PD Champions Cup 16-18s – Big Performances, New Names

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Time for March Madness! The Prep Dig Champions Cup is back at the Community First Champion Center in Appleton where we have 99 teams in attendance.&nbsp; This morning featured the 16s-18s where I was looking for big plays, key moments, and athletes making an impact.&nbsp; Here is a look at some key performances as well as names to know throughout the morning.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:html --> <blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DGqxD1uRmx4/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;margin: 1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:99.375%;width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px);width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:16px"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DGqxD1uRmx4/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background:#FFFFFF;line-height:0;padding:0 0;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;width:100%" target="_blank"> <div style="flex-direction: row;align-items: center"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 40px;margin-right: 14px;width: 40px"></div> <div style="flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 100px"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 60px"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0"></div> <div style="height:50px;margin:0 auto 12px;width:50px"></div><div style="padding-top: 8px"> <div style="color:#3897f0;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:550;line-height:18px">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0"></div> <div style="flex-direction: row;margin-bottom: 14px;align-items: center"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px;flex-grow: 0;margin-right: 14px;margin-left: 2px"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 20px;width: 20px"></div> <div style="width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 2px solid transparent;border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom: 2px solid transparent"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto"> <div style="width: 0px;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right: 8px solid transparent"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4;flex-grow: 0;height: 12px;width: 16px"></div> <div style="width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left: 8px solid transparent"></div></div></div> <div style="flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center;margin-bottom: 24px"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 224px"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 144px"></div></div></a><p style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DGqxD1uRmx4/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by Prep Dig (@prepdig)</a></p></div></blockquote> <!-- /wp:html --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='247157' first='Sydney' last='Vannett'] - Heat 18 Flame</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heat 18 Flame was back to their winning ways, defending their homecourt on Saturday.&nbsp; This squad practices at the Community First Champion Center.&nbsp; They have plenty of attackers who can score points, but I was really impressed with their first contact that was sparked by [player_tooltip player_id='247157' first='Sydney' last='Vannett'].&nbsp; She is smooth with efficient footwork and a controlled platform. She will be playing at Lawrence University next year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Morgan Kopischke- [program_tooltip program_id='557038' first='Milwaukee' last='Juniors'] 16-1 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='557038' first='Milwaukee' last='Juniors'] 16-1 looked like a favorite to take the title on Sunday going 3-0 in pool play with a convincing win over top seed FVP G16 Regional.&nbsp; Lillian Bark is a really smooth libero who commands the backcourt.&nbsp; Another athlete to have on the radar for this team is setter [player_tooltip player_id='435903' first='Tatum' last='Jahns'] who can really spark the tempo and find a way for her attackers to terminate.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alana Mototla - 414 17 Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>414 17 Elite was looking sharp in their Milwaukee Bucks inspired green uniforms and they showed they were one of the top teams in the field with a 3-0 day one performance.&nbsp; Alana Motola is a six rotation outside hitter who can pack a punch with her swing, scoring points in a high volume.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='301989' first='Anna' last='Holzer'] - I AM VBC 18 Red&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='301989' first='Anna' last='Holzer'] was an exciting athlete to see this morning at the Prep Dig Champions Cup. She was a key piece to the I AM day one success where they went 3-0.&nbsp; She finds a way to hit the ball score and was able to score plenty of points.&nbsp; As a club, I AM VBC had a very successful day.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='504462' first='Mia' last='Powers'] - NSVBC U17 Select</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I would put [player_tooltip player_id='504462' first='Mia' last='Powers'] high on the radar for Class of 2026 middles.&nbsp; She brings plenty of physicality to the net where she is also a dominant blocker.&nbsp; This is a really athletic team out of the Madison area.&nbsp; Another athlete to know is [player_tooltip player_id='487008' first='Elise' last='Plaggemeyer'] who was lethal from the pin. Powers preps at Columbus High School and Plaggemeyer goes to Sauk Prairie.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='504461' first='Penny' last='Schell'] - Madtown 171 Select</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='504461' first='Penny' last='Schell'] can play six rotations and provides a lot of length in the front row for Madtown 171 Select. At 6'1, Schell is extremely dynamic, she's the type of player who makes positive things happen on the court.&nbsp; She can serve receive, defend, and score points.&nbsp; She is a junior at Abundant Life Christian.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='500491' first='Malia' last='Bodoh'] - [program_tooltip program_id='428659' first='Wisconsin' last='Blaze'] 17 Black&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Major hidden gem who no longer needs to be hidden.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='500491' first='Malia' last='Bodoh'] was hitting from the outside today for [program_tooltip program_id='428659' first='Wisconsin' last='Blaze'] and was looking like a next level athlete.&nbsp; She has the length and athleticism to put plenty of pace on the ball and was also highly efficient.&nbsp; She is from the Class of 2026 and will be rising in this class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513769' first='Grace' last='Schneider'] - [program_tooltip program_id='557038' first='Milwaukee' last='Juniors'] 17-1&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This lefty swings with zero fear.&nbsp; She was so explosive from the right side for [program_tooltip program_id='557038' first='Milwaukee' last='Juniors'] 17-1.&nbsp; Another bouncy athlete for this team was [player_tooltip player_id='777549' first='Eva' last='Klopotic'] who was real lethal from the outside.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='523124' first='Brooklyn' last='Kramas'] - [program_tooltip program_id='428662' first='Wisconsin' last='Ice'] 16 Purple&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='523124' first='Brooklyn' last='Kramas'], a sophomore from Marshfield High School provides quite a spark for her [program_tooltip program_id='428662' first='Wisconsin' last='Ice'] 16 Purple Team.&nbsp; She is an aggressive attacker with an ability to find the open court and was able to put plenty of pressure on the other side with her serve.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='755963' first='Leilah' last='Prichard'] - I AM VBC 16 Black&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='755963' first='Leilah' last='Prichard'] is a new name on my radar as she was a high impact player for I AM VBC 16 Black as an outside hitter.&nbsp; She is a high flyer who has solid hand contact and was able to find the split, hit the line, or go cross to light up the scoreboard for I AM.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='755513' first='Kate' last='Whitaker'] - Madtown 162 Select</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='755513' first='Kate' last='Whitaker'] plays with no fear and a knack for scoring. The outside hitter has quite the presence on the court, calling for the ball, always available to be an attacker in and out of system. This is an exciting team who found a lot of success this morning where they will look to do some damage in the gold bracket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Name</strong></td><td><strong>Club</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Alana Matola</td><td>414 17 Elite</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='737841' first='Emerson' last='Marshall']</td><td>414 17 Elite</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='755666' first='Lucy' last='Gray']</td><td>414 17 Elite</td></tr><tr><td>Anastasia Ratner</td><td>FVP 16G Regional</td></tr><tr><td>Madalynn Lautenschlager</td><td>FVP 16G Regional</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='453642' first='Dyonna' last='Kelly']</td><td>FVP 18G Regional</td></tr><tr><td>MaShya Seefeldt</td><td>FVP 18G Regional</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='247157' first='Sydney' last='Vannett']</td><td>Heat 18 Flame</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='739623' first='Opal' last='Sparkman']</td><td>Heat 18 Flame</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='486995' first='Alyssa' last='Rusch']</td><td>Heat 18 Flame</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='434920' first='Sierra' last='Hoeft']</td><td>I AM VBC 16 Black</td></tr><tr><td>Madelyn Able</td><td>I AM VBC 18 Red</td></tr><tr><td>Brooklyn Bartelt</td><td>I AM VBC 18 Red</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='301989' first='Anna' last='Holzer']</td><td>I AM VBC 18 Red</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='503793' first='Ashlin' last='Nottestad']</td><td>I AM VBC 18 Red</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='522024' first='Rylee' last='Anderson']</td><td>Madtown 161 Select</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='731945' first='Ava' last='Puls']</td><td>Madtown 161 Select</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='510461' first='Isabel' last='Hurd']</td><td>Madtown 162 Select</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='755513' first='Kate' last='Whitaker']</td><td>Madtown 162 Select</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='504461' first='Penny' last='Schell']</td><td>Madtown 171 Select</td></tr><tr><td>Lillian Bark</td><td>Milwaukee Juiors 16-1</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='435903' first='Tatum' last='Jahns']</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='557038' first='Milwaukee' last='Juniors'] 16-1</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='517341' first='Mikayla' last='Kolter']</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='557038' first='Milwaukee' last='Juniors'] 16-1</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='513769' first='Grace' last='Schneider']</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='557038' first='Milwaukee' last='Juniors'] 17-1</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='487008' first='Elise' last='Plaggemeyer']</td><td>NSVBC 17U Select</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='504462' first='Mia' last='Powers']</td><td>NSVBC 17U Select</td></tr><tr><td>Rachel Leary</td><td>NSVBC 17U Select</td></tr><tr><td>Lexianna Gindorff</td><td>NW Stars 17 Black</td></tr><tr><td>Hailey Socha</td><td>Spiketown 16.2</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='522334' first='Madelyn' last='Samuels']</td><td>Spiketown 16.2</td></tr><tr><td>Merri Wempner</td><td>Spiketown 18.2</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='817380' first='Nora' last='Pakula']</td><td>Spiketown 18.2</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='522046' first='Aubrey' last='Lokken']</td><td>WI Flight 16 Black</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='522041' first='Ashley' last='Gagas']</td><td>WI Flight 16 Black</td></tr><tr><td>Kendall Woystasik</td><td>WI Flight 16 Black</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='738462' first='Brianna' last='Sullivan']</td><td>WI Flight 17 Black</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='702738' first='Madison' last='LeBeau']</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='428659' first='Wisconsin' last='Blaze'] 17 Black</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='499172' first='Claire' last='Gerrits']</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='428659' first='Wisconsin' last='Blaze'] 17 Black</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='522604' first='Gracie' last='Buss']</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='428659' first='Wisconsin' last='Blaze'] 17 Black</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='522909' first='Alana' last='Van Wychen']</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='428659' first='Wisconsin' last='Blaze'] 17 Black</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='500491' first='Malia' last='Bodoh']</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='428659' first='Wisconsin' last='Blaze'] 18 Black</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='523124' first='Brooklyn' last='Kramas']</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='428662' first='Wisconsin' last='Ice'] 16 Purple</td></tr><tr><td>Sylvi Berklund</td><td>[program_tooltip program_id='428662' first='Wisconsin' last='Ice'] 16 Purple</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table -->