Names To Know Heading Into Prep Dig Champions Cup

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're Back! The Prep Dig Champions Cup is ready to go this weekend at the Community First Champion Center in Appleton with nearly 100 teams competing under one roof on 13 courts. Let's take a look at some athletes we need to know about heading into the weekend. I'll be in attendance as well as Rachel Kass covering the event! Here we go! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["178281"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c0bc07a6217"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='178281' first='Alayna' last='Geiser'] has been a key piece to the puzzle for the success of Spiketown 18.1 where they have claimed an American Bid to nationals with a runner up finish at the Northern Lights Qualifier.  Geiser brings an explosive game as a six rotation outside hitter who can swing big while also mixing in shots to score points in bunches.  She had a decorated prep career at Chilton High School and will be heading to the next level to play for Lawrence University who is putting together quite the talented Class of 2025 recruiting class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["486995"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c0bc07a6302"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I was able to watch [player_tooltip player_id='486995' first='Alyssa' last='Rusch'] at the Prep Dig Resolution and was so impressed by her leaping ability and high touch.  She is able to sky above the net.  Her Heat 18 Flame squad took home the Resolution 17/18 Club title back in the beginning of January.  A couple weeks late, Rusch committed to play volleyball at MSOE.  Her length will be a welcome addition to the Raiders who are part of the NACC, a D3 conference with Wisconsin and Illinois colleges. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["739518"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c0bc07a63a2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='739518' first='Riley' last='Danes'] is a Class of 2026 outside hitter playing on for Heat 18 Flame.  Seeing her at the beginning of the season for this team was really exciting.  She was a new player on my radar where she is a high flyer who can score points on the pin.  She is solid in serve receive, defense, and has an active arm that can provide issues for the other side of the net.  Currently a junior at New Holstein High School, Danes is one who could rise among Class of 2026s outsides and is one to be on the radar at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["202194"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c0bc07a6459"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This might be one of the best attackers in the gym this weekend. [player_tooltip player_id='202194' first='Kylee' last='Altendorf'] has been one to have on the radar since her 15s year where she is a go to point scorer for I AM VBC 18 Red.  She had a decorated career at West Best West, eclipsing over 1,000 kills as well as multiple postseason honors. What is so deadly about her game is her ability to take what the defense gives her.  They take away her cross court, she's going line, she can even mix in a roll shot, and use the block.  This should be an exciting weekend for I AM VBC 18 Red. She will play her college volleyball at UW-Whitewater</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["202195"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c0bc07a64eb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='202195' first='Madelyn' last='Abel'] along with her high school and club counterpart, [player_tooltip player_id='202194' first='Kylee' last='Altendorf'] have combined for plenty of assists and kills together.  Abel will be one of the QBs running the show for I AM VBC 18 Red.  She can get her feet to the ball which allows her to have a smooth release on the ball.  She knows how to get her attackers in position to score.  She had over 2,000 assists in her career at West Bend West and will continue playing volleyball at MSOE. She isn't the only MSOE commit at the Champions Cup, [player_tooltip player_id='486995' first='Alyssa' last='Rusch'] of Heat 18 Flame will be in the event as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["732233"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c0bc07a65a1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='732233' first='Madelyn' last='Torola'] will be one of the key attackers for Keweenaw 18s which will be coming from the Keweenaw Peninsula of Upper Michigan.  This team was impressive in Appleton in early January at the Prep Dig Resolution where they were in the final four of the 17/18s Club Division.  Torola has plenty of length along with a big left handed swing from the right side.  She provides a big block, causing some problems for opposing attackers.  There is a big upside to her game.  She's had a decorated high school career and I couldn't find it she was committed or not, but she is definitely a next level player! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Lucy Gray ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Rufus King","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"414 Elite","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c0bc07a66f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I have not seen Lucy Gray of 414 Elite play live, however I'm really impressed by what I have seen with her highlight video.  She is a 6'2 middle blocker who is touching over ten feet.  Her presence as a middle blocker can be felt by the other side of the net where she can get the stuff or alter the shot.  Offensively, she has a heavy swing where she can use the block or find the deep corners.  414 17 Elite is coming off a huge Presidents Day weekend where they took home the 17 Premier Blue title in St. Louis. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["388451"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c0bc07a67b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='388451' first='Brooke' last='Bacus'] will be one of the point scorers for FVP G17 National this weekend in the 17/18 Open Division.  She can swing and score points on the pins.  She is a junior at Hortonville High School where FVP is playing in a hometown tournament being a club that practices out of the Champion Center.  This group last year found plenty of success in Prep Dig Events last season and have already picked up a tournament win this year at the Key City Tournament in Dubuque a few weeks ago going 7-0. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["754774"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c0bc07a6846"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This Madtown 161 Select team is going to be one to watch this weekend at the Champions Cup.  They have been off to a blistering start in the 2025 season.  Checky has put together quite the sophomore year where she was Player of the Year in her conference for Marshall High School.  She is a dynamic attacker who isn't afraid to take a big rip, but then she will mix in an off speed shot.  Her presence is something the other side of the net will need to be aware of. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->