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Top Illinois 2028s Ready To Take on Prep Dig Gauntlet

Top Illinois 2028s Ready To Take on Prep Dig Gauntlet
Chris Fitzgerald
Chris Fitzgerald May 21, 2026 @ 12:00 PM
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In this article:

Lael Timbers-Ausar
Lael Timbers-Ausar MB | 2028
IL
Katy Zumerchik
Katy Zumerchik 5'10" | MB/OH | 2028
IL
Harper Neill
Harper Neill 5'9" | DS/L/S | 2028
IL
Tatum Kelly
Tatum Kelly 5'11" | S | 2028
IL
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Dig is running back the Gauntlet.&nbsp; Some of the top athletes in the Midwest will be going head to head in the Milwaukee area at the Prep Dig Gauntlet June 6-7.&nbsp; For the Class of 2028, this will be a big weekend as June 15 is the official start of their recruiting journey where they can be contacted by college coaches.&nbsp; Here are athletes from Illinois in the top 25 of the Class of 2028 who will be heading to the Gauntlet.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["484408"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a0b7e91678e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The top player from the Illinois Class of 2028 will be in the house with Tatum Kelly of 1st Alliance 16 Gold.&nbsp; Kelly is so fun to see commanding the court where she has shown she can score points and set at a high level.&nbsp; At the next level, Kelly will be a setter although she has shown she can score points as an attacker as well.&nbsp; She moves so well on the court, she gets her hands on the ball at a high rate allowing for her attackers to swing big.&nbsp; She can also push the tempo where she's able to feed the multiples in front and behind.&nbsp; This 1st Alliance 16 Gold squad has had a big 2026 where they most recently finished third at the Salt Lake Qualifier.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["546207"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a0b7e9167991"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Harper Neill of Sky High 16 Elite has always been so steady and consistent at the libero position.&nbsp; She has shown she can be efficient with her footwork and how she controls her platform.&nbsp; She has great touch on the ball where she is able to take pace off the ball which allows her setters to run the show.&nbsp; Sky High 16 Elite will be in the 16 Elite Division at the Prep Dig Gauntlet which will be hosted at the Sting Center.&nbsp; This will be an exciting group of 2028s to track through the summer recruiting period.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["750142"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a0b7e9167a07"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Attack 16 Select has been an upstart squad this 2026 season where they will be heading to USAV Nationals in Indy with a Freedom division bid.&nbsp; Zumerchik has a violent arm swing where she is going to put a hurt on the ball.&nbsp; She's not afraid to use the block either where she has been scoring points in bunches for her squad.&nbsp; This summer will be an exciting time for her to officially start her recruiting process where she could be a gamechanger at the next level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["951872"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a0b7e9167a80"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Absolutely electric.&nbsp; There is always something exciting bound to happen with Lael Timbers-Ausar enters the game.&nbsp; The middle blocker has been a standout for 1st Alliance 16 Silver who has put together a 52-11 record this season.&nbsp; They will head to nationals with a national level bid.&nbsp; Timbers-Ausar is touching over ten feet, her length and athleticism allows for her to cause a lot of issues for her opponents.&nbsp; They have to be aware of her when they attack and offensively she can run a variety of tempos to score points.&nbsp; I'm excited to see this team compete!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td></td><td colspan="4">Illinois Class of 2028 Top 25 Illinois Athletes To The Gauntlet</td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>State Rank</strong></td><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Height</strong></td><td><strong>Position</strong></td><td><strong>High School</strong></td><td><strong>Club Team</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>1</strong></td><td>Tatum Kelly</td><td>5'11"</td><td>S</td><td>Neuqua Valley</td><td>1st Alliance 16 Gold</td></tr><tr><td><strong>2</strong></td><td>Sage Olson</td><td>5'11"</td><td>S/RS</td><td>Lake Zurich</td><td>Sky High Adidas 17 Elite</td></tr><tr><td><strong>4</strong></td><td>Adelaide Bruns</td><td>6'0"</td><td>S/RS</td><td>Johnsburg</td><td>Sky High Adidas 16 Elite</td></tr><tr><td><strong>7</strong></td><td>Keira McQuillan</td><td>5'9"</td><td>OH/DS/L</td><td>Mother McAuley</td><td>1st Alliance 16 Gold</td></tr><tr><td><strong>8</strong></td><td>Sommer Shaw</td><td></td><td>MB</td><td>Chicago (Marist)</td><td>1st Alliance 16 Gold</td></tr><tr><td><strong>10</strong></td><td>Hope Garland</td><td>5'7"</td><td>DS/L</td><td>Montini Catholic</td><td>1st Alliance 16 Gold</td></tr><tr><td><strong>13</strong></td><td>Harper Neill</td><td>5'9"</td><td>DS/L/S</td><td>Palatine (Fremd)</td><td>Sky High Adidas 16 Elite</td></tr><tr><td><strong>14</strong></td><td>Alyson Cahill</td><td>6'0"</td><td>MB</td><td>Mother McAuley</td><td>1st Alliance 16 Gold</td></tr><tr><td><strong>15</strong></td><td>Katy Zumerchik</td><td>5'10"</td><td>MB/OH</td><td>Palos Hills (Stagg)</td><td>Attack VBC 16 Select</td></tr><tr><td><strong>16</strong></td><td>Ellery Cabaj</td><td>5'8"</td><td>S/DS/L</td><td>Downers Grove North</td><td>1st Alliance 16 Gold</td></tr><tr><td><strong>18</strong></td><td>Erin Bruce</td><td>6'0"</td><td>OH/DS/L</td><td>Carpentersville (Dundee-Crown)</td><td>Sky High Adidas 16 Elite</td></tr><tr><td><strong>19</strong></td><td>Lael Timbers-Ausar</td><td></td><td>MB</td><td>Chicago (Whitney Young)</td><td>1st Alliance 16 Silver</td></tr><tr><td><strong>23</strong></td><td>Kara Schubert</td><td>6'3"</td><td>MB</td><td>Grant Community</td><td>Sky High Adidas 16 Elite</td></tr><tr><td><strong>25</strong></td><td>Charlotte Shepherd</td><td>5'10"</td><td>S</td><td>Carmel Catholic</td><td>Wisconsin Juniors 16-1</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table -->

Prep Dig is running back the Gauntlet.  Some of the top athletes in the Midwest will be going head to head in the Milwaukee area at the Prep Dig Gauntlet June 6-7.  For the Class of 2028, this will be a big weekend as June 15 is the official start of their recruiting journey where they can be contacted by college coaches.  Here are athletes from Illinois in the top 25 of the Class of 2028 who will be heading to the Gauntlet. 

Tatum Kelly

Tatum Kelly

IL
S
HEIGHT 5'11"
POS S
CLASS 2028
View Player
​
Tatum
Kelly S
Class
2028
Height
5'11"
HS
Neuqua Valley
|
IL
Top Illinois 2028s Ready To Take on Prep Dig Gauntlet
The top player from the Illinois Class of 2028 will be in the house with Tatum Kelly of...
Written by Chris Fitzgerald
Read more at PrepDig.com
Prep Dig

Tatum Kelly

Instagram Twitter
State: Illinois
School: Neuqua Valley
Club: 1st Alliance VBC
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Harper Neill

Harper Neill

IL
DS/L/S
HEIGHT 5'9"
POS DS/L/S
CLASS 2028
View Player
​
Harper
Neill DS/L/S
Class
2028
Height
5'9"
HS
Palatine (Fremd)
|
IL
Top Illinois 2028s Ready To Take on Prep Dig Gauntlet
Harper Neill of Sky High 16 Elite has always been so steady and consistent at the libero position. ...
Written by Chris Fitzgerald
Read more at PrepDig.com
Prep Dig

Harper Neill

Instagram
State: Illinois
School: Palatine (Fremd)
Club: Sky High
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Katy Zumerchik

Katy Zumerchik

IL
MB/OH
HEIGHT 5'10"
POS MB/OH
CLASS 2028
View Player
​
Katy
Zumerchik MB/OH
Class
2028
Height
5'10"
HS
Palos Hills (Stagg)
|
IL
Top Illinois 2028s Ready To Take on Prep Dig Gauntlet
Attack 16 Select has been an upstart squad this 2026 season where they will be heading to USAV...
Written by Chris Fitzgerald
Read more at PrepDig.com
Prep Dig

Katy Zumerchik

Instagram
State: Illinois
School: Palos Hills (Stagg)
Club: Attack Volleyball Club
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Lael Timbers-Ausar

Lael Timbers-Ausar

IL
MB
POS MB
CLASS 2028
View Player
​
Lael
Timbers-Ausar MB
Class
2028
HS
Chicago (Whitney Young)
|
IL
Top Illinois 2028s Ready To Take on Prep Dig Gauntlet
Absolutely electric.  There is always something exciting bound to happen with Lael Timbers-Ausar enters the game.  The middle...
Written by Chris Fitzgerald
Read more at PrepDig.com
Prep Dig

Lael Timbers-Ausar

State: Illinois
School: Chicago (Whitney Young)
Club: 1st Alliance VBC
Subscribe below to view this player's evaluation

Highlights

Prep Dig

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