Gauntlet Showdown: Midwest Teams on California’s Radar

PrepDigCa recently traveled to PrepDig's largest event of the year, the Gauntlet, to provide a breakdown of the 17s teams that our California squads may face at Nationals. For California colleges aiming to fill their rosters with top-tier talent and club teams looking for a scouting advantage, these Midwest teams present a treasure trove of skilled athletes ready to make a significant impact.   Sports Performance 17 Elite is set to make waves at the upcoming AAU Championships in Orlando later this month. Meanwhile, Circle City 17 Purple, Michigan Elite 17 Mizuno, and Northern Lights 17-1 will compete at the USAV Open Division Nationals in Las Vegas in July. This article spotlights the teams and key players from these Midwest powerhouses who should be on every scout's radar.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Circle City 17 Purple</h2>   Circle City 17 Purple relied heavily on their pin hitters today, which is particularly notable considering the absence of their six-rotation outside hitter, [player_tooltip player_id='152943' first='Logan' last='Bell']. Bell, who was away for a tryout with the USA 19 and under team, is a crucial part of the squad. Despite her absence, Circle City 17 Purple showcased impressive depth and skill.   [player_tooltip player_id='154814' first='Raegan' last='Durbin'], an outside hitter committed to Middle Tennessee State University, played with remarkable consistency, earning a spotlight as a Top Performer at the tournament. Known for her strong attempts and hitting across her body, Durbin often finds seams left by blockers, making her a reliable offensive threat. [player_tooltip player_id='487338' first='Lauren' last='Wilson'], another outside hitter, brings intensity and power to the team with her fast arm swing, adding a dynamic edge to Circle City's offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='173248' first='Reese' last='Dunkle'], a middle blocker committed to Stanford University, is a solid weapon in the middle. Her ability to dominate at the net both offensively and defensively makes her a key player for Circle City. [player_tooltip player_id='172759' first='Ava' last='Hunter'], a setter committed to Loyola Chicago, drives most of Circle City's offense with her beautiful sets. Her skill in setting often against the grain keeps the opposing defense on their toes and sets up her hitters for success.   [player_tooltip player_id='192107' first='Sadie' last='Poeck'], a right-side hitter committed to Wake Forest University, brings significant power from the right side of the court. Her strong hits and competitive spirit add another layer of depth to the team's attack. [player_tooltip player_id='173243' first='Ellen' last='Zapp'], a middle blocker committed to Oakland University, delivers hard-angle hits from the middle, contributing significantly to the team's offensive versatility. [player_tooltip player_id='173244' first='Eva' last='Hurrle'] is renowned for her serving talents, consistently delivering aces that put pressure on the opposing team. Her serving skills make her a crucial asset for Circle City.   Without [player_tooltip player_id='152943' first='Logan' last='Bell'], Circle City 17 Purple demonstrated their resilience and depth, relying on their talented pin hitters and strong overall team dynamics. With key players like [player_tooltip player_id='154814' first='Raegan' last='Durbin'], [player_tooltip player_id='487338' first='Lauren' last='Wilson'], [player_tooltip player_id='173248' first='Reese' last='Dunkle'], [player_tooltip player_id='172759' first='Ava' last='Hunter'], [player_tooltip player_id='192107' first='Sadie' last='Poeck'], [player_tooltip player_id='173243' first='Ellen' last='Zapp'], and [player_tooltip player_id='173244' first='Eva' last='Hurrle'], Circle City 17 Purple remains a team to watch, capable of making significant impacts at Nationals in Vegas.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/image_af6cfd.png" alt="" class="wp-image-548968" /></figure>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Michigan Elite 17 Mizuno</h2>   Michigan Elite 17 Mizuno is a versatile team with an aggressive playstyle. Today they excelled in every aspect of the game—serving, passing, setting, hitting, and blocking. This team rarely misses serves, shanks, or tips, showcasing a high level of precision and skill. Their dynamic plays, characterized by quick transitions and strategic plays, will make them a tough opponent in Vegas.   Leading the setting game is [player_tooltip player_id='156293' first='Ella' last='Craggs'], who earned the title of top performer by effortlessly running her court. Ella is set to play for Illinois State. [player_tooltip player_id='156319' first='Addison' last='Newblatt'], committed to Fordham University, boasts a powerful topspin jump serve that consistently puts pressure on opponents. Her serving prowess is matched by [player_tooltip player_id='156287' first='Isabelle' last='Busignani'], who will be heading to the University of Cincinnati. The squad was without their primary M1, [player_tooltip player_id='156307' first='Shelby' last='Ignash'], due to a minor injury. Miss Ignash, already committed to Texas Tech, should be ready for nationals.   California teams should be aware of Michigan Elite's fearless libero, [player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne']. Bound for the University of Utah, McKenna effortlessly digs the hardest hits, providing a solid defensive foundation for the team. Michigan Elite 17 Mizuno's aggressive approach and well-rounded skills make them a serious contender at Nationals, and a team that California squads should prepare for.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/image_d77f80.png" alt="" class="wp-image-548969" /></figure>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Northern Lights 17-1: Power</h2>   Northern Lights 17-1 is synonymous with power, bringing exceptional strength to the court in all aspects of their game. Today their performance showcased the dominance of their middle blockers, who played a pivotal role in their success.   Keira Schmidt, who is headed to Marquette, displayed a commanding presence at the net. She excels in reading hitters, serving aces, and making quick transitions. Keira is particularly adept at running the slide, especially out-of-system, making her a versatile and formidable middle blocker. Alongside her, Carly Slusser, who is committed to Butler, also dominated at the net, effectively shutting down dumping setters and hitting strong angles of her own.   On the outside, Kate Holthaus will be taking her cross-court swings to the University of South Dakota, joining her teammate Ava Ball, who also served up some great deep ace serves. However, the standout player of the day for Northern Lights was Mesaiya Bettis, who is committed to Iowa State. Mesaiya is an offensive powerhouse, consistently delivering powerful hits from the outside and bouncing balls left and right. Her performance marked her as one of the most consistent and powerful hitters in the gym.   Northern Lights 17-1's combination of strong middle blockers and powerful outside hitters makes them a team to watch. Their exceptional strength and dynamic playstyle ensure they will be serious contenders at Nationals.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/image_4ca38e.png" alt="" class="wp-image-548971" /></figure>     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sports Performance 17 Elite</h2>   Sports Performance 17 Elite is poised to make a significant impact at the upcoming AAU Championships in Orlando, solidifying their position as a championship contender. From the moment they step on the court for <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8ALgO5sE81/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hitting lines</a>, this team exudes confidence and skill. With a lineup boasting several key players already committed to collegiate programs, Sports Performance presents an intimidating presence.   [player_tooltip player_id='311415' first='Bella' last='Bullington'], bound for Northwestern University, and [player_tooltip player_id='537641' first='Addison' last='Torain'], heading to Winthrop University, displayed their powerful serves, setting the tone for the team's aggressive play. [player_tooltip player_id='311413' first='Audrey' last='Asleson'], committed to the University of Colorado Volleyball, orchestrates the team's offense with precision and ease.   Once Asleson's sets are up, hitters like [player_tooltip player_id='311415' first='Bella' last='Bullington'], [player_tooltip player_id='311420' first='Lauren' last='Coyne'], [player_tooltip player_id='323951' first='Olivia' last='Stewart'], and [player_tooltip player_id='311422' first='Sidney' last='Hamaker'] unleash a barrage of offensive points for their team. [player_tooltip player_id='311422' first='Sidney' last='Hamaker'], set to join Long Beach State, is particularly notable for her offensive talents.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/image_4a5094.png" alt="" class="wp-image-548972" /></figure>     As we look forward to the upcoming Nationals, the insights from the Gauntlet highlight the exceptional talent and competitive edge of Midwest powerhouses like Sports Performance 17 Elite, Circle City 17 Purple, Michigan Elite 17 Mizuno, and Northern Lights 17-1. These teams showcase a combination of skill, depth, and resilience that will undoubtedly make them formidable opponents for our California teams.   The standout performances from key players such as [player_tooltip player_id='173248' first='Reese' last='Dunkle'], [player_tooltip player_id='156319' first='Addison' last='Newblatt'], Mesaiya Bettis, and [player_tooltip player_id='311422' first='Sidney' last='Hamaker'] illustrate the high level of competition that our California squads can expect. For club teams in California, understanding and preparing for these Midwest challengers will be crucial in securing success at Nationals.   I can't wait to see how these talented teams stack up against our California squads and what exciting matchups and standout performances will unfold on the national stage. This year's Nationals promises to be an exciting showcase of volleyball prowess and competitive spirit.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Check out the content produced this weekend on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigca/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PrepDigCa</a> and Good luck to all teams attending Nationals. </h2>

PrepDigCa recently traveled to PrepDig's largest event of the year, the Gauntlet, to provide a breakdown of the 17s teams that our California squads may face at Nationals. For California colleges aiming to fill their rosters with top-tier talent and club teams looking for a scouting advantage, these Midwest teams present a treasure trove of skilled athletes ready to make a significant impact.