Teams and Names To Know at 1st Alliance Spring Classic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams are getting back into action this weekend and one of the big events is the 1st Alliance Spring Classic at the Wintrust Sports Complex in Bedford Park.&nbsp; Teams are going to be looking to build momentum heading into the final month of the club season.&nbsp; The Class of 2027 will be gearing up for those June 15 phone calls and everyone will be gearing up to play their best in Orlando or Dallas.&nbsp; Here is a look at some teams and names to know at the 1st Alliance Spring Classic.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":765487,"width":"491px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/04/RG1A2458.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-765487" style="width:491px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='319759' first='Alaina' last='Pollard']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1st Alliance</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The host club will have their teams in action in what could be a big month for this club.&nbsp; 1st Alliance 17 Gold will be heading to the Prep Dig Gauntlet next weekend and then Dallas for USAV nationals where last year this group was runner up in 16 Open.&nbsp; The 16s this year have had a huge year where their top three teams have had a huge season.&nbsp; 1st Alliance 16 Silver has top ten finishes at the Winter Classic, MEQ, and Windy City Qualifier.&nbsp; 1st Alliance 16 Black won the Windy City 16 USA Qualifier and followed that up with another tournament win at the Great Lake Region Championships. 1st Alliance 15 Gold snagged an open bid at the Windy City Qualifier and will be the top seed in the 16 Open Division this weekend.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":750973,"width":"482px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/02/137A1205-2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-750973" style="width:482px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rockets 17R [player_tooltip player_id='243457' first='Emily' last='Henderson']. (Photo: Rob Howe/Prep Dig) </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] 17R</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] group has been playing together for years and one attacker that is always a name to know for any event is outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='261094' first='Reese' last='Naeve'].  The 2026 prospect is heady to Iowa State and is a multisport star where she was a medalist at the Iowa state track meet last week in the 100 meter hurdles.  In the backrow is [player_tooltip player_id='373682' first='Kennedey' last='Whitford'], the South Dakota State commit at libero and a new commit is setter [player_tooltip player_id='243457' first='Emily' last='Henderson'] who recently gave her verbal to South Dakota School of Mines. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":766117,"width":"521px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/04/RG1A2912.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-766117" style="width:521px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='755666' first='Lucy' last='Gray'] </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>414 17 Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team out of the Milwaukee area has had a big season where they were Badger Region Champs.  They feature plenty of talent from the Class of 2026 who would be a great pick up at the next level.  [player_tooltip player_id='755666' first='Lucy' last='Gray'] is a lengthy and athletic middle blocker/right side who is extremely dynamic.  She is a steal for the next level.  An outside hitter who packs a major punch is [player_tooltip player_id='388446' first='Alaina' last='Matola'].  When she strikes the ball it sounds different.  The coach of this team is Cullen Liberski who was recently named the 17/18s Badger Region Coach of the Year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":402216,"width":"515px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/Olivia-Witon.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-402216" style="width:515px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='277437' first='Olivia' last='Witon']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='431537' first='Midwest' last='Penguins'] 17 Black&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='431537' first='Midwest' last='Penguins'] 17 Black has had an eventful season that has included a tournament in Hawaii while also being champions of the Prep Dig Resolution back in January.&nbsp; This is another group who has played together for years.&nbsp; Some names to know from this group would be [player_tooltip player_id='277437' first='Olivia' last='Witon'] who is sure to put up points with her attack as well as [player_tooltip player_id='523168' first='Kylie' last=''] Zell out of the middle.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='277439' first='Caroline' last='Abbott'] is a really solid defender out of the backrow and another defender to know is [player_tooltip player_id='236329' first='Gracie' last='Fregien'] who recently committed to UW-Stevens Point.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":762924,"width":"521px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/03/RG1A3526.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-762924" style="width:521px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='587090' first='Whitney' last='Jahimiak']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='432160' first='[program_tooltip program_id='432076' first='[program_tooltip program_id='430137' first='[program_tooltip program_id='429142' first='MVP' last='']' last='']' last='']' last=''] 15 Blue Smack&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have been impressed with [program_tooltip program_id='432160' first='[program_tooltip program_id='432076' first='[program_tooltip program_id='430137' first='[program_tooltip program_id='429142' first='MVP' last='']' last='']' last='']' last=''] 15 Blue Smack out of the Milwaukee area getting a chance to see them at the Northern Lights Qualifier and the JVA World Challenge.  [player_tooltip player_id='587090' first='Whitney' last='Jahimiak'] is an outside hitter who has been building a lot of momentum this club season.  The freshman preps at Muskego High School in the Milwaukee area where this program has a few athletes having big club seasons.  There is a 2029 playing up on this team in [player_tooltip player_id='760849' first='Attigun' last='Benz'] who packs a punch with her swing and is always electric with her style of play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->