11 High-Level ’25s and ’26s Headed to Land of Lincoln

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Land of Lincoln tournament draws top Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and Wisconsin teams. For many teams, this is their last tournament before heading to nationals in a few weeks. [program_tooltip program_id='429175' first='VC' last='United'], [program_tooltip program_id='430006' first='Illini' last='Elite'], [program_tooltip program_id='431567' first='[program_tooltip program_id='431567' first='Adversity' last='']' last=''], Balance, Iowa Rockets, Dunes, and Sports Performance all have teams competing in the 15/16 Open Division. This tournament will be two days of head-to-head competition. Here are some top athletes in the classes of 2025 and 2026 that are headed to the Great Lakes Center in a few days. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["311415"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Bella is a 6'3u0022 pin hitter on Sports Performance 16 Elite. They will compete in the 17/18 Open division of the Land of Lincoln tournament. Bella is explosive and a powerhouse pin. She can do it all at a very high level. She is one of the top recruits in this class and was a huge leader in their 1st place finish in the 16 Open division of the JVA World Challenge.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["320126"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Ellie is playing up a year on [program_tooltip program_id='430006' first='Illini' last='Elite'] 17 Cardinal. She is a top 10 player in her class and a natural leader on the court. You would never know she is a grade younger than her teammates. Ellie is relentless as an athlete. She has a high volleyball IQ and is consistent yet effective in all of her skills. Ellie will be an athlete to watch in the 17/18 Open division of Land of Lincoln.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["197029"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Peyton has a huge presence on the court. She is absolutely dominant and was nominated for Prep Dig Player of the week after the Prep Dig Gauntlet. Peyton caught the eye of every single scout in the gym and spectators as well. She is competitive and aggressive as a middle. She never shies away from a big block and manufactures points at an impressive rate. [program_tooltip program_id='430006' first='Illini' last='Elite'] 16 Cardinal will be playing up in the 17/18 Open division at Land of Lincoln, and Peyton is sure to impress.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["311413"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Audrey is a competitive setter with a high volleyball IQ and a quick touch on the ball. She is gritty on defense and aggressive with her setting choices. Audrey balances the strategy and execution of the setting position very well and is an athlete I am excited to see play in person. She runs the court and is a huge leader on her team.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["194575"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='194575' first='April' last='Rice'] is an athlete I am excited to see play in person. She elevates the game of everyone around her and is a hard-working athlete on the court. As a lefty setter, she is dangerous to opposing teams. April isn't afraid to take a swing on a second ball and holds opposing blockers, often giving her hitters a single block. April sees the court incredibly well.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["178289"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"I have yet to see Rebecca play in person with a [program_tooltip program_id='429175' first='VC' last='United'] jersey on, but I have watched them live numerous times this season. Her energy and gameplay build momentum, and her swings pack a punch. She can go on huge runs and is always aggressive and fearless in her play. This team has grown a lot this season, and Rebecca is a key athlete on this team.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["394615"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Madison is a huge impact pin for [program_tooltip program_id='429175' first='VC' last='United'] 15-1. They are one of the top-ranked teams in the 15/16 Open division of Land of Lincoln. Madison knows how to earn points, and she does it with a lot of power and great placement of the ball. She moves her swings around and can power through even the biggest blocks. Madison is a pin that never misses a beat and a go-to hitter on her team.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["288628"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Katherine is a high-flying pin for [program_tooltip program_id='431567' first='[program_tooltip program_id='431567' first='Adversity' last='']' last=''] G16 Adidas. Her arm swing is lightning-fast, and she is always ready for the ball. She is aggressive on both offense and defense and has a natural eye for blocking. She can play on either pin and has a huge vertical and good court awareness. She is a talented athlete with huge potential and will definitely be a player to watch at the tournament this weekend.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["186971"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Shannon is a go-to hitter. She takes a lot of swings and has great power. She is an impact player and has huge potential on both pins. Shannon executes in high-pressure situations and has a high cross-court shot that is tough for opposing defenders to track down. Her long approach and high contact point help her gain momentum and place the ball well.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["324015"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Alana is an athlete I have written about before and one that has a huge presence on the court. She was impressive when I saw her play at the Prep Dig Gauntlet as well as virtual coverage I have done this season. Alana is a go-to hitter and can play at a high level on both pins. She puts up a massive block and is lethal in all six rotations.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["328144"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"Haley is a lethal pin hitter and one I am excited to see go head-to-head with the teams in the 17/18 Open division. She is explosive and high-flying, reaching 10'1u0022 on her vertical. Her athleticism and competitive nature set her apart on the court. She is a 2026 athlete playing up on this incredibly talented Sports Performance 16 Elite squad.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":11,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64812956bb9b1"} /-->