2025 Club Preview: Legacy 18-1 ADIDAS

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Legacy Class of 2025 has done a lot of great things over the years, but Legacy 18-1 ADIDAS looks very different for the club in its final year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's certainly nothing against Legacy. The reason for a big roster change is four different players have already begun their college career by graduating early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Recently named Gatorade National Player of the Year <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156295' first='Campbell' last='Flynn'] </strong>(Nebraska) joins <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='398694' first='Devin' last='Dzienny'] </strong>(Florida), <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156309' first='Lauren' last='Johnson'] </strong>(Washington State) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156340' first='Addison' last='Williams']</strong> (Fresno State) as former members of this team that have ventured to the next level already.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Still, coaches Bryan Lindstrom and Sydney Mann have a lot of college talent to work with as they get set to open up play in the Windy City Qualifier next this weekend in Illinois.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Legacy 18-1 ADIDAS</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='288954' first='Brooke' last='Hehl'] - S</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='288965' first='Lili' last='Smith'] - S/RS</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='156299' first='Olivia' last='Grenadier'] - MB</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='261176' first='Kendall' last='Williams'] - MB</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='156313' first='Marie' last='Laurio'] - OH</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='176101' first='Keely' last='Culler'] - OH</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='185683' first='Alivia' last='Brown'] - DS</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='156282' first='Jessica' last='Lee'] - DS</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='586437' first='Madalin' last='Hersman'] - OH</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='156285' first='Tina' last='Barnekova'] - RS</td><td></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Setting the Standard</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It certainly isn't going to be easy for Legacy to replace Flynn, but this year's squad is going to shift to a 6-2 and utilize a pair of talented setters in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288954' first='Brooke' last='Hehl'] </strong>(Hope College) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='288965' first='Lili' last='Smith'] </strong>(IPFW). Both bring their strengths to the floor and Smith also has the ability to shift to a right side. The 5'11” prospect from Flushing plays longer than she's listed while Hehl is a technically sound and smooth setter that will get a chance to add a few new layers to her game before heading on to college play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Elite hitting</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One area that Legacy won't be lacking is with its arms at the net. Despite some graduation loss, this team still is stacked with power. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156299' first='Olivia' last='Grenadier'] </strong>(Colorado) is back in the middle after a dominant run with Country Day this fall. An injury really impacted her play last year, so this has been a big comeback year for Grenadier. She is joined n the middle by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='261176' first='Kendall' last='Williams'] </strong>(Bowling Green), a fellow 6'1” hitter that has raised her game as of late and could be a breakout talent this club season. On the outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156313' first='Marie' last='Laurio'] </strong>(Syracuse) is a big arm that has proven herself as one of the best in the state. She's joined by FH Northern junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='586437' first='Madalin' last='Hersman']</strong>, who could really make big strides in her game through this experience. Also, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='176101' first='Keely' last='Culler'] </strong>(Western Michigan) rejoins the club from Archbold in Ohio. She's coming off a great prep season and will keep Legacy deep with finishing options. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156285' first='Tina' last='Barnekova']</strong> is also an option that can play anywhere along the net, though right side is her primary spot. She brings a lot of intensity and energy to the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Defensive Balance</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Legacy will have another big hole to fill defensively this year, but it has a pair of hungry players that know how to come through with a big play. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='185683' first='Alivia' last='Brown'] </strong>(Bowling Green) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156282' first='Jessica' last='Lee'] </strong>are no strangers to high-pressure situations and can both read the court really well. They also can be momentum-swingers from the service line, which should be a common theme for this team overall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Expectations</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Legacy isn't a club to back down from expectations. 18U always brings some challenges with a shortened season and graduation loss, but 18-1 ADIDAS is going to be a top contender in most, if not all, tournaments it is in. It has the talent to hold its own with the best. The hitting is there, but clearly this team will have to get accustomed to new setting. If the defense can continue to play at a high level, it should go a long way in helping that setting start fast.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->