2026 Club Profile: Monsters 16 Elite Black

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A club team having a really nice season in 2026 is Monsters 16 Elite Black.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team has been playing in a variety of levels, finishing in the top 10 in nearly all and in the top 5 in four events.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the makeup of this squad, which is coached by Eric Wachterhauser.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Leadership Positions</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monsters is rolling with a single setter on this roster in 2028 prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='887818' first='Madison' last='Jewell']</strong>. She's very comfortable in the role and isn't afraid to be aggressive and try out new things on the court. Jewell has produced a lot of good swings out of her hitters and looks like she has a bright future at the position. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='765793' first='Maya' last='Lorenzo'] </strong>takes on the libero role alongside defender <strong>Kate Sadler</strong>. Both make clean digs and are comfortable in their technique and positioning on serve receive. They work well with Jewell to help keep the offense moving.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Outsides Can Turn The Corner</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monsters has some agile hitters on the outside, each that can dial up the intensity when the team needs a boost. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='832385' first='Grace' last='Waske'] </strong>has a lot of power in her swing and she shows steady play on defense. <strong>Payton Hill </strong>is listed at 5'10”, but plays a lot longer at the net, as she can get to the ball at the peak of her jump. <strong>Ella Phelps </strong>has a very athletic swing and she can find another gear at the end that helps her put the ball away at a strong rate. <strong>Brooklyn Dudde </strong>is a right side that stays ready and active at the net. She's able to finish points just through her awareness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Agile Middles</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the middle, Jewell has developed nice connections with her hitters. They are able to stay light on their feet and finish with nice slide attacks and quick strikes. <strong>Charlea Revere, Ashtyn Hughes </strong>and <strong>Jessica Chism </strong>all bring their strengths to the position. Chism has a really nice follow through on her attack and she can slide to the right side when needed. Revere has really put on some impressive slide attacks, as she moves with a lot of quickness. Hughes has a lot of spring off the floor, which makes her attacks almost unstoppable when she's locked in with Jewell.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Expectations</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things are going well for this squad with a couple of months left in the season. They haven't quite won a championship yet, but it could very well happen in upcoming May events. This team has a lot of versatility and a lot of chemistry. They aren't relying on just one option to win, which helps them compete against any opponent across the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->