"Out of State" 2025s Heading To The NSIC

Things are beginning to fall into place for the Class of 2025. Many of these athletes are wrapping up their commitments to the next level before their senior season of high school volleyball begins. With more commits, the more we can deep dive into where athletes are going and tracking some patterns. Today I'm looking at the "Out of State" athletes who are heading to the Northern Sun Conference, one of the top D2 volleyball conferences in the country. Iowa has one D2 school in Upper Iowa who was a member of the NSIC, but is now with the GLVC. Wisconsin's lone D2 school is Parkside in Kensoha, WI and is part of the GLIAC. This makes Iowa and Wisconsin a recruiting battle ground for the rest of the NSIC where these schools have greatly benefitted from athletes in these two states. Let's take a look at who is heading to the NSIC.       The Iowa City Liberty prep is continuing the pipeline to St. Cloud State where the Huskies have benefitted from highly talented Iowa athletes. Kenzie Foley is the reigning D2 Player of the Year who prepped at Sergeant-Bluff Luton. SCSU currently has Foley, Shelby Kimm (Iowa City Liberty), Carlie Willis (Grundy Center), and Kinsey Mohwinkle (Aplington-Parkersburg). Hildebrand will be a do it all type setter who can pass, block, and swing. She has been a huge piece of the success for Liberty and [program_tooltip program_id='431948' first='Iowa' last='Rockets'] where she is utilized in multiple ways. Her skillset is just different and will be a huge addition in St. Cloud.       Another setter heading to the NSIC is [player_tooltip player_id='178226' first='Madison' last='Tripp']. Tripp will be a key piece for Bemidji State where she has such a high IQ for the game. She knows what the one on one matchup is for her attackers, but whenever she jump sets she is always a threat to score points. She has been on the top team for [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] out of Appleton her entire career. She is accustomed to high level training and competition. The Beavers had a big year in 2023 and followed it up with a solid incoming 2025 recruiting class.       [program_tooltip program_id='428672' first='Milwaukee' last='Sting'] athletes are no stranger to Minnesota-Duluth. The Bulldogs currently have three Sting alums in Mary Satori (Manitowoc-Lincoln), Georgia Koscielak (Whitefish Bay), and Elyse Karrels (Port Washington). Aslakson will be a senior at Sussex Hamilton High School in suburban Milwaukee where she had a huge junior season that included a trip to the state tournament and a sweet sixteen appearance in the 17 National Division in Vegas with MKE Sting 17 Black. Aslakson brings physicality to the middle blocker position where she knows how to close a block and score points.       Lerseth really soared up the radar in the past year which has landed her at the University of Sioux Falls. She has been on very successful teams in her career being a part of the Iowa PowerPlex 17 Mendieta team this past club season and is one of the top players for Indianola High School where they were the 2023 Class 4A runner up finishers in Iowa. She is a spark at the libero position where she always finds a way to be in the right spot at the right time. She is one the opposing side will avoid in serve receive and will find a way to take pace off a hard swing and pick up the tips and roll shots. She is building for a big season where her high school squad is loaded with college commits.       Speaking of teammates of [player_tooltip player_id='215469' first='Maci' last='Lerseth'], [player_tooltip player_id='215468' first='Makenzie' last='Sloan'] has been able to play on the same side of the net where they have teamed up for plenty of wins. Sloan will be heading to Southwest Minnesota State where they have been very successful with Iowa recruits. They currently have Saari Kuehl (Gladbrook-Reinbeck) and Josie Pundt (Johnston) on their roster. Sloan really soared on the radar for me at the Iowa State Tournament in 2023. She was really strong being able to hit the fast tempo out of the middle and is really strong attacking off one foot. Sloan and Indianola will be ready for what could be a huge season as they bump up to Iowa's largest division in Class 5A.       What a scrappy athlete. [player_tooltip player_id='523160' first='Lily' last=''] Shields preps at Newman Catholic out of Wausau, WI where they were the D4 state runner up finishers in 2023 and will be looking for a big finish in 2024. Shields can play any position, but she will be heading to the next level as a defensive specialist/libero. Her ability to serve receive at a high level is what sets her apart. She has great anticipation and footwork which allows her platform to do the work. Winona State is another program who has done well with Wisconsin athletes in their program. Graduate Senior Sydney Paulsen out of West Bend West and [program_tooltip program_id='428672' first='Milwaukee' last='Sting'] has had a huge career as a Warrior.       [player_tooltip player_id='229533' first='Isabella' last='Vander Velden'] will be joining her club teammate [player_tooltip player_id='178226' first='Madison' last='Tripp'] at Bemidji State. With plenty of length, athleticism, and physicality Vander Velnden is used as a right side and middle blocker during the club season and could see some time as an outside hitter during the high school season. She preps at Luxembug-Casco which is always a top program in Wisconsin. The recruiting momentum is definitely strong for Bemidji State. The athletes heading there from Wisconsin have traditionally performed very well and will look to break into the next tier of the NSIC.       What an athlete. Foor has been a major standout at Prep Dig Showcases and Tournaments which is where she really jumped out on the radar for me. The leaping ability of Foor is at a high level, literally. She flys off the floor and is able to score points from the outside and the backrow. She preps at La Crosse Aquinas and plays for Elevate Volleyball Club out of Tomah, Wisconsin which is starting to build plenty of momentum with top players out of Western Wisconsin. Minnesota State Mankato is looking to break into the next tier of the NSIC and is a preseason pick to finish 8th in the conference.       Another Kaukauna High School and [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] prep is [player_tooltip player_id='249638' first='Boe' last='Kaschner'] who will be heading West to Wayne State. Kaschner and Bemidji State commit [player_tooltip player_id='178226' first='Madison' last='Tripp'] will team up one last season on the high school court and will then be opponents in the college ranks. Kaschner was a key piece to the [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 17 White team this past season where she is one other teams will avoid serving at. She is so steady in serve receive, has quick feet to get to the ball, and can put up a great second ball.

Things are beginning to fall into place for the Class of 2025. Many of these athletes are wrapping up their commitments to the next level before their senior season of high school volleyball begins. With more commits, the more we can deep dive into where athletes are going and tracking some patterns. Today I'm looking at the "Out of State" athletes who are heading to the Northern Sun Conference, one of the top D2 volleyball conferences in the country. Iowa has one D2 school in Upper Iowa who was a member of the NSIC, but is now with the GLVC. Wisconsin's lone D2 school is Parkside in Kensoha, WI and is part of the GLIAC. This makes Iowa and Wisconsin a recruiting battle ground for the rest of the NSIC where these schools have greatly benefitted from athletes in these two states. Let's take a look at who is heading to the NSIC.