Day 4 was high energy as we entered the last day of the AAU National Championships Wave 3. So much fun, so much excitement, so much energy on the courts.
A few of the matches I watched were high passion and straight energy. The semifinals matchup between VAQUERAS 13-1 and OT 13 T Tabitha was electric. VAQUERAS 13-1 ended up winning the match 25-19, 22-25, 15-4. For OT 13 T Tabitha outside Isabel Penrose was lights-out on the court. She powered through the blocks over and over again. Her energy was infectious. Setter/right side Molly Monday, outside hitter/middle blocker Leilani Lamar, middle blocker Makaia Mohammed and outside Addelyn Vanduinen also had some great moments for their squad. On the VAQUERAS 13-1 side of the net Decelise Champion was incredible. The six-rotation opposite hitter was high-flying and powerful wherever she swung. The setter Natania Negron, outside hitter Paula Jimenez and libero Mia Erazo had their moments of greatness and helped lead their squad to the finals.
On the other side of the bracket A5 13-Karen squared off against the newly-crowned 2023 USAV 13 Open Champions Legacy 13-1 ADIDAS, with Legacy winning the match in 25-18, 29-27. For A5 outside hitter Leah Stickney had a great match defensively and added big kills at crucial points. Middle blocker Kennedy Davis came up big defensively at the net too. And shout out to outside hitter Caelyn Whosendove for coming off the bench and collecting big time kills in a pinch. For Legacy outside hitter Lexi Coleman was cracking the ball over and over again. The setter/right side duo Kaelyn Easton and Payton Woodruff also got big time points offensively while dishing their hitters with ease from the back row. Middle blockers McKenzie Andrews and Lauren Sheldon also came up big at the net. And shoutout to the defensive specialists Allison Lee and Taylor Wilson coming in and passing nails.
The 12 Open Gold Bracket matches were being played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports State Farm Fieldhouse courts so I was not able to watch them BUT a match I enjoyed watching was OT 12 O Gibby vs Mintonette Sports m.21 in the Consolation semifinals. OT 12 O Gibby ended up winning the match in three, 25-19, 14-25, 15-13. For OT 12 O Gibby six-rotation outside hitter Gabriella Travieso led the way. Outside hitter Kaylee Winkler, right side hitter Mya Green, and middle blocker Samarie Perez also shined on the court. Mintonette Sports m.21’s setter Roxanne Rigo was impressive on the court. She dished to her hitters with authority AND blocked well at the net. Outside hitter Reese Fenner, right side Emma Steele and middle blocker Sydney Walburn contributed offensively.
Like I mentioned above I was not able to watch the 12 Open Gold bracket so I couldn’t write on those teams or pick Show Stoppers. BUT congrats to A5 12-LA for winning the Gold in 3 over BORINQUEN COQUI, 25-11, 24-26, 15-6!
DAY 4 SHOW STOPPERS
Leah Stickney OH A5 13-Karen: Stickney was a mainstay on the court. She was playing great defensively along tooling the block consistently in the front row.
Caelyn Whosendove OH A5 13-Karen: Whosendove jumped on the court at critical times and was very effective offensively. And even though she wasn’t playing all the time her role was vital for her squad.
Lexi Coleman OH Legacy 13-1 ADIDAS: Coleman just keeps getting better. When she connects on the ball she can bring the heat.
Lauren Sheldon MB Legacy 13-1 ADIDAS: Sheldon did a great job moving laterally on the net, both defensively and offensively.
McKenzie Andrews MB Legacy 13-1 ADIDAS: Andrews collected key blocks and kills when the points were on the line.
Isabel Penrose OH OT 13 T Tabitha: Penrose was on fire. She was swinging with no fear everywhere on the court and bringing epic emotion after the plays!
Molly Monday S/RS OT 13 T Tabitha: Monday was attacking smart in the front row. When she was setting she placed the ball well.
Decelise Champion RS VAQUERAS 13-1: What else can I say about Champion except she can control outcomes of matches when she is on.
Natania Negron S VAQUERAS 13-1: Negron did a great job moving the ball around and picked up great blocks for crucial points.
Paula Jimenez OH VAQUERAS 13-1: Don’t let Jimenez’s size fool you, she can sky on the outside. And she swings with a vengeance on the outside.
Elena White OH Top Select 13 Elite: White was a go-to for her squad.
Kayleigh Rogers OH/MB Adidas KIVA 13 Red: Rogers was alot of fun to watch all over the court. She was scoring offensively and playing great defense in the back row.
Carsyn Chitty L Mintonette Sports – m.31: Chitty is a scrappy libero who runs her side of the court.
Rohm Takamoto L Mauloa 13’s Green: Takamoto was playing great defense against the VAQUERAS 13-1 team.
Gabriella Travieso OH OT 12 O Gibby: Travieso, a six-rotation outside hitter, was swinging incredibly well and passing well out in serve receive.
Kaylee Winkler OH OT 12 O Gibby: Winkler can hit a heavy ball when she connects.
Roxanne Rigo S Mintonette Sports – m.21: Rigo, a 5-1 setter, is someone to watch continue to grow in the game. She has great extension and a great net presence.
Sydney Walburn MB Mintonette Sports – m.21: Walburn is a wall for her squad.
Alana Blas S TOVC 12u- Ruben: Blas dishes incredibly well to her hitters. She has a great touch on the ball.
Caryam Gil Carrion MB Capitanas 12-1: Gil Carrion has a ton of power offensively and is fun to watch when she connects with the ball.
Adianis Mejia OH Wildfire 12N Ore: Meija is another six-rotation scrappy outside who swings with no fear and aggression.
