The Ann Kang Invitational was one of the first major tournaments of the high school season. vballrecruiter.com was on hand providing coverage of the three-day event. If you missed anything you can catch up on Day 1, Day 2, Mira Costa winning the championship and the All-Tournament team. Below, we present our Ann Kang Show Stoppers featuring the players who caught our attention the most over the three days in Hawaii.
Brooke Naniseni, Sr OH, ‘Iolani – A 6-1 outside, Naniseni is a big part of the offense with her strong arm and ability to find the open spots on the floor. She’s an aggressive hitter who does well challenging the block and keeping pressure on the defense.
Senna Roberts-Navarro, Sr OH, ‘Iolani – Roberts-Navarro is very similar to Naniseni in what she brings to the attack and how much ‘Iolani relies on her to provide a scoring punch. She’s also a physical hitter who hits a heavy ball and does well going down the line and forcing defenses to make a play on her.
Mari Lawton, Sr MB, ‘Iolani – Lawton is 5-11 but she makes her presence known with her contributions on both sides of the ball. Her quickness serves her well when attacking and she has a nice arm. When in system, defenses have to be aware of her as ‘Iolani will look to get her involved.
Maya Imoto-Eakin, Sr S, ‘Iolani – A 5-9 quarterback, Imoto-Eakin has a really nice touch and soft hands. She sets a clean ball and puts her hitters in positions to score on a regular basis with her consistent location.
Mele Corral-Blagojevich, Sr OH, Redondo Union – Corral-Blagojevich has been one of the centerpieces in the lineup since her freshman season and now a senior she’s the do-it-all six-rotation outside hitter every team would love to have. Her experience makes her a steadying experience. Toss in her scoring touch and serving skills and she’s a dynamic player.
Nicole Lankton, Sr MB, Redondo Union – Lankton brings height to the front row and she can help open up the offense. Like any middle, the team needs to pass well to utilize her and when Redondo does Lankton is an option on the slide.
Malu Garcia, Jr OH, Moanalua – This lefty is a six-rotation outside who is charged with carrying the offensive load. Wherever Garcia lines up she’s a scoring threat as Moanalua is constantly giving her the ball and asking her to make plays.
Leilani Giusta, Sr OH, Moanalua – Giusta is another member of the Moanalua who is looked upon to provide a scoring punch. She’s a smart, capable attacker with a good arm and calm demeanor.
Natalie Fukumoto, L/DS, Moanalua – Fukumoto was one of the better defenders in the field. She’s strong and effective out of serve receive and she hustles as well chasing down balls and keeping rallies alive.
Kaci DeMaria, Soph OH, Palos Verdes – A 6-1 outside, we know DeMaria well from the past club season when she starred for Surfside. She’s a huge offensive weapon for the Sea Kings, who rely on her to provide plenty of offense. Her height allows her to go over blocks easily and blast balls to the open space.
Tatum Lane, Sr S, Palos Verdes – A 5-10 setter, the way Palos Verdes is built Lane doesn’t need to be flashy to direct the offense and do her part. She’s steady and knows who she needs to get the ball to at the right times.
Kendall Beshear, Jr OH, Palos Verdes – Beshear is a bit undersized at 5-9 but she’s a six-rotation contributor who hits a heavy ball and jump serves as well. She’s a heady attacker, who can take stuff off her shots to keep defenses off balanced.
Melie Vaioleti, Sr L/DS, Punahou – Vaioleti was a standout libero over the three-day tournament. Punahou doesn’t have the size to match up with other teams in the field, so passing and ball control are fundamental to its success. That’s where Vaioleti fits in perfectly, as she’s a strong passer and makes tons of plays digging and extending points.
Marumoto Haumea, Jr OH, Punahou – Haumea showed she knows how to score and doesn’t back down from the blockers in front of her. She’s a smart hitter who can tool blocks or go off speed to find gaps in the defense.
Charlie Fuerbringer, Jr S/RS, Mira Costa – Fuerbringer was voted the Most Outstanding Player as Mira Costa captured the title. At times she ran a 5-1 and other moments a 6-2. She’s versatile in that way and is also a great defender. She routinely gets her hitters one-on-one looks and when she’s asked to provide offense her beach skills are on full display.
Tanon Rosenthal, Sr S/RS, Mira Costa – Rosenthal is an out-of-state transfer from Texas and she’s a key addition to the lineup. She also brings versatility, as she can hit in the front row and set in the back. Or she can be a six-rotation right side who can provide offense in the back row.
Drew Wright, Sr OH, Mira Costa – Wright had a strong showing for the Mustangs. She’s a key component as she’s played in plenty of high-level matches and doesn’t rattle easily. She’s an exceptional passer and someone who can provide reliable offense as well.
Taylor Deckert, Soph L/DS, Mira Costa – Mira Costa has a good one in Deckert. She has a cool demeanor as a defender and brings lots of ball control to the lineup. She’s strong out of serve receive and reads the court well.
Molly McCluskey, Jr S/RS, Edison – McCluskey is a highlight for Edison with her two-way contributions. She’s lanky and defenses can struggle containing her on the right side. She’s Edison’s best offensive option but the Chargers need to pass well to get her involved enough to make a difference.
Olivia Babcock, Sr RS, Sierra Canyon – A force for Sunshine this past club season, Babcock is among the best high school players in the country. At this level, she’s virtually unstoppable with her height and ability to get up and go over blocks. She hits hard and will get set all the way around.
Sade Ilawole, Jr S, Sierra Canyon – Ilawole has lots to work with as Sierra Canyon is a very balanced team. She showed a knack for riding the hot hand while also knowing when to mix in the middle attack.
Madeline Way, Jr MB, Sierra Canyon – Way is a game-changing middle when she checks in across the front row. She brings a different dynamic to the floor as she can score effectively off various sets. She’s also a strong blocker who gives her teams points in that manner too.
Danica Rach, Jr OH, Sierra Canyon – With Rach, Sierra Canyion has another reliable scorer, whether front or back row. She has a lively arm and stays aggressive with her attacking.
Jaida Sione, Sr OH, Sierra Canyon – Count Sione among the players defenses have to worry about. She brings physicality to the attack and isn’t shy about attacking blocks.
Lauren Lynch, Soph L/DS, Sierra Canyon – Lynch was a stud defender for the Trailblazers. At times, she makes it look easy and effortless the way she gets a hard-hit ball up and she has no problem taking command of the back row.
