15s Ready To Take On Loaded Prep Dig Gauntlet Field
The 15s Division at the Prep Dig Gauntlet is going to be gnarly. We have some of the top teams in the country and with that comes some of the top prospects from the Class of 2027. These athletes might…
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Continue ReadingThe 15s Division at the Prep Dig Gauntlet is going to be gnarly. We have some of the top teams in the country and with that comes some of the top prospects from the Class of 2027. These athletes might not officially be able to get recruited for another year, but they are ready to go toe to toe, making a statement heading into the summer. Take a look at some of the top 15s in the Prep Dig Gauntlet.
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Witherspoon will be one of the top prospects coming out of the Class of 2027. At 6’2 and touching 10’6, that is a physical attribute that is tough to top. She has been one of the leaders for Rockwood Thunder 15 Elite who has a 15 Open bid to USAV in the bag. Teams have to know where she is at all times. She will attack out of every front row position where her versatility in how she can attack and score is what makes her one of the best. This is a bold statement, but there could be some USAV Youth National teams in her future with her size, athleticism, and overall skillset. Her positive intangibles on the court are also a major asset to her game.
Highlights
Williams is a fast twitch middle blocker who can hit from a variety of spots in the front row with different tempos. She knows how to take it to the deep corner, thump it straight down, throw, and attack off of one foot. I was able to see Williams live at Triple Crown where this Rockwood Thunder 15 Elite squad was playing in some big time matches. They are the top seed heading into the Prep Dig Gauntlet where there is a loaded field with some of the top 2027 prospects in the country.
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Heatherly is a true QB1 as a setter who can run the show, but she can also attack and score points on the right side. She will be the most dynamic player in the Prep Dig Gauntlet 15s field where she can do it all. She is the type of player who has a big time IQ for the game where she can see things most others at the 15s level will not. Her all around skill set is unique and her ability to help her team in multiple ways is very exciting. 1st Alliance 15 Gold has a bid to the open level in Vegas this summer and they are always a threat in any tournament.
Highlights
![Ihuoma Ozoh](https://prepdig.com/wp-content/themes/prep-network-content/public/images/generic-female.png)
Ihuoma Ozoh
Ihuoma Ozoh
This middle blocker from 1st Alliance 15 Gold is one to star as a 2026. Ihuoma Ozoh is extremely athletic and physical where she is definitely a threat offensively and defensively. Defensively, she is a quick leaper with great hands where she can take up plenty of space. She is one where the other side will second guess their swing because she finds a way to be there. Offensively she can hit the quick tempos, run a slide, and knows how to mix up shots to score points.
Scifres is from the Wisconsin/Ilinois border where she preps at Westosha Central in Wisconsin and plays for Sky High in the Northern Chicago suburbs. She runs the show as the setter where she has such a command of the court. As one of the top prospects in Wisconsin’s Class of 2027, Scifres is lethal in every rotation where she can defend her position in the backrow and can really be physical in the front row where she can block and score on her own. She will be one to watch from the Class of 2027 and has quite a nucleus of fun athletes around her at Sky High.
Highlights
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Kurpeikis is one of the best attackers in the Illinois Class of 2027 where she is sure to be on the national radar. Her physicality and power is just different. She comes from a volleyball family with two older sisters who are playing Division 1 volleyball at Green Bay. Kurpeikis is on track to compete at a high level where she can contribute in every rotation. She can score on both pins and is always an outlet out of the back row.
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Another 15 Open qualified team, Circle City 15 Purple will be in the hunt for a title at the Prep Dig Gauntlet. One of their key point scorers will be Audrey Davis who is a lethal right side attacker. With a big left handed swing, Davis can swing and score with finesse and power where she can blast it hard down the line or cross, but will also use an off speed roll shot to keep the defense off balance. She is also a threat to score out of the backrow as a six rotation right side.
Highlights
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This upside to Ripley is a little scary where at 6’1, she is relatively new to the outside hitter position. She has previously been a dominant middle blocker where she is now finding her own on the pin. Her hand contact is so square where she hits such a heavy ball. She has definitely found her groove where she is not afraid to swing big and be aggressive. As Ripley continues to develop her all around game, she will be one of the top pins out of 2027s in Wisconsin.
Highlights
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Kelenic is one of the top middles out of the 2027s in Wisconsin where she has plenty of physicality and athleticism to cause some damage. At 6’2, Kelenic has length that is definitely something for the other side of the net to be aware of. She is also one of the top scorers for Sting 15 Gold who will be in the national division at USAV in July. Kelenic will look to lead her team to some big matches come day three and four of nationals.
Highlights
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So powerful. When Agnello strikes the ball on the outside, it just sounds different. This Illinois Class of 2027 is just different when it comes to the depth of pin hitters. Agnello is in the conversation to be among the top in the Class of 2027. Even when the defense knows what’s coming, she is tough to keep her swing in play. She can go hard cross, line, or right over the top of the block. This Sky High team has a balanced attack and when Agnello is on, this opens up everything else for the other attackers.
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I was able to see Isabelle Van Dyke and her FC Elite 15 White team at the Windy City Qualifier where she was lethal from the pin. Her length and athleticism is a weapon the other side of the net has to recognize. She preps at Neenah High School in the Appleton area and will be one to watch in regards to having a breakout sophomore season.
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Covering 1st Alliance the past four to five years, they always manage to have an all around approach to their athletes who can play multiple positions. This goes for Van Eekeren who can set and swing for 1st Alliance 15 Silver. Van Eekeren has volleyball in her family genes with multiple family members playing at a high level. She knows how to contribute in multiple ways for her side of the net. Seeing her at the Windy City Qualifier, she showed how she could score points as a setter or attacker. As a setter, she receives the ball high and is very controlled. She is always looking to push the tempo when the opportunity presents itself. This 1st Alliance 15 Silver team has a national division bid to Vegas and will be one to watch.
Highlights
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Hayes is part of the Milwaukee Sting 15 Black squad who is so fun to watch. They played in the Prep Dig Resolution opening tournament in January and took the 15 Open title. There is so much balance to this team and they aren’t afraid to make a smile and have fun on the court. One of the big time attackers on this team who can pack a punch on the right side is Charlotte Hayes. She hits a heavy ball and connects really well on a quick tempo behind the setter. With her skill set, this really allows Sting 15 Black to spread the defense and use their balanced offense.