The third wave of AAUs is under way. It features all of the 16s division. We spent the opening day getting to as much action as we could. Below, we present our Day 1 Show Stoppers featuring the players who made us take notice the most.
DAY 1 SHOW STOPPERS
Ellie Stiernagle S SPVB 16 Elite: A 6-1, 3-star setter, Stiernagle’s height is a real advantage. Not only is she a factor at the net with her ability to go over on two and block, she has does a really nice job mixing her sets up and spreading the ball around.
Abbey Knight RS SPVB 16 Elite: A 3-star recruit, the 6-0 Knight adds power to the lineup. She’s a physical hitter who pounds a heavy ball and can overwhelm defenders at times.
Jasmine Daniels S Rev 16-1 Fury: Daniels is a sparkplug of a setter. She does a really good job running the offense and getting her hitters involved. She has nice hands and a consistent release.
Taylor Wathen OH MAVA Adidas 16 Select: A 6-3 outside, Wathen is a presence on the pin. She has a big arm and when the opportunity there she can load up and hammer shots down.
Norah Campbell L/DS MAVA Adidas 16 Select: Campbell was among the defenders who stood out. She’s steady out of serve receive and passing to target.
Kylee Sells L/DS MAVA Adidas 16 Select: Sells helped make up a strong defensive back row for MAVA. She too was passing consistently and did well covering the court and keeping balls in play.
Callie Largent S Triad United 16 Teal: Largent stood out with her consistent release and ability to locate. She was also able to move the ball around well.
Emma Pastusic OH Triad United 16 Teal: Pastusic helped carry the offense. She has a strong arm and hits with power. She’s also able to mix it up with off-speed shots to keep the defense guessing.
Rayna Christianson S/RS Northern Lights 16-1: A 5-star setter/right side and recent Creighton commit, Christianson is an impact player and game-changer. She’s a smooth setter with a soft touch. Offensively, she can lineup and swing it from anywhere along the front row.
Maddie Kraft L/DS Northern Lights 16-1: A 4-star defender, Kraft was playing well in the back row. She was all over the court making plays and extending rallies. She was also solid out of serve receive and controlling the first touch.
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Brynn Burgk S Wildfire 16 Open: A 6-0 setter, Burgk caught our attention with her ability to locate and put up a clean ball consistently. She has nice hands and puts her hitters in good spots.
Morgan Heater S Tri-State Elite 16 Blue: A 3-star, 6-1 setter, Heater was another setter who showed tons of potential. She moves well and gets her feet to the ball. She too has nice hands and does well getting all her hitters involved.
Alexandra Abernathy MB SC Elite 16 Elite: Abernathy, at 6-3, is a factor in the middle. She puts up a solid block. She can also put it down offensively. She has a strong arm and gives her side an offensive threat defenses need to worry about.
Fallon Humphries OH QCA Royals 16 National: A 6-0 outside from the Class of 2025 and North Florida commit, Humphries is a wirey attacker. She has a lively arm and snaps it with authority.
Ryan Murphy S JJVA 16 Teal: A Florida State beach commit from the Class of 2025, Murphy was among the setters who stood out. She has very nice hands with a soft, clean release.
Mollie VanDeusen RS JJVA 16 Teal: A 6-1, 3-star recruit from the Class of 2027, VanDeusen showed what she can bring to the floor as a six-rotation right side. She’s a smart hitter who sees the floor and can hit with power too.
Emma Keeping S/RS Mich Elite 16 Mizuno: Keeping did well in her dual role. The lefty is solid on the attack and finds ways to score. She also did well dishing and putting her hitters in good positions.
Allie Davison S Mich Elite 16 Mizuno: Davison also showed up well setting. She’s quick and has nice hands as well as locating well.
Isabelle Kremer OH Iowa Rockets 16R: A 6-2 outside, Kremer adds physicality to the offense. She has a really strong arm and can thunder shots down at times.
Sophia Albaugh OH OT 16 Will: A 6-1 outside from the Class of 2027, Albaugh has tons of potential. She’s lanky and can swing it front and back row. She hits with pace and is going to continue to add to her game.
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Rylan Miller L/DS OT 16 Will: Miller – a 4-star Georgia commit – does everything that’s needed. She sees the court and reads and react well. She’s a spot on passer with the ability to cover a lot of court.
Avery MacMeccan L Stars 16 Sanders: MacMeccan showcases impressive talent in positioning herself on the court, especially against float serves from Infinity 16 Green. By adeptly creating space between her platform and body, she makes her digging technique more efficient. Her keen game sense allows her to read plays accurately, ensuring she keeps her actions straightforward and effective.
Olivia Smith OH Stars 16 Sanders: Smith is an incredibly versatile player, excelling both at the net and in the back row. Her ability to deliver smart shots, execute critical defensive saves, and orchestrate powerful plays highlights her adaptability and talent. These qualities made her capable of contributing effectively in any position against Infinity 16 Green.
Ammecy Ray L/DS SPVB 16 Red; Ray, playing as libero, displayed outstanding determination throughout the game leading her team to victory, consistently passing difficult balls with precision. She also effortlessly took over for the setter when required, delivering top-notch sets and highlighting her versatility and dedication on the court against SC Midlands National R.
Juliana Padavic S SPVB 16 Red: Padavic, as a setter, possesses the ability to perform at high levels, expertly running a fast defense and making quick decisions when setting. Her strategic play ensures her offense is set up for success, as demonstrated against SC Midlands National R.
Lauren Curran OH SPVB 16 Red: Curran is a dominant presence on the outside, consistently elevating quickly and delivering powerful hits that challenge opposing defenses. Her explosive athleticism and reliable attacks were pivotal in her team’s narrow victory over SC Midlands National R.
Madison Pridon S Mizuno M1 16-1: Pridon proves to be a dependable force throughout the game, especially given her setting. Her accurate sets not only provide doors for her teammates, but they also demonstrate her strategic thought. Pridon is a crucial player because of her ability to remain calm under pressure and make fast decisions in the game against VBC 16-1. She can set the tone, which gives her a leadership role.
Marissa Michaelis OPP Mizuno M1 16-1: Michaelis left a lasting impression in the match against Impact VBC 16-1, delivering a series of powerful swings down the line. Her offensive prowess was on full display, making her a formidable force to contend with on the court. Her ability to exploit openings on the court and hit over blocks demonstrated her value as a key player in maintaining her team’s momentum.
Lexi Seres DS Legacy 16 Elite: Seres played a pivotal role in dominating FCA UpState 16-1 with her exceptional serve receive technique. Her enthusiasm and ability to expand her range on the court gave her setter a full array of offensive options. Seras’ precise passing and court awareness were crucial in setting up a dynamic and effective offense. Additionally, she went on a few point-serving runs, applying pressure in the second set.
Devyn Kobe OH Legacy 16 Elite: Kobe showcases her strength on the outside by consistently overpowering blocks with her swings. She attacks with confidence, demonstrating her offensive skill. Additionally, Kobe excels in putting up a solid block on both the right side and the pin, making a few blocks against FCA UpState 16-1, making her an intimidating presence at the net.
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Lyllah Sapp S DartFrog 16 Black: Sapp, a setter, plays with immense passion and energy. Her exceptional defensive coverage on the attack line allows her to transition smoothly into setting, keeping the momentum and leading her team to a decisive victory over Princeton 16-2. Her seamless play ensures a strong offensive rhythm, making her a valuable player to DartFrog 16 Black.
Brinkley Funkhouse L DartFrog 16 Black: Funkhouse showcased outstanding defense throughout the match, including an impressive pancake nearing the end of the first set against Princeton 16-2. Her consistent serve receive and tempo passing were crucial in dominating Princeton, contributing significantly to the team’s commanding victory.
Camila Valenzuela S/RS WPVC 16 Armour Silver: Valenzuela’s impact on the court was undeniable as she showcased her versatility and skill in various positions. Whether on the pin, right side or setting, she adapted seamlessly, highlighting her athleticism and ability to contribute effectively wherever she was needed. Valenzuel’s performance was instrumental in her team’s success verse Rolling Thunder 16 Blue.
Angelina Knapik MB WPVC 16 Armour Silver: Knapik has a long reach and isn’t afraid to compete; you can see she gives it her all to succeed. She contributes defensively and closes her block by moving well laterally along the net, knowing her position. She has great visual awareness to her surrounding players and can easily run strategic offensive plays out of the middle.
Chloe Johnson OH OMNI 16 Elite: During the match versus 16 Elite Taylor, it is evident that Johnson not only possesses an extremely explosive approach when set tight, but she also maintains that same intensity when she isn’t set correctly and is attempting to solve out of system balls.
Mia Salvemini MB OMNI 16 Elite: Salvemini possesses a lot of balance and stability in the middle and she is able to load quickly. She demonstrates in her match against OOB – 16 Elite Taylor that she can easily read the setter and position herself accordingly, being an effective first line of defense for her team.
Abigail Watts DS Sandhills 16 Moe: Watts had a steady passing game during their match against GCVC 16 Blue and this is the backbone of any successful team, providing a solid foundation for offensive plays to develop. Her strong passing skills not only ensure the ball reaches the setter accurately but also allow the team to maintain control and dictate the pace of the game. Her consistent and reliable passing created a sense of stability on the court, boosting the team’s confidence and cohesion. She quietly but effectively laid the groundwork for victory.
Kailah Harris OH Sandhills 16 Moe: Harris has a remarkable court vision and a keen understanding for her role on the court, often seeming a step ahead of the game. Her strategic plays and well-thought-out moves demonstrate her exceptional ability to anticipate the flow of the game. Her talent lies in making split-second decisions that set her apart from other outsides.
Yetlieris Quinones OH/OPP Club Voleibol Vaqueros 16-2 (PU): When Quinones swings, there’s considerable force behind her hits, making them hard to dig even when defenders are in the right position. At the net, she presents a huge block, occupying a significant amount of space. This block not only makes it challenging for GSEVC 16 National Black to get the ball past her but also effectively slows down the ball, helping her teammates.
Thaliah Cabrera L Club Voleibol Vaqueros 16-2 (PU): Cabrera is a defensive powerhouse, exhibited exceptional saves that defy expectations in the match against GSEVC 16 National Black. She fearlessly throws herself into any play, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to keeping the ball in play. Her teammates rely on her tenacity and skill, knowing that she will go to great lengths to keep the rally alive. Her determination and selfless play make her a HUGE asset to this team.
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Lea Okogbenin MB CJV 16 National White: Okogbenin demonstrated exceptional anticipation skills, easily predicting where the ball would be hit. She had a keen ability to visually track the ball’s trajectory, enabling her to time her hitting and blocking effectively. Additionally, her impressive vertical allowed her to reach higher and make plays that others couldn’t.
Lauren Childress L CJV 16 National White: Childress was a serving machine during the match against Empower 16 Elite Black. She consistently delivered multiple aces, and when her serves weren’t aces, they effectively pushed the opposing team out of system. Additionally, her passing and defensive skills were instrumental in securing the victory.
Anna Schiltz Top Flight 16 Elite: Schiltz excels at keeping up with a fast offense, where KC Power 16 Red blockers’ struggle to get their timing right, often appearing late to the play. Her ability to get on top of the ball when attacking allows her to hit all angles of the court with precision and power, putting pressure on the opposing team and contributing to their win over KC Power.
Enki Andrea Juan S Top Flight 16 Elite: Andrea’s setting stands out by her speed and quick release, making it challenging for KC Power 16 Red to read. She has formed excellent connections with her hitters, enabling her to deliver sets that perfectly suit their strengths. Andrea’s fast-paced setting style keeps the opposing team on their toes, contributing to her team’s offensive prowess and success.
Anja Nelson L CI Elite 16-Elite: Nelson showed exceptional anticipation and readiness on the court. She was consistently prepared for the Tsunami C161N Stuart setter’s dumps in the first set, highlighting her keen awareness of the game. Additionally, Nelson constantly improved the ball, demonstrating her commitment to delivering quality plays for her team.
Addison Duncheon OH CI Elite 16-Elite: Duncheon was a defensive standout, making some impressive digs throughout the match. Her ability to attack from the back row added a dynamic element to her team’s offense, keeping the opposition guessing and showcasing her versatility on the court. She also showcases smooth and effective movements off the net proving her readiness to attack from the pin.
