Sneaky Good 2027s From the PD Gauntlet

The Prep Dig Gauntlet has brought our plenty of high level performances.  I was able to spend the weekend at the [program_tooltip program_id='428672' first='Milwaukee' last='Sting'] Center where every court I watched had something noteworthy.  Here are a few athletes that are ones take another look at when it comes to the national tournaments later this month. The Gauntlet 2027s on the rise!     I was able to catch a highlight of [player_tooltip player_id='510430' first='Erin' last='O'Connor'] of [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 16 Navy win a joust at the net which goes to show her athleticism and physicality at the net. O'Connor is a middle blocker who is extremely dynamic. She can block, swing on the pin, and score points out of the middle. She has been a great addition to [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 16 Navy this season where they will be in the open division in Dallas in a few weeks. I think she has a huge upside to her game where she will be continuing her trajectory onward and upward.     I love the style of Eismann of [program_tooltip program_id='428672' first='Milwaukee' last='Sting'] 16 Black. The six rotation outside hitter packs a punch on her swing and has quite the smash mouth style of volleyball. There is such a fun vibe of this team where they took home the 16 Open title. They play loose and have genuine joy for each other. Eismann preps at Wisconsin Lutheran out of Milwaukee and this high school program is generating plenty of momentum this club season. Keep tabs on Eismann and this 16 Black team as they start their preparation for Dallas.     So smooth. Megan Bruss is a Class of 2027 setter for [program_tooltip program_id='428672' first='Milwaukee' last='Sting'] 16 Black who plays with such composure. She carries herself with confidence and knows how to connect with her teammates. Aside from her pin point accuracy as a setter, she has a nasty serve that can score points, can defend her position well, and knows when to attack. She was one of the setters for Bay Port this past school season, helping lead them to the state tournament.     I've seen [player_tooltip player_id='529814' first='Jayce' last='Prohaska'] play before and it was fun to see her again for 1st Alliance 16 Silver this past weekend. This 16 Silver team is part of a loaded 16s group from 1st Alliance where their top three teams have earned a USA or National bid. This must be quite the gym when it comes to practice time. Prohaska has length and athleticism where she can pass and transition to score points. This group knows how to compete against a high level and will definitely be a threat at USAV in Dallas.    I've seen [player_tooltip player_id='529814' first='Jayce' last='Prohaska'] play before and it was fun to see her again for 1st Alliance 16 Silver this past weekend.  This 16 Silver team is part of a loaded 16s group from 1st Alliance where their top three teams have earned a USA or National bid.  This must be quite the gym when it comes to practice time.  Prohaska has length and athleticism where she can pass and transition to score points.  This group knows how to compete against a high level and will definitely be a threat at USAV in Dallas.     PowerPlex went toe to toe with some big powers this weekend and a libero who stands out for this team is [player_tooltip player_id='490011' first='Leah' last='Janulewicz']. She has a long wingspan and demonstrates quite a range in her game when it comes to serve receive and passing. Her athleticism is a key to her game where she could be the type of athlete to take a swing out of the backrow or on the pin. PowerPlex 16 Brogean will be competing in the USAV American Division and could be one who could be playing some big matches on Day 3 and 4.     Iowa Select 16 Mizuno was playing down a couple of players on Saturday and put up quite a fight. A key player in this group was middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='493984' first='Kyla' last='Ramler']. She packs a punch with a fast arm and is a strong blocker who can shut down an attacker on the other side. She has a great connection with setter [player_tooltip player_id='490009' first='Leah' last='Caffery'] where they were able to connect with a quick side out from serve receive. I can see her having a big nationals where if Select can stay in system they will be tough to beat in Orlando.     I was impressed with the all around game and attacking of [player_tooltip player_id='781339' first='Nicole' last='Liu'] of 1st Alliance 16 Black. She is an outside hitter who is very fundamentally sound from her approach to her swing. She knows how to score points and make the smart shot when needed. She is a key piece to this team who has had a big couple of months, winning the USA Division of the Windy City Qualifier as well as the Great Lakes Championships. They showed how scrappy they are this past weekend at the Gauntlet. Liu and her squad will be ready when it comes to Dallas in a few weeks.     It was quite the weekend for Michio out of Chicago who caught fire on Sunday and blazed their way to the championship, claiming the title in a three set victory over Circle City 16 Purple. This is a well balanced offense who is playing with a lot of confidence right now. A setter to know from this group is [player_tooltip player_id='530633' first='Malley' last='Green']. I was impressed with her all around game from her footwork to her hands to finding the right matchup. She knows how to find her middle [player_tooltip player_id='412536' first='Kyla' last='Mitchell'] and is always ready to fire it to outsides [player_tooltip player_id='530623' first='Luca' last='Bombacino'] and [player_tooltip player_id='512501' first='Quinn' last='Grevengoed']. With the way they are playing heading into nationals they are going to be a touch match up.

The Prep Dig Gauntlet has brought our plenty of high level performances. I was able to spend the weekend at the Milwaukee Sting Center where every court I watched had something noteworthy. Here are a few athletes that are ones take another look at when it comes to the national tournaments later this month. The Gauntlet 2027s on the rise!