Resolution’s Bounce Back Teams

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 Prep Dig Resolution tournament once again brought intense competition to Appleton. While some teams dominated from the first serve, others had to dig deep and find their rhythm after initial setbacks to finish the weekend strong. These "Bounce Back" teams displayed the resilience and grit that define championship character, turning early challenges into Day 2 successes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at the teams that refused to stay down and made their mark in brackets other than Gold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Milwaukee Jr's 17-1's</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Milwaukee Jr's 17-1's faced a gauntlet of opponents in the 17/18 Open division, including a tough matchup against [program_tooltip program_id='431537' first='Midwest' last='Penguins'] 18-1. Despite the heavy hitting from the other side of the net, this squad showed remarkable defensive tenacity. Entering the tournament as the 12th seed, they embraced the challenge, using Day 1 as a learning experience to tighten their block and transition game. [player_tooltip player_id='515600' first='Sophia' last='Wendt'] was a lockdown blocker on day 2, and [player_tooltip player_id='435901' first='Piper' last='Graham'] added an extra spark to the offense. Their ability to regroup and compete against top-tier 18s teams highlights their potential for the remainder of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Heat 18 Flame</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Competing in the 17/18s Club division, Heat 18 Flame demonstrated that they can heat up when it counts. After navigating day 1's 3-team pool, the squad found its stride. The roster, featuring key contributors like [player_tooltip player_id='708829' first='Halle' last='Stern'], [player_tooltip player_id='739565' first='Jada' last='Cordy'], and [player_tooltip player_id='523188' first='Lucy' last='Jolin'], relied on balanced scoring and aggressive serving to turn the tide. [player_tooltip player_id='523186' first='Avery' last='Hietpas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='739518' first='Riley' last='Danes'] provided stability. With depth provided by [player_tooltip player_id='739623' first='Opal' last='Sparkman'], Heat proved they have the pieces to get the job done.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 18 White</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 18 White is a team loaded with talent that knows how to respond to adversity. The roster includes dynamic athletes such as [player_tooltip player_id='828256' first='Josephine' last='Brozek'] and [player_tooltip player_id='521927' first='Payton' last='Schaefer'], who anchor the defense and net play. [player_tooltip player_id='500215' first='Gracie' last='Hartjes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='521933' first='Alivia' last='Barker'] provided an offensive spark, while setter Madison Lebeau orchestrated the offense with precision. Their performance in Appleton showed that even when matches get tight, this group has the composure to battle back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTYxJSlDxPH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_linku0026amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"instagram","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTYxJSlDxPH/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 17 Blue</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another strong entry from [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] was their 17 Blue team. They showcased their "next ball" mentality throughout the weekend. Key players like Korin Hendricks and [player_tooltip player_id='521919' first='Azlyn' last='Fulcer'] were instrumental in keeping the energy high. The defensive efforts of [player_tooltip player_id='435880' first='Analise' last='Coon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='726841' first='Claire' last='Theunis'] kept rallies alive, frustrating opponents and allowing the offense to capitalize on transition opportunities. [player_tooltip player_id='622967' first='Meghan' last='Loberg'] and Isabelle Van Dyke also made significant contributions at the net, helping the team navigate the competitive 17/18 Club field and finish on a high note.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Keweenaw VBC 16</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Traveling down from the Upper Peninsula, Keweenaw VBC 16 proved that they are road warriors ready for a fight. Competing in the 16 Club division, they faced a diverse array of teams and had three 3-set battles on day 1. Despite the long travel and stiff competition, the team showed excellent chemistry and fight. Their ability to adjust to different styles of play over the course of the two-day event speaks volumes about their coaching and preparation. They return north, battle-tested against some of Wisconsin's top clubs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428662' first='Wisconsin' last='Ice'] 15 National</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428662' first='Wisconsin' last='Ice'] 15 National came into the Resolution looking to get challenged and build momentum. The roster is stacked with promising 2029 and 2030 talent, including [player_tooltip player_id='522129' first='Madelyn' last='Jansen'], Emery Wiesman, and [player_tooltip player_id='918849' first='Keira' last='Clerveaux']. Lily Janis-Cardenas and [player_tooltip player_id='898828' first='Mallory' last='Stencil'] provided consistent play, while Jazlyn Kurth and [player_tooltip player_id='522133' first='Khloe' last='Olson'] brought energy to the court. This squad showed they can bounce back from set losses to take control of matches, a trait that will serve them well in future qualifiers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>FeVA 15U (Khris)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Representing Features Volleyball Academy, the 15U Blue team showed significant growth over the weekend. "Bounce back" was the theme for this group as they adjusted to the pace of the tournament. The team's improvement from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon was evident, as they began to connect better on offense and scramble more effectively on defense. Their resilience in the consolation brackets highlighted a squad that is buying into their system and refusing to give away easy points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->