The Fitz Five – Observations From Wisconsin Prep Dig Top 250

Over the course of about ten days, the Midwest is going to be a storm of volleyball.  With all eyes on the regional finals at the NCAA level at the University of Minnesota and the University of Illinois with Nebraska and Illinois punching their tickets to the final four, we were also able to host our first major event in Wisconsin with the Prep Dig Top 250 at the Milwaukee Sting Center before the volleyball world commences downtown Minneapolis for the AVCA Coaches Convention and Final Four.  Once again, a perfect storm (even if your team didn’t make it, still a great celebration of volleyball). Whenever I leave an event in Wisconsin, it always reminds me of how strong the volleyball community is regardless of what high school or club athletes play for. Here are five observations that will also be a look into what we’ll be writing about this upcoming week.

We’re rolling at Prep Dig Top 250 pic.x.com/oRYJYAKvpL

— Prep Dig Wisconsin (@PrepDigWI) December 9, 2018

Lots of Talented Seniors That Are Still Available

These Seniors would be a steal at the next level.  We had Kaylee Lorincz, Carissa Sundholm, Teah Roszkowiak, Maddie Crowley, Allysa Deates, and Grace Peyron showed why they are all collegiate level players.  They handle themselves with maturity, they play with great energy, they have the body language, and athleticism that is needed at the next level. These players were on some of the top teams in the state, with Peyron being on a state championship team.  Their ability to gel extremely well with athletes they aren’t accustomed to playing with is something that not everyone can do. So impressive to see them all compete and get after it.

The Energy

With over 100 athletes on eight courts at the Milwaukee Sting Center, it was loud.  Again, these athletes haven’t played with each other, and on a volleyball court with communication being so essential it can be a challenge to connect with teammates.  However, one aspect and universal language of communication that everyone can get behind is a great celebration. Players were cheering for each other for great swing, a good block, and a hustle play to keep the ball alive.  It didn’t matter what club they played for or that they may have been high school rivals. In the volleyball world, everyone supports each other and has respect for athletes giving their all, how can you not be excited about that?

Great energy, positional work ???????? pic.x.com/NnLrstZ0tU

— Prep Dig Wisconsin (@PrepDigWI) December 9, 2018

The Improvement

Depending on different schedules of the tournaments, camps, and matches that I attend I end up seeing some teams play often and others not.  All depends on the weekend. There were some athletes I hadn’t seen since Badger Region of last March. And wow! There are some athletes who I barely recognized in how much they had improved over the course of a few months.  Those 15 year olds who you could see were only a few reps away from putting it all together were hammering away Sunday morning. Those players who may have been 5’8 or 5’9 last year were now 5’11 making those hard swings and sets look easy are bound to have a breakout season for club.  For those who are still working on the setting footwork, the libero who is still working on a knee drive or the perfect platform in serve receive, and the middle working on the slide or constant footwork in transition - just remember it will click, it may not be tomorrow or next week, but it's definitely getting closer each time!

The Ability To Adjust

Playing with different players and players who are really good is just bound to make you better.  For some of these athletes, they knew who each other were, some of them have probably been playing against each other in Badger Region Events since they were 11 years old.  And now...they were on the same team. The beauty in a volleyball event like this is in order to get noticed, you need to be able to work with your teammates, hitters have to communicate with their setter, backrow defensive players have to be loud and take command of the court.  At the beginning, it can be a little awkward, but once that first big swing and kill happens, everyone celebrates together. These athletes respect the game, they are well coached, and this makes it easier for them to play with others who know the games. Hats off to to the coaches and parents who have gotten them to this point.

6 on 6 with competitive drills. Lots of these athletes have never played together and are showing so much energy and intensity! pic.x.com/TTep3ONMe2

— Prep Dig Wisconsin (@PrepDigWI) December 9, 2018

And a BIG Thank You

Last year Prep Dig Wisconsin was just getting off the ground, a land of unknown with a commitment to providing year round volleyball coverage to athletes of all levels.  Being able to meet the athletes, parents, club coaches, and college coaches this past weekend was a very humbling moment thinking how this all began a year ago. Wisconsin is so fortunate to have a volleyball community that is strong at all levels from the youth programs provided by local YMCA’s, Park and Rec, and The Badger Region all the way up to having three Division 1 schools in the NCAA Tournament with Marquette in the Sweet 16 and Wisconsin in the Elite Eight.  Thank you for supporting us along the way as we still commit to providing the top local year round volleyball coverage. We are ready to get the club previews started and the 2019 season to begin!