Rising Stars: The Crusader Cup’s Must-Know Players

The first big weekend of tournaments is upon us in Wisconsin, and it is going to be a good one. Teams are traveling far and wide to compete against each other, and this weekend will be a first look at the biggest names to know. One of those tournaments is the Crusader Cup, the Joust Qualifier, taking place at the Sting Center. This year's tournament is a 2-day event with 24 teams competing for top spots. Let's take a look at some of the biggest names to know.    Lizzy is a setter who stepped into the spotlight last year for Oconomowoc and did a fantastic job. She is a captain this year and has only continued to elevate her game. Lizzy is a player who leads by example and works incredibly hard on every play. She runs down balls, brings consistency to her side of the court, and is a confident communicator.     Addison is an absolute baller on the court. She will do anything to keep the ball alive. Her ability to chase down balls, get a playable touch, and fight on defense is so fun to watch. She goes all out on every single play. Her serve receive is also very high-level, and she is confident in running the back row. Addison is a player who won't be stopped easily and can cause a lot of problems for opposing teams.     Chelsea is a pin hitter with a lot of upsides. She is a senior captain this year and a physical and mental leader on the court. Chelsea has great court awareness and crafty shots. When she connects with a perfect set, she can absolutely unload on a ball. Her defense and serve receive also make her a huge leader on the court. She is an all-around talented player with a massive amount of potential.     Alaina is a quick and athletic player who covers a lot of ground when she is on the court. She is great in coverage and brings a lot of consistency to every aspect of her game. Her ability to run down balls on defense and then be ready to cover her teammates is impressive. No matter where she is playing, Alaina makes a difference. She is a steady force in the back row     Abby is a scrappy and confident libero. She covers a lot of court for Grafton and is a relentless athlete in the back court. She does whatever her team needs to get the job done. Abby has a great platform and clean angles. Her solid foundation and form set her up for success in the chaos of scramble plays.     Lydia played in our Stock Up Showcase earlier this month and was so impressive. She runs the court like a well-oiled machine, and at the Stock Up Showcase, she was making great connections with hitters she had never played with before. I cannot imagine the connections she has with her high school teammates. Lydia is a leader in every aspect of the word. She goes all out for her team, has a highly competitive mindset, and will do just about anything to win the point.     Leilah is another athlete who played at the Stock Up Showcase earlier this month. She is the type of player who never stops hustling. She seems to have endless energy on the court, and it translates perfectly into her style of play. Leilah is a high-flying pin with a lightning-fast armswing. She has a lot of power and also a toolbox of shots. She is constantly getting touches on tough balls and is relentless on offense and defense.

The first big weekend of tournaments is upon us in Wisconsin, and it is going to be a good one. Teams are traveling far and wide to compete against each other, and this weekend will be a first look at the biggest names to know. One of those tournaments is the Crusader Cup, the Joust Qualifier, taking place at the Sting Center. This year's tournament is a 2-day event with 24 teams competing for top spots. Let's take a look at some of the biggest names to know.