Wisconsin Teams Playing in the Nike President's Day Classic

Over thirty Badger Region teams will be making the trek down to Saint Louis this weekend for the Nike President’s Day Classic. This is a competitive tournament that offers three divisions at each age level. While all of the divisions are sure to be competitive, the most competitive is open, then premier, then club. Wisconsin teams will be represented in nearly every division at the tournament. Here are some clubs and teams to look for: Capital Volleyball Academy Capital is sending 10 teams across five age groups to this tournament. 18 Adidas - 18 Open A lot can be said about this 18’s team. They are talented across the board but truly excel in the front row. Kiana Schmitt (Prep Dig Rank #1, Committed to Creighton) and Sopheea Mink (Prep Dig Rank #14, Committed to High Point) are middle blockers who are nearly impenetrable. I am excited to see libero Sarah Malone (Prep Dig Rank #52, Uncommitted) play in the back row as she is fast and consistent. This team should compete well in the open division and have some great competition. 17 Adidas - 17 Open This is a very well rounded team, all led by setter Ella Foti (Prep Dig Rank #8), a sophomore committed to Marquette University. Outside hitters KJ McNabb (Prep Dig Rank #8, Committed to Loyola) and Milla Malik (Prep Dig Rank #9, Committed to Buffalo) are dynamic athletes who can play all six rotations and are a threat to any opponent. Libero/DS Amelia Hust (Prep Dig Rank #86, Uncommitted) is great in the back row and should be very effective this weekend against some great teams. 17 Navy - 17 Club Capital has strong teams at every level. Libero Ainsley Apel (Prep Dig Rank #59, Uncommitted) is a great leader with a lot to offer her team. She is a dynamic back row player and all-around athlete. Setters Lizzy Fortune (Prep Dig Rank #80, Uncommitted) and Sam Miller (Prep Dig Rank #120, Uncommitted) run the court extremely well. With a strong front row, Lizzy and Sam can run a fast offense. 16 Adidas - 16 Open Payton Addink is a 6’1” (Prep Dig Rank #10, Uncommitted) outside hitter with huge potential. As the quiet period for recruiting comes to a close, she will definitely be on coaches watch lists. Setter and right side Josie Halbleib (Prep Dig Rank #11, Uncommitted) will also be high on the list for college coaches to watch. She is 6’2” and an insanely dynamic athlete. Middle blockers Maia Johnson (Prep Dig Rank #61, Uncommitted) and Maggie Allaman (Prep Dig Rank #49, Uncommitted) are great in the front row and have a lot of power. 16 Navy - 16 Club This team should do very well in their division. This is a strong team with quite a bit of experience on their hands despite being only 16. Setter Mariah Best (Prep Dig Rank #88, Uncommitted) is dynamic and has a lot of potential. Libero/DS Maria Higgins (Prep Dig Rank #78, Uncommitted) is scrappy and fun to watch. Gretchen Warner (Prep Dig Rank #95, Uncommitted) is a 6’0 middle hitter/right side who is a great all-around athlete. Capital is also sending all three of their 15’s teams. While I have not had the opportunity to see them play yet, I can’t wait to get some coverage on them and see them throughout the weekend! Milwaukee Sting Sting is sending several teams to the Nike President’s Day Classic including five teams at the 15 and older age levels. 17 Black - 17 Open The middles on this team are extremely powerful. Carly Clausen (Prep Dig Rank #32, Uncommitted), Hailey Grocholski (Prep Dig Rank #73, Uncommitted), and Abby Wucherer (Prep Dig Rank #77, Uncommitted) are all very impactful players who bring a lot to the court every time they are playing. Setters Isabelle Schauer (Prep Dig Rank #29, Uncommitted) and Lahni Palmer (Prep Dig Rank #78, Uncommitted) run an efficient court and are supported by libero and defensive specialists Rylee Vaughn (Prep Dig Rank #38, Uncommitted) and Gianna Feld (Prep Dig Rank #70, Uncommitted). This is an all-around strong team. 17 White - 17 Premier This is a well-rounded team with a lot of talent. Middle blocker Kyah Golding (Prep Dig Rank 87, Uncommitted) can pound a ball and puts up a strong block as well. Setters Karli Johnson (Prep Dig Rank #133, Uncommitted) and Addison Preston (Prep Dig Rank #153, Uncommitted) have a lot of experience and are good leaders on their team. Libero Clara Hoeksema is fast and puts up great passes to support the offense. 16 Black - 16 Open I am excited to see how this team does in the open division this weekend. My guess is they will be extremely successful. This is a team with a lot of fire: both physically and mentally. Outside hitters Kayla Lewinski (Prep Dig Rank #24, Uncommitted), Kaitlyn Bingham (Prep Dig Rank #55, Uncommitted), and Bella Bratzke (Prep Dig Rank #34, Uncommitted) are all unique but powerful hitters who are fun to watch. Amanda Viel (Prep Dig Rank #53, Uncommitted) and Isabella Halcomb (Prep Dig Rank #31, Uncommitted) defend the back row fiercely and rarely let a ball drop. Nearly every athlete on this team deserves a shoutout because they are all strong athletes. If you are in Saint Louis, definitely stop by their court! 16 White - 16 Premier The depth at this age level is truly impressive. Outside hitters Sammie Seib (Prep Dig Rank #30, Uncommitted), Elle Truckenbrod (Prep Dig Rank #23, Uncommitted), and Sydney Stadler (Prep Dig Rank #87, Uncommitted) are dynamic athletes with powerful swings. This team really excels in having great all-around athletes. Setters Janelle Stuempfig (Prep Dig Rank #47, Uncommitted) and Savanna Carleton (Prep Dig Rank #104, Uncommitted) move the ball around well and are very smart with their sets. Monica LaFleur (Prep Dig Rank #46, Uncommitted) is a great middle who can hit a wide variety of shots. 15 Black - 15 Premier This team runs a very fast offense which helps them win tough matches. Setters Katie Gund (Prep Dig Rank #38, Uncommitted) and Tatum Baldwin can push the ball pin to pin and aren’t afraid to make tough sets to throw off the opponent’s defense. This team also excels defensively with two very strong libero/defensive specialists, Sophie Illman and Aerene Lim. They are both fast and have a lot of energy. Motion Motion is sending a team at each the 15’s - 17’s levels. 17 Blue - 17 Premier This is a strong team. They placed well in the JVA MKE Jamboree and have a lot of firepower. Their middle blockers and right side hitters, Sarah Mattes (Prep Dig Rank #33, Uncommitted), Nikki Censki (Prep Dig Rank #54, Uncommitted), Sydney Burris (Prep Dig Rank #106, Uncommitted), and Riley Kindt (Prep Dig Rank #47, Uncommitted) have a huge impact on their offense and put up great blocks. Setters Emily Wendt (Prep Dig Rank #42, Uncommitted) and Nicole Pozorski (Prep Dig Rank #34, Uncommitted) move the ball around well and have great hands. 16 Blue - 16 Premier This is a fun team to watch. They run a fast offense and can put pressure on even the toughest of teams. Setters Katelyn Lefler (Prep Dig Rank #41, Uncommitted) and Chloee Epker (Prep Dig Rank #57, Uncommitted) are fast and great leaders. They have a lot of defensive support from Ava Van Der Ploeg and Kallissa Jaeger (Prep Dig Rank #131, Uncommitted) in the back row. Each of the hitters brings consistency and power to the court. Their 15 Blue team will be playing in the 15 Premier division. I have yet to see them play and am excited to get content on the athletes! Wisconsin Juniors There are quite a few Wisconsin Juniors teams attending this jam-packed tournament. They are sending three teams at the 15’s level. It will be fun to see the class of 2022 come out in full strength this weekend. I haven’t seen Wisconsin Juniors teams at any tournaments yet this year, though I have seen players during high school season or past clubs seasons. I am excited to see all of their teams play. Their 17 Elite team will be playing in the 17 Club division, 16-1 in the 16 Premier, and 16 Elite in the 16 Club division. Epic Epic is sending seven different teams to Saint Louis this weekend from the 15’s - 17’s age levels. They will have an impressive showing across different divisions and should do well. This is another club that I haven't had the opportunity to see much of yet, so I can’t wait to see all of their teams play! Look for more coverage on them in the weeks to come! Midwest Penguins 16 Black will also be in Saint Louis and is ranked #1 in the 16 Premier Division. Crossfire VBC is sending their 18 Blaze team to the 18 Club division this weekend. The Badger Region will have quite the showing at the Nike President’s Day Classic and it should be an amazing weekend of volleyball for everyone involved!