The third wave of AAUs started Thursday, meaning it was time for the 17 Open to get underway. We’ve already seen Northern Lights 14-1 and Mintonette Sports m.51 take home Open gold medals from their time in Orlando? Who’s up next in 17 Open? We are going to have to wait for that answer until Sunday, when the gold bracket takes place. As for now, let’s introduce our Day 1 All Red Hat Team from the 17s action we witnessed on the opening 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 1 ALL RED HAT TEAM
Jersey Loyer OH Summit 17 Elite: Loyer is such an incredibly fun outside to watch do her thing. An opposing coach had a great comment in that she’s built in the mold of the Louisville outsides. She might be bit undersized compared to others, but what a six-rotation gamer who absolutely brings it on the attack. She’s a springy attacker with a great arm and helped Summit go 3-0 and take over the No. 1 seed.
Dionna Mitchell OH Top Select 17 Elite: Top Select went 3-0 as well, with Mitchell putting on a show at times with her athletic ability. She was soaring and roaring, pounding down kills with authority. As soon as the defense dug in, she would hit them with a deceptive tip and catch them flat-footed and left in frustration.
Faith Young MB Tri-State Elite 17 Blue: Tri-State Elite rolled through its three opponents. No one had answers for Young in the middle. She carries a big arm and bashes balls left and right with lots of strength and power.
Ava Durgan MB RVC 17 Kari: Durgan was another standout middle who made us take notice. It was an overall rough day for RVC, which went 0-3. However, Durgan was rocketing balls down in the middle and providing a real offensive weapon.
Kamaluhia Garcia RS Ku’Ikahi 17 RSB: Garcia played up on 17s last year as Ku’Ikahi earned a bronze medal. She was back at it on Day 1 in a hybrid role. She was lined up as an outside and she was passing out of serve receive at times. Yet, she would switch and play on the right side both front and back row, where was a legit threat. Ku’Ikahi loves to move her around and get her swinging from everywhere on the court. And why not? She’s lanky, extends really well and has a wide range of shots.
Jessica Neiman RS Maverick 17 Elite: Neiman was a feisty attacker and playing with tons of energy. The lefty has a nice arm and was bringing it. She’s a featured part of the attack and was taking a lot of swings.
Carolyn Maser S Nebraska Jrs 17 Black: Maser is a smooth disher. The 6-0 setter also plays sound defense and has a good presence at net. She runs a nice offense and doesn’t get rattled, showing a calming presence while directing the attack.
Kaylee Musick S Mintonette Sports m.71: Musick was another setting orchestrating the attack with ease. She’s also a taller setter with a soft touch and release. She was moving the ball around and locating well.
Elsie McCutchan L/DS EU 17 Black: McCutchan is a workhorse in the back row. She’s vocal and is a steady and consistent passer. She was covering well and picking off a few hard-hit swings.
Julia Murdy L/DS Renaissance 17 Black: Murdy was getting after it defensively, passing and defending well and bringing tons of energy and fire. She was hustling all over the court keeping her team in the rally.
