Winter Classic 17/18 Open Athletes To Recruit

The Winter Classic in Milwaukee is always a good opening barometer for teams as they start a new season.  We're going to zoom in on the 17/18 Open Division to take a look at some athletes that colleges might want to look at to start their recruiting journey.  Let the games begin!     Seeing Wollman this high school season was impressive.  She is a standout libero from the Class of 2027 where her range is what really stands out to me. She can serve receive over half the court, can defend left back and middle back where she anticipates and reads well.  Her first contact will be key to the success of Sting 17 Gold.  There are a lot of attackers who can score points and when they are in system, they will be tough to stop.      Another athlete who had a breakout high school season was [player_tooltip player_id='388454' first='Paige' last='Proefrock'].  She led Grafton High School to a runner up finish in D2, being named All State among her many post season awards.  The six rotation outside hitter has plenty of explosiveness.  What is tough about her is that if the defense takes away one angle she is going to find another one to score.  She can also be moved in different offensive combos to hit out of the gap and out of the middle.  This I AM Volleyball squad has played together for quite a few years and early season chemistry could be a big difference maker.      There is a [player_tooltip player_id='769585' first='Camryn' last='Boyd'] on the roster of Fusion 17 National who brings plenty of power as an attacker.  She would be someone to send a camp invite to because she's only a 2029.  She was able to see quality time on the varsity courts for South Elgin High School.  She hits a heavy ball that is tough for the defenders to keep in system.  Playing against athletes who are older will be exciting for Boyd as she has an exciting path ahead.      [player_tooltip player_id='443066' first='Joelle' last='Pye-Blacknard'] brings plenty of all around skills and athleticism to the court for Fusion.  She is a new addition to this squad and will be looked at to contribute in a variety of ways. This past high school season for Naperville North she showed the ability to score points on the pin where she knows how to use all of the shots going line, cross, and off speed. This could be a big club season for Joelle where she is definitely a next level player.      She can score points and block on the pin.  [player_tooltip player_id='807844' first='Amelia' last='Olson'] is a 2027 outside/right side player who can be utilized in a variety of ways.  She was one of the top point scorers for Brookfield East this past fall where she averaged nearly three kills per set and led her team with over 60 total blocks.  What is impressive about her play is that she is dynamic.  Things don't need to be perfect for her in order to execute.  There are some new pieces to this Sting 17 Black team and I'm excited to see how it all comes together, plenty of talent and exciting athletes to keep on the radar.      [player_tooltip player_id='515600' first='Sophia' last='Wendt'] will be suiting up for [program_tooltip program_id='557038' first='Milwaukee' last='Juniors'] 17-1 and I'm really excited to see what is ahead for her this 2026 season.  She preps at Kettle Moraine Lutheran where she demonstrates athleticism and physicality out of the middle.  She can run the slide, a quick tempo shoot, and is quick above the net with her block.  Dynamic would be a great word for her style of play as she is one to watch all across the net.      Multidimensional! [player_tooltip player_id='435883' first='Bella' last='Kaldor'] does so many positive things that tilt in favor of her side of the net.  She had nearly 500 assists and over 100 kills for her high school squad this past season.  For 2026, she's playing for [program_tooltip program_id='557038' first='Milwaukee' last='Juniors'] 17-1 where there are some recognizable names that college coaches will need to keep tabs on.  Kaldor is the type who can improve the overall play of any gym.      [player_tooltip player_id='510488' first='Camden' last='Smith'] will be suiting up for [program_tooltip program_id='431479' first='Wisconsin' last='Juniors'] 17-1 this season.  This will be an exciting team for college coaches to be on the baseline for this 2026 season.  Smith is fundamentally sound in all aspects as a middle.  She knows how to close her block on the pins while getting out and transitioning to be an available attacker.  She knows how to score off multiple tempos.  Watching her block against an opposing middle you can tell she is well trained at getting her hands across the net to take away the attackers angles.      Wisconsin Elite will have two teams in action for the 17/18 Open Division at the Winter Classic this weekend.  An athlete to watch would be libero [player_tooltip player_id='487032' first='Willow' last='Braun'] who is a 2027 libero who preps at Nicolet High School.  She has great anticipation where she beats the ball to the spot, yet maintains control.  From platform control to bringing calm to the chaos, she knows how to get the offense rolling while also putting up a clean second ball for her attackers out of system.      [player_tooltip player_id='931778' first='Kate' last='Lathers'] is a new addition to [program_tooltip program_id='429175' first='VC' last='United'] out of Rockford, Illinois.  She has previously played in Florida and will be setting at [program_tooltip program_id='429175' first='VC' last='United'] in 2026.  From her multiple highlight videos she demonstrates great footwork that allows a clean release.  She has great hands, a knack for what attackers are open, and will be an exciting spark for this group.

The Winter Classic in Milwaukee is always a good opening barometer for teams as they start a new season. We're going to zoom in on the 17/18 Open Division to take a look at some athletes that colleges might want to look at to start their recruiting journey. Let the games begin!