Ann Kang Invitational: Day 3 Show Stoppers
It was once again Mira Costa CA proving itself as the best as the Ann Kang Invitational hosted by ‘Iolani wrapped up Saturday in Honolulu. The Mustangs were the defending champion and added to its nation-leading eighth Ann Kang title after rallying past Cornerstone Christian TX in the championship match. Below, we highlight the Day 3 standouts with our Show Stoppers. DAY 3 SHOW STOPPERS Lulu Uluave SR OH Punahou: Punahou’s only setback of three-day event came against Los Alamitos CA during Day 2 pool play. Uluave was a six-rotation stalwart. She committed to BYU has a defender and has excellent ball-control skills as well as a heavy arm and high IQ shots. Ashley Repetti JR OH Los Alamitos CA: Los Al had a great run here, tying for third. Repetti was a key cog in the attack. She has a good arm and can score from sideline to sideline, keeping pressure on the defense. Audrey Flanagan SO OH Mira Costa CA: A 5-star recruit, Flanagan earned Most Outstanding Player honors. She has a whip for an arm and a wide range of shots to keep defenses on their toes. Simone Roslon SO OH Mira Costa CA: Roslon – a 3-star recruit – helped anchored Mira Costa with her six-rotation contributions. She’s a sound passer and another smart attacker who knows how to locate shots and mix up between hard swings and off speed. Megan Fitch SR OH Cornerstone Christian TX: A 5-star Texas AM commit, Fitch never backs down and stays aggressive with her attacking. She’s a legit scoring threat whether front or back row and someone defenses always key on. Haylee LaFontaine SR OH Huntington Beach CA: Huntington Beach just missed the four-team championship bracket and settled for sixth place. LaFontaine played a huge role in the team’s run. She’s a six-rotation contributor who is a heady attacker and backs it with a strong serve. Danica Rach SR OH Sierra Canyon CA: A 3-star Boston College commit, Rach carries her share of the offensive load for the Trailblazers. She’s another who can swing it front or back row and provides plenty of offense. Hanna McGinest FR OH Sierra Canyon CA: A 4-star recruit, McGinest was thrust into a starting role in her first high school action and managed just fine. She’s an athletic outside who jumps and swings well and has a very bright future. Gentry Barker FR OH Lovejoy TX: Barker was another standout freshman. The 4-star recruit is fearless on the attack. She has a big arm to back it and was carrying the offense at times. Skylar Jackson SO OH Lovejoy TX: Jackson is part of the outside duo which Lovejoy relies on to provide a lot of offense. She carries a lively arm and can let it fly when she connects. *** Bryn Shankle SR MB Mira Costa CA: Shankle – a 3-star recruit – adds much-needed height to the Mustangs’ front row when she checks in. She makes an impact on both sides of the ball with her blocking and scoring ability. Defenses need to be ready when Mira Costa is in system because Shankle will get the ball. Madeline Way SR MB Sierra Canyon CA: Way is a feisty middle with a very strong arm. The 3-star Hawaii commit adds an offensive presence when she’s on the court. Shelby Burriss JR MB Lovejoy TX: Burriss – a 4-star recruit – knows what to do when she gets the ball. She scores at a high clip when she gets set and is someone defenses must keep track of. Chloe Hynes SR RS Mira Costa CA: Hynes plays a valuable role for the Mustangs. She can play six rotations and pass. She can swing from the back row. Or help the Mustangs run a traditional 6-2 and just play across the front row. Either way, she has a powerful arm and can score from either pin. Kamaluhia Garcia SR RS Moanalua HI: A 4-star Iowa commit, Garcia can rip with the best of them. She plays all the way around and there’s no place she won’t swing from. She’s capable of delivering impressive kills from corner to corner. Grace Carroll SR RS Cornerstone Christian TX: Carroll – a 4-star Baylor commit – is a big presence on the right side. She’s a two-way factor with her blocking and hitting. She helps open the attack because the Warriors like to get her the ball as often as they can. Anna Barr JR RS Lovejoy TX: Barr – a 3-star recruit – is another right side who showed off a big arm. She too changes the dynamic of the attack when she’s in because she brings size and power to the offense. Nora Williams SR RS Mira Costa CA: Williams’ contributions can’t be overlooked. She came in for the second set in the final and remained in the rest of the way swinging across the front row. She provided timely blocks and kills to boost Costa’s chances at victory. Rella Binney SR S Punahou HI: Binney – a 3-star Texas commit – is a smooth operator. She’s a high IQ setter and is quick too. She sets a consistent, clean ball and locates very well too. Kaia Herweg SR S/OH Los Alamitos CA (S/OH): Herweg – a 3-star Grand Canyon commit – is a high-energy two-way player who allows Los Al to maximize its roster. She’s a solid setter and a smart attacker who can find the open spot. *** Dani Sparks SR S Huntington Beach CA: Sparks – a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo beach commit – was among the standout setters. She runs a 5-1 and is both accurate and consistent with her setting. Sade Ilawole SR S Sierra Canyon CA: Ilawole – a 3-star recruit – did well distributing the ball to her various hitters. She’s a confident setter and does well playing defense too. Bethanie Wu SR S Lovejoy CA: Wu was running a 5-1 on Saturday and doing it well.