Sharp ’24 Setters who lead in the Winter Classic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 Winter Classic hosted by [program_tooltip program_id='431479' first='Wisconsin' last='Juniors'] in Milwaukee took place over the weekend bringing in some competitive talent from Illinois and Wisconsin. Whether it was their first weekend of gameplay or not, these 2024 setters assisted in leading their team to a top ten finish in the joined 17/18 open division at the Milwaukee City Center. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='135977' first='Kaitlyn' last='Dumpit']- Fusion 17 Gino</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='135977' first='Kaitlyn' last='Dumpit'] showed just how well she can handle some heavy competition this weekend in Milwaukee. As a setter who takes the offensice reins in the back row, Dumpit is not afraid to show off her IQ and ability to transfer a ball from pin to pin. Her great decision making is always giving her hitters the opportunity to find holes against some big blocks. Equally important, she has very quick and efficient feet which help her get her hands on any ball, putting up a consistent tempo to her pins. Whether the pass is in the pocket or 12 feet off the net, she connected with her middles over the weekend every chance she had. Dumpit was a huge piece of her team's success and assisted in bringing home a third-place finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='295394' first='Katie' last='Mercure']- [program_tooltip program_id='431479' first='Wisconsin' last='Juniors'] 17-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mercure is a 5'10” athlete who shows how much she loves to take control of her team's offense and instills confidence into each hitter she is on the court with. Leading into this weekend, she showed how dynamic she could be as well as how well she can track her teammate's passes. With her great ability to track her each pass, she takes the opportunity to better the ball and isn't afraid to be aggressive. Additionally, she plays very disciplined and shows it when getting her hips squared to the pin to lead her hitters into each swing they take. Mercure helped bring her team to a fourth-place finish over the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='144911' first='Ava' last='Kharitou']- [program_tooltip program_id='432160' first='[program_tooltip program_id='432076' first='[program_tooltip program_id='430137' first='[program_tooltip program_id='429142' first='MVP' last='']' last='']' last='']' last=''] 17 Blue</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Talk about a player who enjoys fighting for her team. Ava plays with enthusiasm and is selfless in the way she loves to celebrate her teammate's success. She is a very dynamic and athletic player who has a passion to execute every time she gets her hands on the ball. Her back-row defense is aggressive and controlled, extending rallies for her team. Kharitou is a fun player to watch, you don't want to miss where she will take her team this season. This early in the season, she was not holding back from showing off the kind of athlete and teammate she is by leading her team to an impressive 5th-place finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245013' first='Lucy' last='Russ']- 1st Alliance 17 Black</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Russ is a competitor in every aspect of the game and showed that at [program_tooltip program_id='431479' first='Wisconsin' last='Juniors'] Winter Classic in Milwaukee. [player_tooltip player_id='245013' first='Lucy' last='Russ'] was the piece of the puzzle that led her team to a top-ten finish in 17/18 open this weekend. After leading IC Catholic Prep down to the state tournament, Lucy never stops fighting. Running the 5-1 for 1^st Alliance 17 Black, she takes control of the court with more than just her play. Her energy leads her team and hitters to be confident and execute with each set she gives her hitters. Adding to her impressive attitude, her volleyball IQ and athleticism make her an elite all-around setter who will continue to lead her team toward some big finishes this coming season.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->