September 7, 2022

The Nike Tournament of Champions Southeast was a motherload tournament that featured a ton of the top teams from Florida along with out of state powerhouse teams like Cornerstone Christian TX and Lafayette MO. There were 88 teams in three divisions so needless to say there was a lot of talent at this tournament. Let’s get started with the Show Stoppers, Scrappers, and Freshman Standouts.  The Show Stoppers are the players who lit it up the most. Scrappers were athletes I thought were vital on the court and literally balled out every time. And the Freshman Standouts were stud freshman making an impact on the court. Show Stoppers Before I talk about each athlete I need to mention the two athletes that literally shined overall this tournament, aka my picks for MVP. Both of these athletes shined every time they stepped on the court. Nayeli Gonzalez, SR MB/OH, Cornerstone Christian (Iowa State) – Gonzalez, a 4-star recruit, was literally lights out both days. Be it swinging from the outside or middle position OR just putting up a massive block she was unstoppable. Zoey Mattias, Soph L, Westminster Christian – Mattias is one of those liberos who just has a sixth sense in regards to digging the hitters. And she has absolutely no problem throwing her body anywhere and everywhere to make plays.  Hitters Madison Gravlee, SR OH, Vero Beach (Florida) – Gravlee,  a 4-star recruit, hits a high and heavy ball anywhere on the court.  Zeta Washington, SR MB, Ponte Vedra (Cincinnati) – The 4-star recruit Washington was a presence in the middle. Be it scoring or defense she is always in the play on the court.  Ashley Sturzoiu, SR OH, Buford (Mississippi State) – Sturzoiu is one of those outsides that I can honestly say when the going got tough she just kept swinging. She packs serious heat on the outside.  Sarah Gooch, SR OH, Lake Brantley (West Virginia) – Gooch is another heavy hitter. She is a 3-star recruit who is a dominating factor on the court.  Emily Breazeale, SR OH, Spain Park (West Florida) – The recent West Florida recruit was fun to watch. She explodes on the outside.  Morgan Burke, SR MB/OH, Skutt Catholic (Michigan) – Burke, a 3-star recruit, was playing in the middle for her high school squad and was completely a dominating force. Jalyn Stout, SR S/Opp, Santa Fe (Coastal Carolina) – This lefty can do it all. She swings on the pins with fire and dishes from the backrow with efficiency consistently. Ivana Zujovic, SR MB, Tampa Prep – Zujovic might be ‘undersized’ in the middle but her athleticism and speed makes her very effective. Chelsea Sutton, JR MB, Ponte Vedra (Tennessee) – Sutton, 4-star recruit, brings height to the front row. She is a physical hitter who hits a heavy ball consistently. Fallon Stewart, JR OH, Winter Park (Cincinnati) – Stewart, a 4-star recruit, is an aggressive hitter who does well challenging the block and keeping pressure on the defense from everywhere on the court. Bailey Higgins, JR Opp, (Berkeley Prep) – Higgins, a 4-star recruit lefty, is explosive. She’s a huge offensive weapon for her squad. Leilia Toailoa, JR OH, Bishop Gorman – Toailoa’s physicality allows her to go over blocks easily and blast balls to the open space consistently.  Megan Fitch, Soph OH, Cornerstone Christian – Fitch, 5-star recruit, is a six-rotation outside who adds much finesse on the court AND can terminate pretty much anywhere on the court.  Amina N’diaye, Soph OH, Lake Brantley – N’diaye, 5-star recruit, is just plain smooth on the court. Be it shots or hammers, she can do it all with ease anywhere on the court. Maggie Dostic, Soph OH, Plant -Dostic, 3-star recruit, is another smooth outside who finds the seam well or just powers through the block with ease.  Kelly Kinney, Soph OH, Kings Academy – A 5-star recruit, Kinney is just straight up powerful on the court. She is a six-rotation force on the court.  Setters Taylor Anderson, SR  Cornerstone Christian (Purdue)- Anderson, 4-star recruit, is the quiet playmaker who consistently feeds her hitters from the backcourt and is an offensive threat at the net.  Ashley Reynolds, SR Venice – Reynolds is steady and knows who she needs to get the ball to at the right times. Taylor Parks, JR Calvary Christian (Florida) – A 4-star recruit, Parks is a smooth setter who has beautiful hands and attacks in the front row with the best of them.  Alyssa Nelson, JR Lafayette – Nelson, 3-star recruit, quarterbacks well on the court and dishes to her hitters consistently.  Izzy Mogridge, Soph Steinbrenner – Mogridge, a 4-star recruit, has a really nice touch and beautiful hands. She sets a consistently hittable ball.  Liberos Alyssa Manitzas, SR Cornerstone Christian (Notre Dame) – Notre Dame commit Manitzas, a 4-star recruit, is just plain fun to watch out there. A bundle of energy who is quite frankly everywhere and anywhere needed.  Reese Burry, SR Windermere – Burry owned the backrow and stands in well against big hitters to make digs and overall athletic plays. Bella Lee, JR Plant (Florida) – Lee, a Florida commit, was a calm and steady force on the backline for Plant. She was consistent in passing and defending every match.  Makena Yates, JR Trinity Catholic – Yates is another one who made some very athletic digs and plays every match.  Brighton Ferguson, Soph Venice – Ferguson is strong and effective out of serve receive and she hustles as well chasing down balls and keeping rallies alive. Scrappers  Emily Matias, SR OH/MB, Westminster Christian (Coastal Carolina) – Matias, a 3-star recruit, helps bring the fire to her squad. Sometimes in the middle and sometimes on the outside, she is technically undersized but don’t let that fool you. Rylee Busse, SR OH, Cornerstone Christian (Memphis) – With the amount of talent on the court for Cornerstone, Busse brings scrappiness and ball control to the court. She is lights out.  Deanna Dollar, SR OH, Calvary Christian (College of