Winter Classic 17/18 Open Preview!

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In just three days one of the biggest early season tournaments in the area will be happening at the Wisconsin Center and that is the Winter Classic hosted by Wisconsin Juniors. Teams from 12s through 18s will be competing in many different divisions and the competition will be hot!</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 17s and 18s each have a club division but the open division is combined. This means some of the best teams in the state across two age groups will be battling it out over the two-day tournament. Here is a breakdown of who to watch in the 17/18 Open division!</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kokoro Volleyball from the North Country Region will be sending three teams to play in the Winter Classic. The other seven teams in this ten team open tournament are from Badger Region. Ranked 1st in the tournament is FC Elite 17-1 and with good reason. Setter<strong> Rachael Bohlman</strong> (Prep Dig Rank #44) is fast and smart. Libero <strong>Katharine Walch</strong> (Prep Dig Rank #43) has a lot of fire and is a fierce defender. Outside hitter<strong> Myka Roethel</strong> (Class of 2022, Prep Dig Watch List) is playing up two years and is a dynamic athlete. Rounded out with a strong roster of hitters, this team is definitely one of the teams to beat in this stacked tournament. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wisconsin Juniors 17-1 is ranked third and they have a stacked roster. Six of the nine athletes on their roster have a Prep Dig Rank. Outside hitters <strong>Olivia Dir</strong> (Prep Dig Rank #11) and<strong> Madeline Haines</strong> (Prep Dig Rank #25) are dynamic athletes who are both smart and powerful. Middle blocker <strong>Emily Alan</strong> (Prep Dig Rank #46) was a key player in Burlington’s Division 1 State Championship this year and has a lot to offer her team. Their other middle blocker <strong>Karina Lebe</strong>r (Prep Dig Rank #6, Committed to Colorado State) is a dynamic athlete who is nearly unstoppable on the net. Libero <strong>Amber Bischel</strong> (Prep Dig Rank #21) has a ton of grit and reads the opposing hitters extremely well. Setter <strong>Karlee Loi</strong> (Prep Dig Rank #16) orchestrates it all with great communication and leadership. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wisconsin Premier 18 Teal is ranked fourth in the tournament. Setter and middle blocker <strong>Keri Walker</strong> (Prep Dig Rank #21, Committed to Northern State) is an amazing asset to have on the team as is powerhouse outside hitter <strong>McKenna Packer</strong> (Prep Dig Rank #31, Committed to Lewis). Libero <strong>Taylor Ohm</strong> (Prep Dig Rank #76) is an amazing athlete who is fast and precise. This is a strong team who should play well this weekend. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Motion Volleyball 17 Blue is ranked sixth and has quite the roster of great hitters. Outside hitters <strong>Jessica Bagley</strong> (Prep Dig Rank #114) and <strong>Holly Reinke</strong> (Prep Dig Rank #50) are powerful and set up a strong block. The teams middle blockers and right side hitters are where it really excels though. Their MB and OPP hitters include <strong>Sarah Mattes</strong> (Prep Dig Rank #40), <strong>Sydney Burris</strong> (Prep Dig Rank #86),<strong> Nikki Censki</strong> (Prep Dig Rank #45) and <strong>Riley Kindt</strong> (Prep Dig Rank #39). Each athlete brings something unique. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Midwest Penguins 18 Black is ranked 8th and has a great flow on the court. Many athletes on this team have been together for years and it really shows. Setter <strong>Emma Ruckstadter</strong> (Prep Dig Rank #116) runs a smooth and quick offense. Outside hitters <strong>Hannah Siebert</strong> and <strong>Sophia Clinton-Ragonese</strong> are smart and powerful athletes who can place the ball and put up a solid block. Middle blocker <strong>Anna Rosner</strong> (Committed to UW-Lacrosse) is fast and dynamic and libero <strong>Alena Hester</strong> reads the ball well and puts up a solid defense. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">SWVBC 18s are ranked eighth. While their roster has yet to be submitted, they will likely be very competitive. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Royal 17s are ranked ninth. Setter <strong>Alayna Ritter</strong> (Prep Dig Rank #59) led her team to a Division III State Championship title in 2018 for the second year in a row. Libero <strong>Sydney Strum</strong> (Prep Dig Rank #59) is a gritty player who gets a touch on everything. Outside hitter <strong>Isabella Ledesma</strong> has a powerful swing and can hit great shots. <strong>Katie Pogodzinski</strong> (Prep Dig Rank #112) is a valuable middle to have on their team. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This 17/18 Open Division is sure to have some amazing match ups. This is going to be a highly competitive tournament and will be worth watching! There could be a huge shakeup in the rankings depending and many of the matches will likely be determined but only a few points. </span></p>