President’s Day – 3 States – 3 Tournaments – 10 Top-Tier Setters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>President's Day weekend is one of the biggest volleyball weekends of the season. Teams from Wisconsin played across the Midwest. Though I love being in the gym this weekend, the addition of our son Jacob to our family in early January was the perfect reason to stay home and do virtual coverage of various tournaments. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I watched matches all three days for teams who competed at the: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Nike President's Day Classic in Saint Louis, Missouri</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Mizuno SPVB President's Day Challenge in Aurora, Illinois</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Nike President's Cup in Milwaukee, Wisconsin</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several Wisconsin teams participated in these highly competitive tournaments. This first article will focus on the setters who impressed throughout the tournaments. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["586447"],"_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-67b4c03f183b6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Raygen is a player who brings grit to the court. She is not afraid to be aggressive early in matches, finding her middles immediately and establishing their presence. She is one of the hardest workers on the court and puts in full effort on every play. Raygen is competitive, scrappy, and an energizer on the court. Her intangibles were noticeable even when watching virtually. She is a player to keep an eye on and one that is a difference-maker when she is on the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["725450"],"_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-67b4c03f18415"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Charlotte is a force on the court. She plays a very clean game of volleyball and never misses a beat. From three states away, I could tell how well she ran the court and her ability to better the ball on every play. She led her team to a 9th-place gold bracket finish in the open division. Charlotte has a quick touch on the ball and is tough to read. She is a player with a lot of potential and one that is already playing at a very high level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["388447"],"_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-67b4c03f1846d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">During Thomas More's run-up to the state tournament, Julia exploded onto my radar. And she was incredibly impressive in Saint Louis, where her 414 team won the 17 Premier division of the President's Day Classic. Julia is a gritty setter who is very defensive and has great court awareness. She has a way of keeping the ball alive in coverage and defense. </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":"Emma Popp","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32561","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Manitowoc Lincoln","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"One Wisconsin","_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-67b4c03f18507"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Emma is a new player on my radar, and she really caught my eye. Her efficiency on the court was impressive, and she utilized all of her hitters. While watching her play, I found myself in 'coach' mode, thinking<span style="margin: 0px;padding: 0px">,&nbsp;<em>"Good choice</em>,&nbsp;<em>nice set</em>, and&nbsp;<em>way to see that</em>."</span> She is a smart player who does a lot of the little things right and has a lot of potential. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["247780"],"_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-67b4c03f18550"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ava sets for Sting 17 Silver, who went a perfect 20-0 in sets. Ava was a consistent force on the court, moving the ball around quickly and finding her hitters in the perfect moments. She spread her offense out and kept a close eye on opposing blockers. Ava showed excellent court awareness throughout the tournament and never backed down, even after 10 matches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["734119"],"_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-67b4c03f18592"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Madtown 15-1 National competed in the 15/16s Open division of the Mizuno SPVB tournament in Illinois. Lorelei led her team to a 2nd place finish and was superb throughout. Her volleyball IQ is very high, and she moved the ball from pin to pin with seeming ease. Lorelei's decision-making was smart and effective, and she was not afraid to take risks. She is a young player with a massive amount of potential and one that is already running the court with confidence. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["249685"],"_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-67b4c03f185d2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Savy brings so much consistency and grit to the court. She has a deep well of experience and only continues to build on it. Savy led her team to a 1st place finish in the 17/18 Open division of the Mizuno SPVB tournament in Illinois. Her communication on the court, endurance through long rallies, and ability to connect with each of her hitters make her a very valuable athlete. She is also a strong all-around athlete, from her serve to her defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["510469"],"_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-67b4c03f18612"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Anna is as scrappy as they come. She never misses a beat on the court and is not only talented as a setter but on defense as well. She is a leader on the court and runs her offense very well. Anna is always on the move, whether she is covering her hitters, in defense, or putting up a set for her hitters. She has a great rapport with her hitters and works incredibly hard to better the ball. She was a key player in her team's 2nd place finish at the Nike President's Day Cup in Milwaukee playing up in the 17s division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["760628"],"_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":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b4c03f18692"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brenna is new on my radar and really impressed me with her all-around solid play. She did not make a lot of errors and was consistent for her team. She worked hard on the court and was always willing to run down a ball. Brenna caught my eye because she did her job on the court and was disciplined. Her volleyball foundation is solid, and she has a lot of talent and potential. Brenna and 1W 15 National took the championship of the 15s division of the Nike President's Day Cup in Milwaukee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["446662"],"_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-67b4c03f186d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Izzy and her Air team beat Penguins 16 Elite in the championship of the 17 Club division of the Nike President's Day Cup in Milwaukee. After dropping their first match of the tournament, Air went undefeated for the next seven matches. Izzy was a key piece of this team. She is very fluid on the court and makes great on-court adjustments, which only comes with the experience she has worked hard to establish. Her connection with her middles was fun to watch - she could find her middles even from off the net or when she was on the move. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->