New Attackers To Know From Prep Dig ChiTown Classic

The 2024 Prep Dig ChiTown Classic is in the books and there were plenty of attackers who took the tournament by storm. With coverage of some of these athletes the past couple years, it was exciting to see some new names rise. These attackers listed below are some new names that are rising and ones to watch into the summer live period.   <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/1786787223695745206 </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='260926' first='Elizabeth' last='King'] - Top Flight 17 Elite   King was part of the 17/18s championship squad in Top Flight 17 Elite. She is a pin attacker playing up on the 17s team as she is part of the Class of 2026. Her ability to reach high and snap allowed for some highlight worthy kills. Her length and athleticism allows her to score points in bunches. She has a big time upside to her game that college coaches would want to take note of for the summer live period. I hadn't seen King play much prior to this weekend, but she is definitely one who needs to be on the radar.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/Screen-Shot-2024-05-07-at-3.09.36-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-538017"/></figure>   Madelyn Gesky - Impulse 15 Red   I was able to see Impulse 15 Red Saturday afternoon where they were six strong in a 3-0 performance. Gesky was a major presence out the middle with her block and ability to score points. She was able to swing anywhere in the front line and was able to utilize the throw and tip to find points. In their final match of the day she was able to play all the way around where she forced the other side to tip over the big block. This was a strong performance among all the 15s age group.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/Screen-Shot-2024-05-07-at-3.12.05-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-538018"/></figure>   Alyssa Wolf - [program_tooltip program_id='430006' first='Illini' last='Elite'] 16 White   [program_tooltip program_id='430006' first='Illini' last='Elite'] 16 White was dominant all weekend. They had solid ball control, setters who could put their attackers in position to terminate, and attackers who had some big swings and kills. One of those attackers was Alyssa Wolf on the right side. The lefty had a big swing where she had a combination of power and efficiency. She wasn't afraid to take a big rip, while still keeping control and keeping the ball in the court. Having a lefty like Wolf just adds another dimension to a high powered offense.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/Screen-Shot-2024-05-07-at-3.09.46-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-538019"/></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='522812' first='Aubree' last='Westerfield'] - Belusa United 16 Cyclones   Westerfield was a key attacker for Belusa from the right side. This team looked to Westerfield to score points where she found a way to swing big while also mixing in some shots to score points. Belusa United finished third overall, losing to the eventual champion in [program_tooltip program_id='430006' first='Illini' last='Elite'] 16 White in the semifinals.   <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/1786821089353507011 </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='514786' first='Avery' last='Mullin'] - Ignite 16 Elite   So electric. Mullin was impressive to watch all weekend playing for Ignite 16 Elite who was in the 17/18s Division. She preps at Valparaiso High School in Northwest Indiana where she is poised to have an upcoming big junior season. This past weekend at ChiTown, she was not afraid to swing big. She can go down the line, cross, or use a roll shot or tip to score. She was also able to use the block really well to her advantage. A high flyer, her approach is fast and arm swing is violent.   <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/1787136440423342475 </div></figure>   Gina Fontanez - FIVA 18U   Another fast approach and violent arm swing was Gina Fontanez out of FIVA 18U who made the trip from Florida to the Chitown Classic.  Fontanez is another athlete who had no fear when it came to a big swing. She would seize the split in the block where she was fast to the ball, causing chaos on the other side of the net.  She was also a really solid defensive presence in the backrow.  Her athletic ability was special where she could create plenty of scoring opportunities for herself. This was a fun team to follow throughout the weekend where they finished third overall with a 4-2 record.    [player_tooltip player_id='381125' first='Lucinda' last='McCollum'] - Ignite 16 Elite   McCollum was one of the more dynamic players in the entire tournament.  The lefty right side/setter was doing everything from dishing to blocks to scoring points.  As an attacker she has a big, left handed, fast arm swing.  She can take it a variety of angles.  She preps at Merrillville High School in Northwest indiana which this area is loaded with high level volleyball talent.  Her upside is promising where she has to be touching nearly ten feet and with how dynamic she is, her looks at the next level could be exciting.    [player_tooltip player_id='522604' first='Gracie' last='Buss'] - [program_tooltip program_id='428659' first='Wisconsin' last='Blaze'] 16 Black   Buss is a six rotation outside hitter for [program_tooltip program_id='428659' first='Wisconsin' last='Blaze'] 16 Black which is out of the Appleton, WI area.  Buss has length and athleticism where she was very terminal when Blaze could get in system.  She has a lively arm where she could put plenty of pace on the ball. Blaze finished in the gold bracket on Sunday after some very tight matches on Saturday.  Buss will be an incoming junior at Shawano High School who had a huge season in 2023.    Addison Hoeniges - [program_tooltip program_id='430006' first='Illini' last='Elite'] 16 White   Addison Hoeniges is so active as a middle blocker for Illini 16 White. She has a very quick, fast twitch style to her game where she is able to hit various tempos across the front line. And when she hits, it seems to always be square where everything is intentional. Hoeniges is a sophomore at Central Catholic out of Bloomington, Illinois.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/Screen-Shot-2024-05-07-at-3.27.50-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-538043"/></figure>   Asia Rogers - FIVA 18U   Asia Rogers was a fun athlete to see take the court this weekend as a six rotation outside hitter.  She had all the shots in the book where she could swing big cross court, but she always found a lot of success going down the line.  FIVA made the trip from Kissimmee, Florida where they had a really scrappy 18s team that found a way to keep the ball alive and won plenty of long rallies.

The 2024 Prep Dig ChiTown Classic is in the books and there were plenty of attackers who took the tournament by storm. With coverage of some of these athletes the past couple years, it was exciting to see some new names rise. These attackers listed below are some new names that are rising and ones to watch into the summer live period.