NLQ Preview: Wisconsin 2027s in 17 Open and USA

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is nothing wrong with a little early preparation as we are a week away from the Northern Lights Qualifier to held at the Downtown Minneapolis Convention Center January 30-February 1.&nbsp; We are going to zoom in on Wisconsin teams that will be competing in the 17 Open and 17 USA Divisions.&nbsp; There will be plenty of upper Midwest college programs in attendance to get an early start to their recruiting.&nbsp; These 2027s will be on the radar front and center and here is who you can take a look at in Minneapolis.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17 Open </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MKE Sting 17 Gold </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MKE Sting 17 Gold took home the 17/18 Open Winter Classic title this past weekend and I was able to watch the live where there is a different vibe for this group this year.&nbsp; They have a lot of length and athleticism that will make them an open level contender in 2026.&nbsp; Two setters who lead the team are [player_tooltip player_id='435889' first='Gigi' last='Chasco'] and [player_tooltip player_id='509343' first='Taylor' last='Wold'].&nbsp; Chasco is one of the top setters in Wisconsin's Class of 2027 and I have to think she will be a quick commit in the 2026 club season.&nbsp; Her length and playmaking ability is elite, she is next level ready.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='509343' first='Taylor' last='Wold'] is a scrappy competitor who finds a way to get it done against high level competition.&nbsp; In the backrow is [player_tooltip player_id='809138' first='Peyton' last='Wollman'] who shows great range as a libero who gets this squad in system.&nbsp; A middle blocker who jumped on the radar in a big way is [player_tooltip player_id='509327' first='Madelyn' last='Reesman'] who plays the position with speed and athleticism. She connects well with her setters, swings big, and knows how to find the deep corners.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Madtown 171 National </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The squad from Madison will make their way to Minneapolis with a roster full of 2027s who are next level players.&nbsp; An athlete to have on the radar right away would be [player_tooltip player_id='553214' first='Haylin' last='Arnold'].&nbsp; She is coming off a huge high school season for DeForest where she had nearly 400 kills and over 200 digs.&nbsp; She puts a hurt on the ball and plays with no fear.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='510462' first='Olivia' last='Quinton'] is the Sun Prairie West prep who stands at 6'2 and could be utilized in the middle or right side,she has plenty of promise at the next level. A setter to have on the radar is [player_tooltip player_id='435879' first='Amy' last='Denkert'].&nbsp; She quarterbacked Waunakee High School this past fall where they advanced to the final four of Wisconsin's largest class.&nbsp; She plays with poise and a maturity that plenty of coaches want in their gym. Another physical attacker and blocker on this team is [player_tooltip player_id='565655' first='Makennah' last='Peterson']. She is 6-3 and can be a middle blocker or right side.&nbsp; She provides a big block and heavy swing where she can change the game for her side of the net.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Northern Lights 17-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yes, Northern Lights has some key Wisconsin athletes in their club that starts with [player_tooltip player_id='511138' first='Amelie' last='Pankonin'] who preps at River Falls.&nbsp; Pankonin is one of the top available players in the Class of 2027 out of Wisconsin where she brings an electric swing on the outside.&nbsp; She can score in multiple spots where her explosiveness is one of her biggest assets.&nbsp; She already has over 1,000 career kills with three years as a varsity player that includes 400 alone this past season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17 USA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1W 17-1 Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One Wisconsin 17-1 Elite out of Green Bay will have quite the 17s team this season.&nbsp; One of the big names to know is [player_tooltip player_id='564276' first='Lauren' last='Tisler'] who will be heading to Boston College, but they have plenty of high level 2027s available.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='484915' first='Abigail' last='Weidmayer'] has been one of the top high school players in Northeast Wisconsin, prepping at Manitowoc Lincoln High School and was the Co-Fox River Classic Conference Player of the Year.&nbsp; She is a six rotation outside hitter who can play on the right side as well. She has a heavy swing and knows how to use what the defense gives her. Two setters to have on the radar from this team are [player_tooltip player_id='595947' first='Cora' last='Foster'], Weidmayer's high school teammate and [player_tooltip player_id='724541' first='Izzy' last='Otto'].&nbsp; The two play a well rounded game.&nbsp; They know how to defend and dish, putting their teammates in a position to be successful.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 17 Navy </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a lot of balance on this 17 Navy team from [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] where there are plenty of 2027s who would be a great fit at the next level.&nbsp; They have two setters who know how to lead their team.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='485131' first='Lilliani' last='Big Eagle'] and [player_tooltip player_id='510429' first='Abigail' last='Beaumont'] are coming off huge high school seasons and set for the [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 16 Navy team in 2025 that qualified at the open level.&nbsp; If you are looking for an explosive and dynamic attacker out of the middle that would be [player_tooltip player_id='510430' first='Erin' last='O'Connor'].&nbsp; She is extremely quick from pin to pin, blocks well, and knows how to get out of her block to transition and be available for her setters.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MKE Sting 17 Black </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team is going to win a lot of games this 2026 season. They do have some athletes committed with [player_tooltip player_id='828145' first='Alyssa' last='Gray'] heading to South Dakota State and Nicalai Eisnmann going to St. Thomas.&nbsp; A libero to have on the radar right away is [player_tooltip player_id='435888' first='Georgia' last='House']. She plays the game with plenty of athleticism and physicality.&nbsp; She provides a clean first touch where she can make the tough plays look easy.&nbsp; Some attackers to have on the radar would be [player_tooltip player_id='815748' first='Leah' last='Vossekuil'], [player_tooltip player_id='807844' first='Amelia' last='Olson'], [player_tooltip player_id='497647' first='Charlotte' last='Hayes'], [player_tooltip player_id='509342' first='Adelyn' last='Merck'], and Mack Dawes.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->