NIT Notebook - "NEW" IA, IL, and WI 2028s On The Radar

The mission Saturday morning was to see as many 16s as I could going from wall to wall at the Bartle Hall Convention Center in Downtown Kansas City. Triple Crown is always a buzz on that first morning with college coaches seeing their commits while also checking out what talent is up and coming.  I was able to see plenty of the Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin squads compete where there are some athletes who you can put on the fast track to watching more this qualifier season. Who are the NEW ones we can put on the list?    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/02/RG1A0465.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-947434" style="aspect-ratio:1.5014953078271631;width:440px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='702737' first='Alena' last='Schaack']</figcaption></figure>    I didn't get a chance to see [player_tooltip player_id='702737' first='Alena' last='Schaack'] play live this high school season, so seeing her get on the court for Iowa Premier 16-1 was exciting. There is a dynamic style of play she brings to the middle blocker position. She is a quick leaper, electric from pin to pin with her block, and is able to transition to connect with setter [player_tooltip player_id='545946' first='Addison' last='Waldorf']. She is a tough matchup for the other side of the net where she can spread the defense thin with her ability to score from various spots in the front line.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/02/RG1A0487.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-947435" style="aspect-ratio:1.5014953078271631;width:467px;height:auto"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='780104' first='Isabella' last='Ricketts']</figcaption></figure>    There was a scrappiness and grit to the game of [player_tooltip player_id='780104' first='Isabella' last='Ricketts'] of Sports Performance 16 Elite. The 2028 libero is well trained with her positioning on the court where she can get a clean first contact. She can handle a high volume in serve receive and put up a nice second ball out of system. Sports Performance 16 Elite will be heading to two major Louisville events this season where they will continue to compete at a high level with Bluegrass and JVA World Challenge.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/02/RG1A0496-crop-3188x2093-1771448010.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-947437" style="width:430px;height:auto"/></figure>    There is a lot of promise in the game of [player_tooltip player_id='768821' first='Sara' last='Gilio'] who is an outside hitter from Sports Performance 16 Elite. She was able to showcase a nice flop serve that gave the other side of the net problems. On the outside she was able to show some range. She knows how to turn on the ball and hit line while also being able to go sharp cross. There is a strong all around game to her while she has a diverse set of skills. She is one to have on the radar among 2028s in Illinois.     I definitely remember watching [player_tooltip player_id='543387' first='Evie' last='Mounce'] last year for [program_tooltip program_id='430006' first='Illini' last='Elite'], seeing her quarterback her 16 Cardinal squad. There is a presence she brings to the court, she's got a spark and a fire. She can run a 5-1 where she knows how to run her middles or hold the opposing middle and shoot it to the outside. Like all [program_tooltip program_id='430006' first='Illini' last='Elite'] setters, she's well trained with great footwork and hands where she knows how to handle all the tempos.     That's a yes in my book. The Class of 2028 middle blocker who preps at Tolono Unity just South of Champaign, Illinois brings length, athleticism and physicality to the net. At 6'0 tall, she touches extremely high, with quite the wingspan. The way she could press across the net as a blocker was impressive. She plays like she's 6'3 or 6'4. When it comes to attacking she's not afraid to take a swing and use her angles. Seeing athletes like her, you know there is a major upside at the next level with how she will quickly improve each time she steps on the court.     Seeing [player_tooltip player_id='825087' first='Ella' last='Subbert'] run a slide for PowerPlex 16 Nelson was a definite “Whoa” in the notes app. She is a 6'2 middle blocker with a 10'3 touch via her Twitter profile and is also a basketball prospect. She's played club basketball for the prestigious All Iowa Attack, but if she wants there is a bright future for her in volleyball. The athleticism is obvious, she moves extremely well laterally and is very physical at the net. She is another one of those athletes where the more she plays, the more she will improve. There is a bright future for her whatever she decides to pursue at the next level.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/02/RG1A0509.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-947438" style="aspect-ratio:1.5014953078271631;width:439px;height:auto"/></figure>    [player_tooltip player_id='763901' first='Berkley' last='Weiland'] just glides on the court. As a setter and right side attacker for PowerPlex 16 Nelson, she impacts the game in so many ways. As a setter it all starts with her footwork, she gets to the net quickly, she adjusts to her pass, and is smart with her decisions in who to get involved and when for attackers. With her skillset, this allows her side of the net to be really versatile. She can set from the front and backrow and be an attacker if needed. This 16 Nelson squad is going to be very dangerous this season. They went 6-2 at NIT this past weekend which will set them up for a big qualifier when they head to Sunshine in a couple weeks.     There are still some 16s from Wisconsin I'm seeing for the first time. [player_tooltip player_id='587083' first='Ruby' last='Clooten'] is one who really jumped on to the radar for me playing for MKE Sting 16 Gold. She can attack off one foot and knows how to use her angles out of the middle. She has a heavy swing which makes her tough to defend when she is one on one. There is an overall presence about her being in the match where you know she has the potential to make something exciting happen.     [program_tooltip program_id='431567' first='Adversity' last=''] 16 Adidas had a huge weekend at Triple Crown. They advanced to the Sweet Sixteen match against eventual champion A5 where they gave them quite the run. The libero for this team is [player_tooltip player_id='536076' first='Morgan' last='Choi']. So impressive. There are a lot of liberos who tend to be diving all over the place, a bit chaotic - not Choi. I was impressed with how she positioned herself before the attackers made contact. She reads very well, she knows where the ball will be. This was able to get [program_tooltip program_id='431567' first='Adversity' last=''] in system and run a fast offense propelled by setter [player_tooltip player_id='546846' first='Haven' last='Enselman']. This is a team who will be fun to see throughout the qualifier season.     [player_tooltip player_id='725645' first='Sophia' last='Polec'] was creating problems for the other side of the net this past weekend in Kansas City. She brings length and athleticism to the middle blocker position where she can block and score points. What I was impressed with was her urgency when it came to attacking. She approached like she was going to be the ball every time. That isn't always the case for middle blockers. When the ball came her way she was going to find a way to get it done or at least be aggressive while trying.     [player_tooltip player_id='846643' first='Sommer' last='Shaw'] doesn't need much of a window to provide a hard swing to the deep corner for her 1st Alliance 16 Gold team. She connects well with her setters and brings a high IQ to the middle blocker position. Her positioning is also key where she is controlled with her hand positioning in the block, she doesn't get tool'd, she knows how to set the block where she's either going to get the stuff or her teammates can play defense behind her.     Don't let [player_tooltip player_id='697463' first='Audrey' last='Small'] get lost in the shuffle. She is a 2028 playing with an elite group from Iowa United 151 Elite. This team was lights out this past weekend in Kansas City. They went 3-0 in their power pool and made the top 32. Small is a major presence in the middle who can block and score points. She is accustomed to training at a high level, she knows how to position herself to get a tough or a stuff while getting out of her block, transitioning to be an available attacker. She spent time at some Big Ten camps last summer and could be a Power Four type oc athlete.     [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 16 Elite is a new squad for [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] where they have taken their top 15s and 16s, putting them on one team. A key spark for this squad is [player_tooltip player_id='545532' first='Rose' last='Kendall']. She is a lefty right side who plays the game with great fire and energy. This translates well to her style of play where she is electric with her swing. She knows how to score points and isn't afraid to swing big.     One of the setters for [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 16 Elite is [player_tooltip player_id='545533' first='Alexis' last='Babiash'] who is well trained from her footwork to her hands as well as knowing which attacker can feed and when. She just glides on the court, she moves well where she can make the most out of whatever situation her side of the net is in. This will be a fun team to track through the qualifier season. This team won four of their last five matches at NIT, generating momentum for the Badger Region Qualifier February 28 and March 1.

The mission Saturday morning was to see as many 16s as I could going from wall to wall at the Bartle Hall Convention Center in Downtown Kansas City. Triple Crown is always a buzz on that first morning with college coaches seeing their commits while also checking out what talent is up and coming. I was able to see plenty of the Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin squads compete where there are some athletes who you can put on the fast track to watching more this qualifier season. Who are the NEW ones we can put on the list?