July 4, 2023

We start our Day 2 coverage of the 17s with our All Red Hat Team. Tuesday’s action brought about the first set of eliminations and with it desperation that led to incredible standout performances. Below, we highlight our favorite 10 players of the day. The goal is to highlight a daily team consisting of two players from each position – outside, middle, right side, setter and libero who – were our absolute favorite players of the day. Favorite doesn’t mean only a 5-star recruit or a familiar name. These are players who stood out to us for a variety of reasons, from amazing play to great energy or attitude or making key hustle plays. These are daily all-stars who really stood out the most to us for one reason or another. DAY 2 ALL RED HAT TEAM Kendall Beshear OH SCVC 17 Roxy: SCVC took over the No. 1 overall seed with its victory over Dynasty 17 Black to close out the first round of pool play. Beshear is tremendously fun to watch because though she’s just a bit undersized she’s an explosive jumper and attacker with a heavy arm. She can get up and simply unload. She’s also sound out of serve receive and gives the all-out effort needed to succeed. Julia Lewkowitz OH Miami Hype 17 Emilio: We watched Lewkowitz at AAUs in Orlando and Miami Hype continues to perform here in Chicago. Part of that success is what Lewkowitz brings to the lineup. She’s another outside who is a bit undersized yet just knows how to score and keep producing for her team. She can be frustrating because of the variety of ways she comes at defenses from going high hands to well-placed off speed and roll shots. Zoey Burgess MB Club V 17 Ren Matthew: Burgess – a 5-star Kansas commit – is an exciting player to watch because she plays with lots of joy and enthusiasm. It doesn’t hurt that she’s a tall middle with length and reach to be a major impact at the net with her hitting and blocking. She gets in the way of attackers with her touches or redirecting attempts. When it comes her turn to go on offense, she runs a lethal slide attack. Jaela Auguste MB Hou Skyline 17 Royal: Auguste is a 5-star Florida recruit who you could classify as a freaky athlete. There just aren’t that many players who can physically do what she can on the court. It’s as if she springs off a trampoline on the attack. She’s quick and has a fast swing and can rocket balls straight down in impressive fashion. Ryan Hunter RS Triangle 17 Black: Hunter is the third consecutive 5-star recruit but one difference is she is part of the Class of 2025. We recently featured her as our Player of the Week sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods so we might be a little partial to what she brings to the court. That is to say lots of high-flying kills. She’s a walking highlight reel and is definitely one of the more entertaining Naara Tanco RS AJV 17 Adidas: Tanco also was another electric right side who was delivering spectacular kills with her lanky frame. The combination of her jump and ability to extend make her tough to cover. She also has a whippy arm and was making defenses pay. Calli Kenny S/RS 1st Alliance 17 Gold: Kenny is a gritty, passionate player who leaves every ounce on the court with the way she hustles and competes. She’s a bit undersized but she’s high IQ with everything she does on the court. Maya Baker S Vision 17 Gold: Baker is another member of the Class of 2025. She’s a smooth operator with a nice touch and consistent location. She’s a steadying presence, a setter who doesn’t get too high or low in leading her team. Maya Evens L Wave 17 Juliana: Wave is playing well and part of that is the production of Evens in the back row. She too is part of the Class of 2025. She’s a high-level defender with an accurate first-touch. She also brings a lot of energy and fire to the lineup. Taylor Deckert SCVC 17 Roxy: We end with yet another member of the Class of 2025 and a recent USC commit. Deckert caught the attention of coaches long ago with the ease as which she covers and defends. She’s always under control and rarely is off the mark with her intended target.

With the first elimination day on hand, dreams remain alive for those advancing while those knocked out dealt with the heartbreak of seeing their national championship aspirations leave with it. Desperation mode was kicking in and it brought out the best in those competing. Below, we highlight our Day 2 All Red Hat Team by featuring our 10 favorite players of the day. The goal is to highlight a daily team consisting of two players from each position – outside, middle, right side, setter and libero who – were our absolute favorite players of the day. Favorite doesn’t mean only a 5-star recruit or a familiar name. These are players who stood out to us for a variety of reasons, from amazing play to great energy or attitude or making key hustle plays. These are daily all-stars who really stood out the most to us for one reason or another. DAY 2 ALL RED HAT TEAM     Jessica Costlow OH Mich Elite 16 Mizuno: Costlow spent all last season playing out of position as a middle. With added roster depth this season, she’s been able to shift to the outside. She’s a perfect for a the All Red Hat Team. She’s a bit undersized but she’s an absolute gamer and doesn’t back down. She’s also a smart hitter with lots of shots in her bag. Bellamie Beus OH ID Crush 16 Bower: Beus – a 4-star recruit from the Class of 2026 – is another outside who really caught our attention with the way she gets after it. She’s a feisty competitor with huge upside with her jumping and swinging ability. She’s an explosive attacker who gets off the floor well and hammers balls off blocks or down around them. Shelby Ignash MB Mich Elite 16 Mizuno: Ignash was a new addition at the beginning of the season and she’s turned into a staple of the offensive attack by season’s end. She’s a physical middle who hits with lots of power. She can get out on the slide too and crush balls. And defenses need to be prepared because Mich Elite will run her often when in system. Addison Makun MB Adidas KiVA 16 Red: Makun – a 4-star recruit – is a major presence in the middle with her size and length. She continues to improve and can impact the rally on both sides of it with her hitting and blocking. She can make gaps disappear in a hurry with her long reach. And with it, she can go right over blockers and send balls down at or near the 10-foot line. Stella Dillon RS Coast 16-1: Dillon joined Coast late last year and since has been a regular in the starting lineup. She’s a contributor on the right side with both her blocking and hitting. She has decent size and she definitely opens up the attack as defenses need to keep note of her. Coast will go to her consistently. She has a solid arm and was doing well tooling blocks. Maddie Mitchell S/RS MAVS 16-1: We love Mitchell and what she brings to the lineup. She’s in a tough spot with 5-star Logan Parks playing the same role but MAVS isn’t the same team without Mitchell on the court. She’s a bit undersized but she knows what is needed to win. She plays under control, both as a setter and a hitter. She does well dishing and moving the ball around. As a hitter, she isn’t going to deliver the biggest kill in the gym but hitting hard doesn’t count for extra points. Trust us, she knows how to score consistently against bigger blocks. Billie Reiter S MKE Sting 16 Gold: We really enjoy watching these next two setters a lot! Reiter can run a 5-1 like she did in Sting’s victory over Circle City 16 Purple. Or she can set back row as part of 6-2 package as she did in the match after. Either way, she gets after it and is a steadying presence on the court. She has a soft touch and locates well while connecting with all her hitters. Malorie Boesiger S Nebraska One 16 Synergy: You would have no idea watching Boesiger that she is actually playing up not one but two age groups! That’s right, it makes her part of the Class of 2027. She’s a bit undersized but she is a spot-on disher who plays without any fear or trepidation. Avery Freeman L Circle City 16 Purple: From our perspective, there might be higher-rated liberos than Freeman but when it comes down to having to win, we’d gladly take her as our starting libero. She flat-out competes and gets after on the defensive end and it’s fun to watch. She’s not a demonstrative libero who plays with a lot of outward emotion. She’s more reserved with determination and tenacity that is easy to see with the effort she plays out. Izzy Mahaffey L Arizona Storm 16 Thunder: Mahaffey was a wall when we were watching. And on top of that, she was making it look easy. She has that type of game. She’s also a fiery libero who plays with lots of emotion and passion.

If the results from Day 1 of 17 Open are any indication, then there’s little clue as to what is going to happen the rest of the way. One result was Rockwood Thunder 17 Elite upsetting No. 3 overall seed Drive Nation 17 Red. KC Power 17 Black – which received a generous No. 4 overall seed – fell to Metro 17 Travel in its final outing of the day to sit at 2-1. TAV 17 Black wasn’t safe either. The No. 4 overall seed was stunned by Seal Beach 17 Black and is 2-1. However, perhaps the biggest surprise is NKYVC 17-1 Tsunami going 1-2 on Day 1. The No. 6 overall seed fell to both Miami Hype 17 Emilio and Coast 17-1 with a victory over AJV 17 Adidas wedged in between. As for Miami Hype, it received one of two at-larges into the 17 Open field and started off 3-0, with the clutch victory over NKYVC. City 17 Gold was the other at-large recipient and went 1-2 on Day 1. City lost to 1st Alliance 17 Gold and KC Power before salvaging a victory against Boiler Jrs 17 Gold. *** By Chris Tobolski and Christine Phillips 17s DAY 1 SHOW STOPPERS Lauren Harden OH Rev 17-1 Raptors: Harden – a 5-star Florida recruit – carries a giant portion of the offense on her shoulders. She’s a long outside who can power kills front and back row. She’s a big reason why Rev qualified for Open originally. Taylor Williams OH Vision 17 Gold: Williams – a 4-star Duke recruit – is another outside with height who can extend and really connect. She was providing reliable offense with her ability to hit through or around blocks. McKenna Brand L Skyline 17 Royal: Brand – a 4-star UCONN commit – was under serious consideration for our Day 1 All Red Hat Team but there wasn’t enough space. Still, she’s super fun to watch because she’s an unassuming libero who just makes play after play all over the court. Maya Witherspoon OH Rockwood Thunder 17 Elite: Witherspoon – a 4-star Class of 2025 recruit – was bringing it on the both pins. She has a lively arm and was letting loose with it in giving her team plenty of points. Savannah Skopal S AJV 17 Adidas: Skopal – a 4-star Rice commit – is a high-level, take-charge setter who is in total command of the show. She has a great touch and release and puts the ball in a hittable window consistently. Rachel Resta S TAV 17 Blue: Resta, a 3-star recruit, dishes beautifully and consistently.  Marin Collins OH Niagara Frontier 17 Navy: Collins, a recent Penn State commit, commanded a presence on the court. She is someone to watch as she continues to grow in the sport. She is impressive on the court.  Jordan Smart S CHAVC 17 Black: Smart, a James Madison commit and 3-star recruit, quarterbacks her team well. She runs a 5-1 and connects with her hitters everywhere on the court.  Milani Lee RS FORZA1 NORTH 17ONE Franko: Lee, a 2025 athlete, had moments where she was ripping the ball and providing key production from the right side. Elizabeth Andrew  MB ATHENA VB 17-1 Gold: Andrew, a 5-star recruit, is legit. She owns the net offensively and defensively. She’s tons of fun to watch. And her jump serve isn’t too shabby either.  Meghan Kagehiro L RAGE 17 GREG: Kagehiro has a knack for touching a ton of balls on the court. She wasn’t afraid to get dirty.   Mia Gladden S SoCal VBC 17-Sola: Gladden caught my attention when I was walking by and she literally did a one-handed dig was beyond impressive. She sets a clean ball too.  Payton Petersen  OH Six Pack 17:  Petersen, a 3-star recruit committed to Louisville, was aggressive, attacking and really challenging the block in all six rotations.   Alivia Keegan S/RS Mission 17 Elite: Keegan, a 3-star recruit, impressed me on the court. She has great hands and finds her hitters well. AND she can bounce balls in the front roll.  Georgia Watson RS Mission 17 Elite: Watson, a 3-star 2025 recruit playing up, was cranking on the pins. She hits a heavy ball. Carys Fouser MB Abq Juniors 17-1 Jordan: Fouser is part of a 1-2 punch in the middle for her squad. She brings a punch to the middle.  Alyssa Carlisle  MB Abq Juniors 17-1 Jordan: Carlisle, the other half of the middle blocking duo, is a wall at the net. She seals the net well.   Shannon Sheehy S AZ REV 17 Premier: Sheehy, a San Francisco commit, has great hands and pushes well from pin to pin.  Miliana Sylvester MB 417 Juniors 17 Nat Black: Sylvester, a 3-star recruit committed to Hawaii,   was making plays on both sides of the ball, disrupting attackers while giving her squad a reliable point scorer in the middle.  Madison Swehla  OH Rockwood Thunder 17 Navy: Swehla is an undersized outside who jumps fast and quick. She can beat blocks with her quickness.  Jazmine Gaston OH Texas Fury 17 Legacy: Gaston, a Louisiana commit, is an athletic force on the court who jumps well on the outside.   Maya Collins L OVA 17 Black: Collins  was passing consistently out of serve receive and was constantly making  great plays.  Caroline Tredwell MB Skyline 17 Black: Tredwell, a UTSA commit and 3-star recruit, is an explosive middle who moves well laterally and gets off the ground quickly.

The results were all over the place as the 16 Open competition began four days of play at the USAV Girls Junior National Championships in Chicago. That’s not unusual given the high-caliber clubs in attendance, all of which are vying for a gold medal. The only way to make that happen is to break the first round of pool play. While not all of the top teams made it through the opening day unscathed, none appear in trouble barring the unexpected on Day 2. At the same time, a couple of lower-seeded teams made noise and are in position to advance. One of which is Madfrog 16 Green, which went 3-0 as the No. 25 overall seed. Madfrog, which is ranked No. 27 in our Top 50 National Rankings, not only went undefeated on the first day, it didn’t even drop a set in sweeping Legacy 16-1 Adidas, Wave 16 Kevin and OT 16 JP. All three opponents are higher up in our national rankings, so it was truly an impressive effort. Madfrog didn’t earn its bid until late, picking it up at the Far Western national qualifier and avoiding the stress of the at-large process. Another team coming out of the gates strong was AVC Cle 16 Red, which is the No. 28 overall seed and also ranked No. 28 in the nation. AVC opened up with a sweep over AAU 16 Open silver medalist and an at-large recipient here in Mich Elite 16 Mizuno. AVC then outlasted OT 16 Roberto in three before falling to Nebraska One 16 Synergy and ending up 2-1. Two of the pools were more topsy-turvy than the rest. One was Pool 2, where Surfside 16 PV Legends, the No. 2 overall seed, lost to Tribe 16 Elite Cardinal and is 2-1. Tribe, meanwhile, had a great start in going 3-0. Not only did Tribe upend Surfside, Tribe also took down AAU 16 Open gold medalist Adidas KiVA 16 Red, as well as MAVS KC 16-1. KiVA, Surfside and Austin Skyline 16 Royal are all tied at 2-1 heading into the second day of play. MAVS and Triangle 16 Black are both 0-3 and have lots of work to do to make it out ahead of any of those four. Pool 4, which featured AVC, was wild as well, where No. 4 overall Hou Skyline 16 Royal lost to Mich Elite and is in a four-way tie at 2-1 with Nebraska One, Mich Elite and AVC. After falling to AVC, Mich Elite responded emphatically with huge victories over Nebraska One and Hou Skyline. It figured the one match Mich Elite needed to win on Day 1 was against AVC and after falling to AVC was in serious trouble. Yet, Mich Elite came alive to help create the havoc. Teams yet to lose include 1st Alliance 16 Gold, Madfrog, Tribe, Drive Nation 16 Red, Circle City 16 Purple, HJV 16 Elite, A5 16 Gabe and Arizona Storm 16 Thunder. *** By Christine Phillips The air in the gym was palpable with anticipation as the last wave of the USAV National Championships kicked off Monday. It was a day brimming with electric energy and anticipation, as athletes from across the nation gathered to battle it out on the court. From the very first serve the competition was fierce. And true to the nature of any sports event, the day was not without its fair share of unexpected upsets. It was an absolute delight to witness standout performances from athletes like Sydni Vice from MJVA 16 Elite and Marin Collins, a recently committed athlete to Penn State, from Niagara Frontier 17 Navy. These formidable outside hitters displayed an incredible level of skill, power and finesse as they unleashed thunderous attacks and sent balls soaring across the court. Their relentless determination and unwavering focus captivated spectators, making for an exhilarating viewing experience. Additionally, Payton Petersen, a Louisville commit, showcased her exceptional talent on the outside with her powerful hits everywhere on the court. Another standout athlete was Elizabeth Andrew from ATHENA VB 17-1 Gold, whose undeniable prowess and command of the game made her an absolute force to be reckoned with. Her ability to dominate the court with her exceptional skills and unwavering confidence was fun to watch. The convention center was filled with a multitude of talented athletes who contributed to the electrifying atmosphere, making it an unforgettable and thrilling experience for all who had the pleasure of watching. *** By Chris Tobolski and Christine Phillips 16s DAY 1 SHOW STOPPERS Zoey Matias L Tribe 16 Elite Cardinal: Matias – a 4-star recruit – is a thrill to watch. She’s totally under control and seemingly always positioned in the right spot. She’s a lights-out passer and plays all-out in her defensive efforts. Olivia Moffett S CoJrs 16Kaleena: Moffett is a hard working and intense setter with a clean release and soft touch. She also adds a sizable wall at the net defensively.   Karsyn Fetzer OH NORCO 16 Black: Fetzer, an undersized outside, jumps well and has a quick arm that helps her beat the block.   Sydni Vice OH MJVA 16 Elite: A 4-star recruit, Vice takes huge swings everywhere on the court. She has a high contact which makes it hard for defenses to control.   Amanda Naipo OH Hawaiian Style 16-Black: Naipo is smart, scrappy and has a wicked snap when she is attacking.   Cali Eastling OH Wisconsin Ice 16 National: Eastling is an undersized six-rotation outside who is incredibly smart. She knows how to collect points with shots or swings.  Ava Dickerson MB Blue Ridge 16 Blue: Dickerson, an undersized middle, was active in her role and was working hard to make herself available. She is also a defensive weapon at the net.  Ada McCoy OH Blue Ridge 16 Blue: McCoy is a hard-swinging outside who jumps well and can bring the heat. Kaytlin Johnson OH TK 16 Soar: Johnson can swing with authority on the pins and brings incredible fire to the court.  Camille Schiralli OH SOSVBC 16 National: Schiralli brings an energy