It was an incredible – and familiar – ending in the 16 Open division at AAU nationals as the third wave wrapped up Monday at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. You can read about Mintonette Sports m.61 downing Skyline 16 Royal in the championship match here. Below, we highlight the standout performers from Day 4 with our Show Stoppers.
DAY 4 SHOW STOPPERS
Emma Cugino L/DS Mintonette Sports m.61: A recent Texas commit and 5-star recruit, Cugino showed why she’s one of the best in her class to do it. She does not get rattled no matter the situation. She’s sharp and steady and a lights-out passer.
Alia Schoonover MB Mintonette Sports m.61: A 3-star recruit, Schoonover brought a true offensive dynamic to the middle. She runs an effective slide attack and can put it away cross court, in the seams or down the line with equally effectiveness as she lit up defenses all day long.
Kaela Jenkins MB Mintonette Sports m.61: Jenkins was the unsung hero for Mintonette on the final day of competition. She brought a blocking edge and delivered big-time stuffs at key moments, including on championship point to help Mintonette clinch the 16 Open gold medal.
Madison Victoriano S Skyline 16 Royal: A 3-star setter and recent Vanderbilt commit, Victoriano is a smooth disher. She has great hands, locates well and can deliver all the sets to get her hitters involved.
Lexi Anderson OH Skyline 16 Royal: Anderson – a 3-star recruit – gave Skyline a boost with the role she played. At times she helped steady out the passing in serve receive. Other times she came through on the attack to help move the offense along.
Keoni Williams MB Skyline 16 Royal: A 5-star middle, the 6-4 Williams forces defenses to be aware of her. Teams have to avoid hitting into her on the attack and then must be ready for Williams to come at them when Skyline is in system.
Jordin Southall OH GP 16 Rox: Southall – a 3-star recruit – was injured earlier this season and the Sunshine Classic and GP struggled in her absence. With her back, the team reached the semifinals. She’s a quick attacker with a fast arm to match. She also held it down defensively and made many saves.
Catherine Palmi OH GP 16 Rox: Palmi – another 3-star recruit – is a glue piece. She’s a heady attacker with a heavy arm. But she doesn’t always need to hit hard to be effective as she frustrated defenses with well-placed off-speed shots. She also has a booming serve and can go on runs as a result.
Elena Hoecke MB MN Select 16-1: Hoecke – a 5-star middle and recent Minnesota commit – Hoecke is a force at the net. She puts up a massive block. She also has a huge arm and can pound kills down with authority.
Ellery DeBoer S MN Select 16-1: DeBoer – a 3-star setter from the Class of 2027 – does a great job running the offense. She’s quick on her feet, gets to the ball well and knows how to incorporate all her hitters.
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Gabby Divita OH Legacy 16-1 Adidas: A 5-star outside and recent Nebraska commit, Divita was bringing it. She almost singled-handily overwhelmed SynergyForce in the Round of 16. She has a lightning quick arm and can rip shots from sideline to sideline.
Rayna Christianson S/RS Northern Lights 16-1: Christianson – a 5-star setter/right side and recent Creighton commit – is a special talent. At 6-3, she has the size and length to excel at the next level. She’s a high-level setter with her ability to move the ball around with ease. She’s also a handful offensively, as she can hit anywhere across the front row with plenty of pace.
Madi Kraft L/DS Northern Lights 16-1: Kraft, a 4-star defender, makes big-time saves at times on hard-driven shots. She extended lots of rallies and kept her side in the play.
Kendall Worwa MB Northern Lights 16-1: Worwa did well in her role in the middle. She as able to score with called upon. She also did well getting touches at the net.
Sophia Stallworth OH OT 16 Roberto: A 4-star recruit, Stallworth has a potent arm and was providing plenty of offense for her side. She can get up and hit through, around or over blockers.
Merritt Sliwa OH Rev 16-1 Fury: A 3-star outside, Sliwa was part of a feisty Rev group that was playing without a couple regular starters. She can really connect at times and provided a punch to the attack.
Izzy Masten OH Rev 16-1 Fury: Masten – a 3-star recruit and recent Pitt commit – is normally in the lineup as a libero. However, she’s been forced to play on the outside in Orlando and showed that though she is undersized at the position still finds ways to score and help her team.
Ava Wilkerson MB Academy 16 Diamond: A 4-star, 6-4 middle, Wilkerson is a presence at the net with her size. She’s a strong blocker. She’s also a strong attacker who can go right over the block.
Genevieve Harris S Academy 16 Diamond: Harris – a 5-star setter and recent Texas commit – is top notch. She can move the ball around effortlessly. She’s really strong at out-of-system balls and still putting her hitters in a spot to do something.
Lexi Shondell S Boiler Jrs 16 Gold: A 4-star recruit, Shondell was among the standout setters. She’s quick with a high IQ. She does really well getting all her hitters involved and running a balanced attack.
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Jillian McCarty S Jupiter Elite 16E: A 6-1 setter/right side, McCarty is a recent Michigan State commit. She’s a consistent, steady disher who locates well.
Macy McAmis L/DS Jupiter Elite 16E: A 3-star defender, McAmis is the definition of scrappy. She brings a ton of energy to the lineup too. She flies around the court making all sorts of plays to help her team.
Abbey Knight RS SPVB 16 Elite: Knight – a 3-star recruit – has a powerful arm and can crush shots. She stayed in at times across the back row, where she can also be a factor too.
Ellie Stiernagle S SPVB 16 Elite: A 6-1, 3-star setter, Stiernagle has lots of upside. She has a clean, consistent release and with her size can be a factor at the net as well.
Cala Haffner L/DS Team Pineapple 16 Black: Haffner – a 4-star defender – is another player who owns the back row. She plays smooth and steady, rarely passing off-target or unable to make the play in front of her.
Marykate Scheumann OH Team Pineapple 16 Black: A 3-star outside and recent Purdue commit, Scheumann is six-rotation outside who does a lot for her team. She’s a strong attacker who hits with power. She is also a solid passer and defender.
Reghan Frazzetta S Atlanta Extreme 16 Jackie: Frazzetta showed immense heart in the game against Nebraska Juniors 16 Red. She covered every inch of the court and strategically placed several dumps throughout the match. Additionally, she frequently utilized her outside hitter, recognizing its effectiveness in breaking through the opponent’s defense.
Riley Tysver DS Atlanta Extreme 16 Jackie: Tysver excelled in serve receive during the game against Nebraska Juniors 16 Red. Her agility and high energy on the court were pivotal, pushing and energizing her teammates throughout the match.
Sami Duran OH A4 Volley 16-Peyton: Duran has remarkable court vision and a keen understanding of her role, often seeming a step ahead of the game. Her strategic plays against Black Swamp 16-1 in the second set showcased her ability to use their blockers to her advantage, tooling them often. With her talent for making split-second decisions, a fast arm swing, and a strong snap, she effectively puts the ball away, making her an impactful player on the court.
Olivia Viola OH/OPP A4 Volley 16-Peyton: In the second set against Black Swamp 16-1, Viola brought out the hammer, getting on top of the ball and swinging hard down the line, shaking their defense. She was unstoppable.
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Courtney Grayson MB Red Storm 16 Elite: Grayson’s exceptional lateral movement proved crucial in the match against Arete Volleyball 16-1, enabling her to cover more ground and close blocks with precision. Furthermore, she showcased her hitting prowess by consistently attacking deep back down the line that were challenging to dig. She also strategically places her tips aggressively, reaching well over the block.
Khayren Josey OH Red Storm 16 Elite: Josey’s versatility is a coach’s dream. She seamlessly transitions between the front and back row, delivering smart shots and critical saves with ease. Against Arete Volleyball 16-1, her adaptability and talent were evident, showcasing her ability to impact the game from multiple roles. Her consistency further solidifies her as a dependable player, providing stability and reliability to her team in every match.
Brooke Byxbee MB Stars 16 Nicholas: Byxbee set the tone for her team with a powerful kill from the middle, scoring their first point of the game against Crossfire 16-3. She effectively closes her blocks, shutting down hitters and limiting their options, which significantly strengthens the team’s defense. This was evident in their match against Crossfire 16-3.
Layla Hinrichs OH Stars 16 Nicholas: Hinrichs has great timing and a smooth approach, enabling her to jump at the right moment and generate maximum power and height on their attacks. She delivers strong, accurate hits, minimizing errors and keeping the pressure on Crossfire 16-3.
Katelyn Xue L SMASH 16-1: Xue is a dependable passer with a solid platform, making her a reliable option for SMASH 16-1 to receive in-system passes. She embodies the principle of “it all starts with a great pass.” Xue demonstrates excellent court movement and confidently takes charge of difficult plays, ensuring her team maintains control throughout the match against Kairos 176 Beta.
Ula Rinkeviciute S SMASH 16-1: Rinkeviciute possesses exceptional hands, enabling her to orchestrate a fast and efficient offense in tandem with her teammates. She consistently gets to the ball square, maximizing her accuracy and effectiveness. Her keen court awareness allows her to identify openings and make smart swings from the right side. Furthermore, her strong communication with her hitters enhances the team’s overall performance.
Abbigayl Sells L Legacy 16-2 Adidas: Sells, anchoring the libero position, exhibited exceptional skill throughout the match, leading her team to a resounding victory over Tampa North 16 Black. Her precise and effective passing under pressure kept her team in control, while her seamless shifts to the setter position showcased her versatility and dedication. Her game elevated throughout the match.
Jillian Ferrill OH Legacy 16-2 Adidas: In a stunning display of athleticism, Ferrill took control of the court, dominating the outside. Impressed with her ability to consistently overpower blocks with her powerful swings. Her decisive play early on showcased her ability to impact the game from the get-go, demonstrating why she’s a key player for her team in the victory over Tampa North 16 Black.
Chloe Garcia S 305 VBC 16 Alan: Garcia excels at consistently varying her offense, strategically utilizing different players in various scenarios. Her precise set control ensures every play is executed with accuracy and effectiveness. On the court, Garcia’s “lightning quick” speed allows her to cover ground rapidly, while her active communication and leadership skills keep her teammates motivated and cohesive throughout the match against WD Nation 16 Blue.
Meghan Carroll MB/RS Dunes 16 Black: Carroll skillfully switches up her offense and positions on the court, keeping 757 16 National guessing. I witnessed her execute deep angle shots, down-the-line hits, and sharp cut shots. She has a diverse array of techniques at her disposal.
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Sydney Hengelfelt S Nebraska One 16 Black: Hengelfelt’s setting is remarkable, characterized by excellent wrist contact that allows her to direct the ball in multiple directions and set at various angles. Her generally good ball control is evident as she squares up and jump sets, making her a versatile and valuable player on the court against Mizuno M1 161.
Avery Burdette OH/OPP TPV 16 Paragon: Burdette generates significant momentum by keeping her hips open and square to her setter, which gives her a greater range to hit multiple shots. Avery emphasizes the last two steps, making them bigger and more explosive. This technique allows her to hit deeper angle balls with power and precision. She focuses on getting a high snap on the ball, adding some heat behind the ball in the match against 314 VBC 16 Red.
Ady Bollinger L Ozark Jrs 16 Elite: Bollinger is highly conscious, powerful, and efficient with her first step in serve receive. This precision sets her up for successful passes, showcasing her skill and focus on the court. Additionally, she demonstrates exceptional balance on contact, further highlighting her technical proficiency.
Lauren Paris OH VA Volleyball 16-Blue: Paris seamlessly transitions from passing to setting herself up for an attack on the pin. With a fast arm swing and a good snap, she consistently hits high deep balls, making her an offensive threat against PEREGRINAS 16U.
CC Porter MB IMGA 16: Porter showcased exceptional activity and agility in the front row, leading her team to dominate TPV 16 Maverick. Her relentless energy and quick movements at the net allowed her to make crucial plays, consistently putting pressure on their defense. Her strong connection with her setter allowed her to effectively time her sets, making her a crucial offensive weapon.
