USAV 14/15s: Day 2 Show Stoppers
The desperation and intensity ramped up on Day 2 of the 14 and 15s divisions at the USAV GJNC in Indy. With the first round of pool play coming to an end, there were teams scrambling to stay in contention for the podium. With 24 of the 36 teams advancing to the second round of pool play, it of course meant 12 teams were cast aside and their hopes of a medal ended. We’ll cover the day’s events if you keep scrolling down. However, as usual, we begin with our Day 2 Show Stoppers highlighting the players who shined the brightest. Margaret Czajka, MB, MKE Sting 14 Gold – Czajka brings a real offensive presence when she checks in. She has a great arm and is adept at finding and exploiting the gaps when she attacks. Abby Zimmerman, RS, SCVC 14 Roxy – Zimmerman was showing what she can bring to front row. She’s long with a nice arm and was ripping balls down the line. Sydney Lund, S, Austin Skyline 14 Royal – Showing off her hands, Lund sets a clean ball consistently and was locating well. Londyn Stone, OH, AVC Cle Rox 14 Red – A bit undersized, it doesn’t matter when Stone goes up for a kill. She takes aggressive swings and showed her ability to tool blocks, as well as pass and defend in the back row. Sydney Borowy, OH, AVC Cle Rox 14 Red – With nice extension and a high point of contact, Borowy can let it fly when she gets a hold of one. Willow Weninger, RS, Pohaku 14-1 – Weninger is a big plus for the offense. She’s a name to know as she flashed plenty of upside. She has a booming arm and was crushing winners. Halle Thompson, OH, Hou Skyline 14 Royal – What a talent Thompson is. She glides in the air with a smooth swing. She’s a threat front and back row. Layla Hoying, OH, Mintonette m.41 – Mintonette’s outside duo is one of the best in the age group. Hoying is an all-around contributor with a really good arm and the smarts to blow up bigger blocks. Sara Snowbarger, OH, Mintonette m.41 – Another all-around contributor for Mintonette, Snowbarger is also tough to slow on the attack with her scoring prowess. Mallory Matheny, S, Mintonette m.41 – Matheny has a great release and does a swell job running the offense. She’s strong going behind her with accuracy and touch. Lauren Scheiden, L, Drive Nation 14 Red – Scheiden gave Drive Nation a defensive edge. She was defending and covering the court well, making plays to keep rallies alive. Elena Ruble, S, HPSTL 14 Royal – Ruble is quick and does well getting to the ball. She can jump set and does well dishing to her various hitters. Layla Austin, OH, Madfrog 14 Green – It’s going to be fun watching Austin move up age groups. She has tremendous potential. She has a great arm that can already generate heat and pressure opponents. Summer Hodge, L, Madfrog 14 Green – Hodge is a smooth passer. She was on point in serve receive when challenged. Abigail Vander Wal, OH, 1st Alliance 15 Gold – Vander Wal – a five-star recruit – is the go-to outside who carries a big offensive load. She can go over, around or through blocks and is someone opponents have to plan their defense around. Taylor Cook, S, Skyline 15 Royal – Cook moves well and can get her feet to the ball and set normal where other setters would struggle. A three-star recruit, she goes behind her well too and has a good connection with her middles. Camille Middleton, MB, Skyline 15 Royal – Middleton gets off the ground in a hurry. She’s difficult to time blocking and thus is able to score before the block is formed. Logan Parks, S/RS, MAVS KC 15-1 – A five-star recruit, Parks is a marvel to watch. She’s a solid setter with really good hands and location. As a hitter, she skies and pounds and gives defenses all they can handle. Bailey Warren, OH, Hou Skyline 15 Royal – Another five-star recruit, Warren is a human pogo stick. She elevates well and has a good arm. That combo makes her a scoring machine. Julia Grace, L, NKYVC 15-1 Tsunami – Grace – a three-star recruit – is a high-energy libero with strong command of the back row. She also was solid out of serve receive and making hustle plays. Teraya Sigler, OH, Arizona Storm 15 Thunder – Sigler was displaying what she can do all over the court. A five-star recruit, she’s a physical hitter who can overpower opponents. She’s also a strong passer and defender. Izzy Mahaffey, L, Arizona Storm 15 Thunder – Mahaffey – a three-star recruit – is an anchor in the back row. She’s rarely off her mark when challenged in serve receive, and she’s strong picking up tips and touches. Kirra Musgrove, S/RS, HJV 15 Elite – A four-star recruit, Musgrove is a key two-way player. She does well directing the offense back row with a nice, consistent release. She’s also a solid attacker who helps spread out the offense. Campbell Flynn, S, Legacy 15-1 Adidas – Flynn – a four-star recruit – had one of the top plays of the day. She set a ball from the deep zone 1 corner all the way to outside clean and on point. There are older setters who couldn’t make that set and she made it look easy. Logan Bell, OH, Circle City 15 Purple – A three-star recruit, Bell explodes up on the attack. Her quick jump and swing make her a tough one to stop consistently. Isabelle Brown, S, Circle City 15 Purple – Brown – another three-star recruit – does well getting her hitters good looks. She’s a scrappy setter too who can make nice defensive plays. Avery Freeman, L, Circle City 15 Purple – Freeman is steady and consistent
