What Teams Took Charge On Day 1 of #PDMadnessInMiltown?

The last matches are wrapping up as I write this on court four overlooking [program_tooltip program_id='428659' first='Wisconsin' last='Blaze'] 15 Black take on [program_tooltip program_id='431537' first='Midwest' last='Penguins'] 15 Black. All in a days work at the Prep Dig Madness in Miltown held at the [program_tooltip program_id='428672' first='Milwaukee' last='Sting'] Center. We will head into bracket play come Sunday, but what teams had a strong impression on day one. I have more than a few from four different states who made a statement on Saturday.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/DSC07169.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-531821"/></figure>   [program_tooltip program_id='432009' first='Sky' last='High'] 18 Elite   The rust shook off rather quickly for [program_tooltip program_id='432009' first='Sky' last='High'] who hasn't had a tournament in five weeks since the Boston Qualifier. However, this group is experienced and have played together for years. Illinois State commit [player_tooltip player_id='135994' first='Ruth' last='Ziegler'] was a force on the right side with her swing and block. She was utilized all over the court. Georgetown commit [player_tooltip player_id='136599' first='Berkeley' last='Ploder'] brings a lot of length to the middle and found some highlight worth swings off setter [player_tooltip player_id='136595' first='Jenna' last='Meitzler']. Meitzler is heading to Iowa along with Libero Jaime Marquardt. Then physicality and IQ of Meitzler really sets her apart from the rest of the field.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/DSC07234.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-531822"/></figure>   SMV 18 Black   SMV out of Rochester, Minnesota came in with an AES record of 37-2. They were dominant in their first two matches and took [program_tooltip program_id='432009' first='Sky' last='High'] to 26-24 in set one of the power pool crossover. South Dakota State commit [player_tooltip player_id='117633' first='Madison' last='Burr'] was a force to be reckoned with out of the middle. She has wild pretty scary angles when she is in system. [player_tooltip player_id='209367' first='Logan' last='Koepke'] did a little bit of everything with key points offensively and a gritty defender in the front and back row. SMV will face the winner or RVA and Elevate 18s.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/DSC07251-e1713054737698.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-531823" style="width:1146px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='248484' first='Allison' last='Bostley']</figcaption></figure>   Infinity 17 Navy   Infinity is out of the Madison area and they dominated their pool with only one team getting past 20 points. They only had eight players, but they were all key contributors. Their two outsides played with a spark and a fire in [player_tooltip player_id='487009' first='Emily' last='Jensen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='522824' first='Loretta' last='Tisch']. They were solid defenders and key point scorers as six rotation outsides. Out of the middle was [player_tooltip player_id='248484' first='Allison' last='Bostley']. She anticipates well in her ability to read the other side of the net, establishing a strong block. She sees the court extremely well.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/DSC07181.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-531824"/></figure>   RVA 18 Navy   RVA was a four seed in their pool based on the AES National rankings and came out with a 3-0 record. Their solid defense, clean serve receive, and balanced attack was a major key to their success. Avery Solomon ran the show as a 5-1 setter. She is so smooth with her footwork and her hands with how she receives the ball high and finds her open attackers. One of her favorite targets on the day was [player_tooltip player_id='249689' first='Tessa' last='Davison'] who showed plenty of athleticism and it's her ability to pass and attack from anywhere in the front line.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/DSC07216.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-531825"/></figure>   Elevate 17 Odd Ducks   This club out of Tomah, Wisconsin in Western Wisconsin has really improved since I saw them at the beginning of the season at the Prep Dig Resolution. They are firing on all cylinders. For college coaches looking for 2025s, there are some hidden gems on this squad. [player_tooltip player_id='359927' first='Michelyn' last='Hansen'] would be a steal as a setter. She's a small school high school player out of Hillsboro with a big game. She can put the ball on a dime anywhere on the court and plays with plenty of physicality. [player_tooltip player_id='249626' first='Addison' last='Foor'] and [player_tooltip player_id='435842' first='Vivie' last='Dempsey'] are terminal on the pin. Foor is striking the ball much harder than where she was in December and is going to be another one who will contribute at the next level. A new player on the radar for me is right side is [player_tooltip player_id='497925' first='Makena' last='Ihle']. She has quite the hang time and a huge lefty swing.   <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/1779240369080639719 </div></figure>   Iowa Select 15 Mizuno   The Quad Cities squad is coming in to create some noise. They have a ton of firepower and are so well trained in all facets of the game. They come at the other side with two powerful outsides in Mazie Sweers and Jordan Tegeler. Sweers was a starting outside hitter for Pleasant Valley High School who was a final four finisher this past fall in Iowa's large school class. Out of the middle is Allison Toft. She has plenty of length and athleticism where scoring points looked easy for her with a fast arm swing. The quarterback of the group is setter Leah Caffery who has great command of the court.   <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/1779279918938886551 </div></figure>   [program_tooltip program_id='428662' first='Wisconsin' last='Ice'] 16 National   The club from Wausau came in as the top seed and was out to prove it. They have a well balanced attack, clean ball control, and know how to close a match. Their middle attack is one to watch with [player_tooltip player_id='502918' first='Siennah' last='Calkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='299942' first='Sophia' last='Olson']. These athletes know how to make themselves available in transition and get a big swing on the ball. This opens up their whole offense.

The last matches are wrapping up as I write this on court four overlooking Wisconsin Blaze 15 Black take on Midwest Penguins 15 Black. All in a days work at the Prep Dig Madness in Miltown held at the Milwaukee Sting Center. We will head into bracket play come Sunday, but what teams had a strong impression on day one. I have more than a few from four different states who made a statement on Saturday.