Northern Lights Preview: 18s Liberty & American Divisions

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Liberty Division</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sting 18 White</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sting 18 White is coming into the NLQ, having already qualified for the Liberty division of USAV Girls 18s National Championships. They are ranked #1 in the tournament and should dominate throughout the weekend. This is a great chance for them to play high-level volleyball and work on building the depth of their game. This team was highlighted in my article posted earlier this week. You can check it out <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/01/dominant-18s-team-performances-in-january/">here</a>. Some key unsigned prospects to watch include setter/right side [player_tooltip player_id='497920' first='Kaitlin' last='Muecke'], setter [player_tooltip player_id='178236' first='Mariska' last='Kees'], middle [player_tooltip player_id='275792' first='Tessa' last='Jacobson'], outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id='178339' first='Abby' last='Biggin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='185618' first='Katlyn' last='Tarkowski'], and libero [player_tooltip player_id='249664' first='Kennedy' last='Myers']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='431479' first='Wisconsin' last='Juniors'] 18-1</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Juniors narrowly missed out on a bid earlier this month and will be hungry for more. They are ranked 2nd in the NLQ in the Liberty division. They were also highlighted in my article earlier this week and have had a hot start to the season. This team was highlighted in my article posted earlier in the week, which you can find at this <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/01/dominant-18s-team-performances-in-january/">link</a>. Some unsigned prospects you should keep an eye on include setter [player_tooltip player_id='202188' first='Julia' last='Erdmann'], [player_tooltip player_id='178276' first='Emilija' last='Lukic'], and [player_tooltip player_id='497912' first='Maia' last='Peterson']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">1W Bay 18 National</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1W Bay has a very deep roster of talent, and though they did not contend for a bid at Windy City, they battled and competed with top talent, rarely earning fewer than 20 points on a team. This is a team that can step on the court against nearly any team and give them a run for their money. Pin hitters [player_tooltip player_id='564276' first='Lauren' last='Tisler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='202162' first='Amber' last='Otto'] are both impactful pins. Tisler is a 6'1" pin who is one of the top 2027s. She has a big vert and a powerful arm swing. Setter Lauren VerBoort is 2026, who is also playing up a year on the 18s team this season. Middle hitter Allison Albrecht is an athlete who brings a lot of consistency to the frontcourt.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">American Division</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Spiketown 18.1</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spiketown has been playing a very competitive schedule so far this season, starting with the Open division at the Prep Dig Resolution and then traveling to the Windy City Qualifier. They are a team that consistently puts the work in on the court, and they are relentless on every play. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='178280' first='Addison' last='Bryant'] is fun to watch. Her talent is impressive, and she works to keep every hitter involved on the court. She is a smart setter who spreads her offense well. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='522949' first='Ava' last='Van Camp'] is scrappy and quick on the court. She is disciplined in her movement but also reads opponents well. [player_tooltip player_id='522598' first='Savannah' last='Mcclure'] is a middle in the class of 2026 who can already outpace most blockers with her speed on her attack. She is an athlete on the rise and one to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Madtown 18-2 National</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Madtown 18-2 is a team that will only continue to rise throughout the season. They make smart shots, are solid defenders, and are competitive in serve and pass. Middle hitter [player_tooltip player_id='756822' first='Hannah' last='Dietzenbach'] is aggressive and quick. She has a lightning-fast arm swing and mixes up her swing every chance she gets. She can swing deep corners on one shot and put in a hard cut on the next. Maggie Taylor is a pin hitter in the class of 2026 who is a high-level passer. She picks up impressive balls in all six rotations and is an offensive weapon as well. Libero [player_tooltip player_id='504460' first='Fayth' last='Hesselberg'] is another 2026 athlete on this team. She takes control of the backcourt like a seasoned leader and is fearless on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='428662' first='Wisconsin' last='Ice'] 18 National</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is hard to believe these Ice athletes are 18s already. Many have been on our radar since their 15s year. This roster may only have nine athletes on it, but every single one of these players could play multiple positions. They are well-rounded 6-rotation athletes with a lot of on-court chemistry. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='392835' first='Kailyn' last='Kurth'] is a gritty player who makes even the toughest plays work. She makes it her job to better the ball on every play. Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='487017' first='Kathryn' last='Ilkka'] and [player_tooltip player_id='178254' first='Lily' last='Shields'] are unstoppable. Their combined volleyball IQ is sky-high, and they know the game backward, forward, and inside out. This roster includes the class of 2027 middle/pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='724640' first='Abigail' last='Kluz']. Other familiar names include [player_tooltip player_id='178296' first='Sade' last='Partlow'], [player_tooltip player_id='178295' first='Ari' last='Partlow'], and [player_tooltip player_id='180602' first='Cali' last='Eastling']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='557038' first='Milwaukee' last='Juniors'] Volleyball Club 18-1</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='557038' first='Milwaukee' last='Juniors'] had a challenging start to the season, competing in the open divisions of the Prep Dig Resolution and Winter Classic. They will have numerous tough matches under their belt as they head to Minneapolis this weekend. [player_tooltip player_id='202180' first='Alyse' last='Mews'] is an impressive offensive weapon for the Juniors. She is quick and always engaged. Her setters like to get her established early, and she can find ways to manufacture points throughout matches. 2026 pin hitter Addison Johnson is smart but aggressive with her swings. She isn't afraid to take rips on the ball but has a toolbox of shots to mix up her placement. Setters [player_tooltip player_id='178335' first='Hope' last='Martens'] and Morgan Bleskan keep their hitters engaged and move the ball around efficiently. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 18 White</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This FC team is very versatile and uses it to their advantage. They fight hard in every match and are very balanced in their game. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='756819' first='Nadia' last='Marchionda'] can play all six rotations and, on top of being a talented setter, is an excellent blocker. Fellow setter [player_tooltip player_id='249687' first='Sydney' last='Neilitz'] is quick, precise, and has a very aggressive serve. Both run the offense very efficiently. Middle hitter [player_tooltip player_id='504406' first='Elizabeth' last='Lund'] puts up a wall at the net that is thought for opponents to penetrate. [player_tooltip player_id='511451' first='Ashley' last='Graf'] is another dynamic middle on this team who defends the net. This team has a mix of 2026s and 2025s, and as they have more time on the court, they will only continue to improve and impress. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->