What Teams Took Charge On Day 1 of #PDMadnessInMiltown?
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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.
Sky High 18 Elite
The rust shook off rather quickly for Sky 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 Ruth Ziegler Ruth Ziegler 6'3" | MB Warren Township | 2024 State IL was a force on the right side with her swing and block. She was utilized all over the court. Georgetown commit Berkeley Ploder Berkeley Ploder MB Barrington | 2024 State IL brings a lot of length to the middle and found some highlight worth swings off setter Jenna Meitzler Jenna Meitzler 6'1" | S Barrington | 2024 State #117 Nation IL . 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.
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 Sky High to 26-24 in set one of the power pool crossover. South Dakota State commit Madison Burr Madison Burr 6'2" | RS Cannon Falls | 2024 State MN was a force to be reckoned with out of the middle. She has wild pretty scary angles when she is in system. Logan Koepke Logan Koepke 6'0" | OH Caledonia | 2024 State MN 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.
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 Emily Jensen Emily Jensen 5'9" Verona | 2025 WI and Loretta Tisch Loretta Tisch Pecatonica High School | 2026 WI . They were solid defenders and key point scorers as six rotation outsides. Out of the middle was Allison Bostley Allison Bostley 6'3" | MB Verona | 2025 State WI . She anticipates well in her ability to read the other side of the net, establishing a strong block. She sees the court extremely well.
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 Tessa Davison Tessa Davison 5'10" | OH Pewaukee | 2024 State WI who showed plenty of athleticism and it’s her ability to pass and attack from anywhere in the front line.
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. Michelyn Hansen Michelyn Hansen 5'9" | S Hillsboro | 2025 State WI 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. Addison Foor Addison Foor 5'11" | OH Aquinas | 2025 State WI and Vivie Dempsey Vivie Dempsey 5'11" | OH Cashton | 2026 State WI 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 Makena Ihle Makena Ihle 6'0" | RS West Salem | 2025 State WI . She has quite the hang time and a huge lefty swing.
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.
Wisconsin 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 Siennah Calkins Siennah Calkins 5'10" | MB Tomahawk | 2026 WI and Sophia Olson Sophia Olson 6'1" | MB Marshfield | 2026 State WI . These athletes know how to make themselves available in transition and get a big swing on the ball. This opens up their whole offense.