L2 161 Club Preview For 2024

The Class of 2026 is an impressive group around the state, which is clear by the amount of talented 16s club teams we have.   L2 161 is certainly among that group, as they have a well-balanced team that is going to be challenging for a lot of the top programs in the Midwest.   Here's a look at this year's group.   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Addison Garl – Hartland</td><td>Ashlyn Swart – Northville</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='226905' first='Delaney' last='Gilmore'] – Brighton</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='240701' first='Giselle' last='Burlingame'] – Northville</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='487079' first='Jillian' last='Gibbs'] – OLSM</td><td>Kaylyn Tuck – Northville</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='487356' first='Lucy' last='Monahan'] – Bedford</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='261208' first='Skylar' last='Marteen'] – Northville</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='449093' first='Skyye' last='Frailey'] – Troy Athens</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='445679' first='Taylor' last='Dahms'] – Saline</td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Middle power</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/122-Jillian-Gibbs.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-488770" style="width:218px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='487079' first='Jillian' last='Gibbs']</figcaption></figure>   On paper where you see this team being imposing should be in the middle.   L2 161 has three primary middles that can shift around the net, but bring a lot of athleticism and length to the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='487079' first='Jillian' last='Gibbs'], [player_tooltip player_id='487356' first='Lucy' last='Monahan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='445679' first='Taylor' last='Dahms'] have all already made a name for themselves and come into the 2024 club season with an opportunity to really stamp themselves amongst the best in the state.   All got opportunities to compete with top-level teams in the state this prep season and each really picked up their games late in the season.   There's a lot to like about what each brings, but they each have varying levels of power, athleticism around the net, and blocking instincts.   Their mixture of talents is going to confuse and challenge opposing defenses and give L2 the ability to run a lot of different looks offensively.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Outside compliments</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/121-Skyye-Frailey.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-488769" style="width:221px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='449093' first='Skyye' last='Frailey']</figcaption></figure>   Middles are great, but you need the outside hitters to be impactful for the offense to be complete.   L2 161 shouldn't fall short in that department, as they have a lot of well-rounded outsides as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='261208' first='Skylar' last='Marteen'], [player_tooltip player_id='449093' first='Skyye' last='Frailey'] and Kaylyn Tuck make up the three primary hitters on the pins.   Marteen and Tuck both come from the Northville program, which features four total players on this roster. Marteen really broke out throughout the 2023 prep season as a future star. She found another gear for her swing and blocking and proved she can be a big-time finisher.   Frailey also had a breakout season in 2023, leading the Troy Athens offense. Frailey has a really solid all-around game, as she can be as impactful as a defender as she can be on the attack. She has a very smooth and technically sound swing, which makes her a threat from the back row as well as the front.   Tuck is a name to watch out for in 2024. She's got a lot of length to work with, as well as good hang time. She's able to bring the ball down at aggressive angles and hit some challenging spots. Tuck is proving to be a consistent finisher.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Setting and defense complete the team</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/116-Giselle-Burlingame.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-488764" style="width:218px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='240701' first='Giselle' last='Burlingame']</figcaption></figure>   A great bullpen of hitters is supported by excellent setters and defense with L2 161.   Handling the offense is Ashlyn Swart and [player_tooltip player_id='226905' first='Delaney' last='Gilmore'].   Both are calm and cool on the floor and bring a lot of strong defensive attributes to the court. They work very well with their back row to make the best of any out-of-system situations.   When in-system, Swart and Gilmore push a fast pace and mix up their locations and hitters well. With a lot of hitting depth, both setters are able to keep the opponents guessing as to where the ball is going.   Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='240701' first='Giselle' last='Burlingame'] and Addison Garl are the primary options in the back row.   Burlingame comes from the Northville program and she's already established herself as one of the most polished defenders in the Class of 2026.   She's always smooth in her serve receive and passing. She's also got the natural leadership and communication skills you want to see in a defensive leader.   Garl has very active eyes and stays light on her feet to be in good position to take on any attack. She works very well alongside Burlingame, as between the two of them, they are able to get to almost any swings that come their way.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Early results</h2>   L2 opened its season back at The Nike Classic a few weeks ago, placing 11th in the 16 Open Division, a promising result.   The squad went up against some really strong competition, grinding out some tough wins while making statements along the way.   They were able to identify some areas to improve and I think that will start to show more as 161 will compete in the SPVB Presidents Day Challenge in mid-February for its next event.   L2 has a lot of talent that can hang with anyone, it's just a matter of how quickly it can find that team chemistry.

The Class of 2026 is an impressive group around the state, which is clear by the amount of talented 16s club teams we have.