Blue out of the Eau Claire area was dominant in the 16 Club level. Meredith Adams Meredith Adams 5'10" | S Eau Claire Memorial | 2025 WI is a really dynamic setter. She brings a lot of physicality and a big left handed swing where she can turn and burn to score points on her own. Hope Bushendorf was dominant on the right side where she provided a heavy swing that was tough for the other side of the net as well as a strong block. Ashlynn Schroeder Ashlynn Schroeder DS/L Eau Claire Memorial | 2025 State WI provides a lot of length and range as a libero. This team is tough and I know Air as a club is having a season where they are building plenty of momentum in Western Wisconsin.
Other Names To Know
Sari Marks Sari Marks 6'0" | S Sun Prairie West | 2026 State WI – Sting United 15 Red
So dynamic as a setter/right side, this Sting United team out of the Madison area team has had a huge season. They are in the hunt for a 16 Open title.
Tessa Grogan Tessa Grogan 5'3" | S Divine Savior Holy Angels | 2026 State WI – MWP 15 Elite
Grogan is a setter who plays with such a spark for Midwest Penguins . This is a really athletic squad with a lot of balance.
Sam Fisch and Riley Laine Riley Laine 6'1" | MB South Milwaukee | 2023 State WI – MKE Sting 18 Black
This middle blocking duo was on fire today. Both will be heading to make waves in the D2 world with Fisch going to Parkside and Laine going to UIndy. They are so fun to watch.
Bays Keller Bays Keller DS/L Oconomowoc | 2024 State WI – MVP ‘ last=”]’ last=”]’ last=”]’ last=”]’ last=”]’ last=”]’ last=”] 17 Blue
Keller knows how to play at a high level. She is the Libero for Oconomowoc where she was part of their state runner up team. She is uber scrappy and covers a ton of court.
Keira Kasten Keira Kasten 6'0" | OH Libertyville | 2023 State IL – Sky High 18 Black
Kasten has a major spring in her approach and she is a dominant point scorer on the right side. She is committed to Elon.