Key Performances, Gamechangers of the Prep Dig Resolution

At the beginning of any season, teams are figuring things out.  Whether it is a core group that has played together for years, they might try a new wrinkle here and there.  Some teams have a brand new group who are still learning each others names (especially for the parents).  Even at Prep Dig, we are seeing who has moved clubs, who is playing on what teams, and who is making an impact.  These athletes were somewhat new to me and were big time gamechangers for their teams.    [player_tooltip player_id='122518' first='Emily' last='Murkowski'] - [program_tooltip program_id='428662' first='Wisconsin' last='Ice'] 18 Prep   So solid. Murkowski was the libero for [program_tooltip program_id='428662' first='Wisconsin' last='Ice'] 18 Prep this past weekend where she was everywhere for this team. She showed great anticipation, provided a really clean first contact and could always anticipate well for a second contact that was out of system. She is so steady and dependable for this team.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1748722609250840816?s=20 </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='504441' first='Kayla' last='Landerud'] - Sting United 16 Red   Landerud had some highlight type kills this past weekend for Sting United 16 Red who would go on to win the 16 Open championship. The sophomore out of McFarland has length and athleticism where she was someone the other side of the net had to respect offensively and defensively. She knows how to win with whatever team she plays for - high school or club.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/01/Lamon.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-503167" style="width:498px;height:auto" /></figure>   Kayden Lamon - [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 17 White   [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 17 White had a huge weekend going 4-1 with a big win over [program_tooltip program_id='428662' first='Wisconsin' last='Ice'] 18 Prep and advancing to the semifinals where their only loss was to [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 17 Navy.  Kayden Lemon is a left handed right side attacker who came up with some big kills over the course of the weekend.  She's not afraid to swing big.  She was part of the Appleton North final four team this past high school season.    [player_tooltip player_id='501939' first='Brielle' last='Volker'] - Iowa One 17u Ally   Iowa One is out of the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area in Iowa where they have a lot of talented multi-sport athletes on their squad. One of the top attackers on their team is 2025 outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='501939' first='Brielle' last='Volker'] who was a standout in every rotation. She can pass, attack, and terminate. She was an outside hitter at Sumner-Fredericksburg who was a state tournament team this past season in Iowa. Volker is one to watch where she has all the tools of a solid six rotation outside.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1749220550692528425?s=20 </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='497919' first='Amelia' last='Werner'] - MKE Sting 17 White   Sting 17 White was solid all weekend at the Resolution. One key attacker was [player_tooltip player_id='497919' first='Amelia' last='Werner'] out of Grafton High School. She has an extremely fast arm where she was able to slice some sharp angles. Sting 17 White had two big battles with JAG 18 National where they just lost out on three set thrillers. Werner and her teammates will be competing at the Northern Lights Qualifier in Minneapolis this weekend.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/C2V4a2asdkg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='499852' first='Isabella' last='Maurer'] - FVP 16 National   FVP 16 National had a strong weekend where they went 5-1 overall, finishing second overall in 16 Club.  Maurer is a springy middle who was able to score points out of the middle as well as defend pin to pin with her block.   She had a great sense of the court where she could tip or swing to the open spot.     [player_tooltip player_id='257904' first='Marah' last='Gruen'] - Elevate 18 Raging Rhinos   Gruen is the do it all type athlete who can take any court or field and be one of the top athletes out there. She is a senior at Royall High School where this past season her high school team had a 30-4 record and she collected over 500 kills. She's only 5'7, but she touches real high. Her quick hops and fast arm swing allows her to be a mismatch nightmare. As far as I know she's uncommitted, but she would be a sneaky pick up at the next level.   Sadie Newcombe - Sting United 16 Black   Sting United 16 Black was a final four finisher in 16 Club and one of the key contributors throughout the weekend. She is a six rotation outside where she was able to find the open court and provided a mix of shots to score points. She preps at Middleton High School just outside Madison and will be gearing up for a big junior season.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2advozMbBO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== </div></figure>   Tyler Hill - MKE Sting 16 Silver   This was a really fun team to watch all weekend where they played with so much fire and confidence.  Sting 16 Silver was on fire to say the least.  They had a pool play loss to FVP to finish Saturday, but had the chance for redemption Sunday afternoon.  They got out fast and never looked back, winning 25-11, 25-21.  Tyler Hill was a key piece to this in the middle where she showed how dynamic she could be attacking and blocking.

At the beginning of any season, teams are figuring things out. Whether it is a core group that has played together for years, they might try a new wrinkle here and there. Some teams have a brand new group who are still learning each others names (especially for the parents). Even at Prep Dig, we are seeing who has moved clubs, who is playing on what teams, and who is making an impact. These athletes were somewhat new to me and were big time gamechangers for their teams.