October 6, 2022

The So Cal Invitational takes place Friday and Saturday at Alliant University in San Diego. It features 23 teams in Division 1 and another 24 schools in Division 2. The first and second-place teams in each pool advance to Saturday qualifying with hopes of making the eight-team gold bracket. The event features mostly California schools but does have teams like Coronado NV, Perry AZ, Lake Stevens WA and Oviedo FL making the trip. Below, we highlight the top seven seeds plus more players to watch for this weekend. TEAM SPOTLIGHTS Coronado NV – The Cougars’ only loss to an in-state foe this season came at the hands of Bishop Gorman NV. They’ll see if they can hold down the top seed behind kill leader and junior outside Abigail Paulson. Also playing keys roles are outside Angelina Sayles, senior setter Camdyn Carpenter, junior setter Hannah Pemberton and senior libero Mia Arambula. Del Norte – The Nighthawks have beaten teams like Torrey Pines and La Costa Canyon this season and certainly have what it takes to finish on top here. Defenses need to be aware of senior outside Jillian Neal at all times. Kamehameha/Hawaii HI – The Warriors make the trip back to the mainland after competing at the Durango Fall Classic weeks ago. Among those making key contributions are senior libero Leisey Kelii, junior outside Maela Honma and senior outside Sarah Schubert. Eastlake – The Titans will look to make noise this weekend and turn a few heads. They did lose a non-league contest against Kamehameha earlier in the week. Senior right side Bianca Merloti, senior libero Avery Banaag and junior outside Lily Stewart all do their parts in helping the team find ways to win. Perry AZ – The Pumas have played a tough schedule, seeing a lot of the best schools in Arizona. Can they find success out-of-state? Senior outside Avery Burks, senior outside Amy Whalin and sophomore middle Kenna Cogill are the main threats on offense. Westview – The tournament hosts will look to write a winning script and pull off surprises along the way. Senior outside Ella Alibegovic and junior libero Makenna Roberts are integral parts of the lineup. JSerra – The Lions play a tough enough schedule and won’t back down from anyone. There’s lots to like on this roster, including junior setter Delaney Hughes, freshman setter Sara Moynihan, junior middle Tatum Johnson, freshman outside Charlotte Nowack and sophomore right side Ruby Hill. *** MORE PLAYERS TO WATCH Madison Triplett JR OH El Capitan Madelyn Wutske SO OH El Capitan Isabella Christensen SR OH Lake Stevens WA Laura Eichert FR OH Lake Stevens WA Katelyn Eichert JR S Lake Stevens WA Fallyn Blotzer SO OH Santiago Maylynn Mitchell SO OH Santiago Hannah Guzzetti SR MB Santiago Jannah Jonick SO MB Rancho Bernardo Natalie Ratkiewicz SO OH Rancho Bernardo Kiki Remensperger JR S Poway

The Molten Varsity Power Classic hosted by Redondo Union is on the schedule Friday and Saturday. The Nike TOC Southwest last weekend marked the last major national tournament this season as teams around the country wrap up their tournament schedule with local events. Outside of Casteel AZ making the trip, the remaining 26 teams in the field are from California, including host Redondo and No. 7 ranked Mira Costa. They are part of a small group of favorites which we highlight below, along with some more players to watch for. TEAM SPOTLIGHTS Let’s take a look at the four tournament favorites: Mira Costa – The Mustangs are coming off a runner-up showing at the Nike TOC Southwest tournament last weekend when they finished second to Cornerstone Christian TX. They picked up a key Bay League victory over ranked Palos Verdes on Tuesday and will look to finish its week with its second tournament title of the year after claiming the Ann Kang Invitational title back in August. Junior setter and Wisconsin commit Charlie Fuerbringer has a trio of hitters who have carried the offense in senior outside Drew Wright, senior right side Tanon Rosenthal and junior outside Chloe Hynes. Meanwhile, sophomore Taylor Deckert continues to shine at libero. Redondo Union – The Sea Hawks are among the handful of teams capable of winning the title. They’ve faced a difficult schedule all season and will look to gear up for the end of league and the start of the playoffs with a strong showing. The team has been paced by senior outside and Oklahoma commit Mele Corral-Blagojevich as Redondo has utilized a variety of lineups throughout the year.  Lakewood – The Lancers are a feisty group who can give anyone fits with their athletic lineup. San Diego State commit and senior setter Fatimah Hall does an excellent job guiding the offense and setting her hitters up for success. It includes senior outside Samarah DaCoud and junior outside Jade Epps, as well as junior middle Zaria Thornton. Torrey Pines – There are a couple of key matches remaining for the Falcons against Cathedral Catholic and a league rematch with La Costa Canyon. But first up is this weekend where they could face a pair of familiar opponents in Mira Costa and Redondo. Torrey Pines defeated Redondo earlier this year and more recently lost to Mira Costa. Freshman outside hitter Finley Krystkowiak continues to be the main target of senior setter Nikki Quinn. Senior middle Grace Flanagan scores at a high percentage and is another weapon while senior Katerina Lutz leads the defensive effort at libero. *** MORE PLAYERS TO WATCH Anabel Kotzakov SR OH Newport Harbor Madyson Smith SR MB Aliso Niguel Nicole Feliciano SR S/RS Aliso Niguel Danet Whiting SR L Aliso Niguel Grace Witcher SR OH Liberty Bakersfield Emma Fredrick SR OH Liberty Bakersfield Jordan Taulua SR OH Bishop Montgomery Zoe Morales SR L Bishop Montgomery Jada Stone SR S Oxnard Anika Huelskamp SR OH Oxnard Kalyssa Blackshear SO MB Torrance M’kera Drake SR MB Summit Aidan Goodrich SR MB Clovis West Kayleigh May SR S Thousand Oaks Nina Hemsley FR MB Rancho Cucamonga Joyce Shih JR OH Rancho Cucamonga Tori Davis SR MB West Ranch Kennedy Osunsanmi JR RS West Ranch Sophia Lynch SR OH West Ranch Hailie McGinest JR OH LB Poly