The Arlington Invitational Showcase was run differently than your normal preseason high school tournament. There were three locations with two different pools running over a day and a half. Matches were best-of-five and each location had its own championship. There ended up being three champions and three MVPs. I had seen a few of these teams back at the Mansfield tournament two weeks ago so it was great to see how much those teams had grown since the first weekend and I loved being able to catch some new teams! Congrats to McKinney, Arlington Martin and Richland for winning the tournament titles. Below, you can find our tournament Show Stoppers, Under The Radar Players, Freshmen Standouts and the All-Tournament Team.
SHOW STOPPERS
Olivia Cohee, SO OH, McKinney – A 4-star recruit, Cohee led her team to one of the three titles for the weekend. A heavy hitter and a ball control oriented passer, she is one to continue to watch over the years.
Kensie Mundell, SR L, Arlington Martin – Mundell is an anchor for her team in the backcourt who led her team to one of the three tournament titles. She’s a ball control oriented libero who was scrappy defensively all weekend.
Emily Keoen, SR S, Richland – Keoen is a 5-1 setter who led her team to one of the three titles this weekend. She showed great hands with a smooth demeanor.
Miller Mcdonald, SR S, Lake Highlands – Miller, a 3-star recruit, is a crafty 5-1 setter. She’s consistent with great placement.
Lainee Pyles, JR OH, Fossil Ridge – Pyles, the 16 Open MVP at Junior Nationals, completely dominated on the outside. This 4-star recruit hit a heavy ball from wherever she was.
Brynn Dowd, SR OH, Mansfield Legacy – Crafty is the first word that comes to mind for Dowd. She can swing with authority or place the ball, but either way it usually ended the play with a point.
Kenna Buchanan, SR OH, Midlothian – The 17 USA MVP at Junior Nationals is a 3-star recruit who can do it all. Buchanan might be undersized but don’t let that fool you. She can swing from anywhere on the court with the best of them.
Alayna Guerrero, SR S/MB, Red Oak – Guerrero was a ‘Jack of all trades’ on the court for Red Oak. She proved to be a court leader all around.
Kennedy Jean-Louis, SR MB, South Grand Prairie – Jean-Louis is both a scoring threat and a defensive threat in the middle.
Meredith Sanning, JR S, Tascosa – A undersized setter who is athletic, fast, and crafty. She leads her team on the court.
Faiana Halatoa, SR OH, Euless Trinity – Halatoa hits a heavy ball on both pins. Defensively at the net she is huge.
Rachel Resta, JR S, Mansfield – Resta is the quarterback of her team. She has a beautiful touch and a great setter IQ.
Morgan Collier, SO MB, Joshua – Collier is definitely someone to watch moving forward. An undersized middle with a huge presence. She is quick and fiery.
Rachael Spicer, SR MB, Arlington – An all around threat, from blocking to swinging to playing in the back, Spicer can do it all.
Lily Hamilton, JR OH, Timber Creek – Hamilton, a 3-star recruit, played the pins well. She’s an aggressive hitter with a huge block.
***
Under the Radar Players
Alexis Dolton, SR S, Abilene
Ahlyss McDaniel, SR OH, Burleson
Tatum McBloom, SR MB, Burleson
Peyton Cole, SR L, Joshua
Autumn Wilburn, SR MB, Hereford
Camryn Blair, SR OH, Hereford
Natalia Newsome, JR MB, Arlington Martin
Rhian Carter, SR Opp, Arlington Martin
Payton Tompkins, JR S, Lake Highlands
Hannah Russ, JR MB, Arlington
Fabiola Betancourt, SR OH, Euless Trinity
Kamiera Watkins, SR MB, Euless Trinity
Jenna McMichael, SR L, Midlothian
Lauren Safrit, SR OH, Midlothian
Alyssa Castillo, SR L, Fossil Ridge
Morgynne McQueen, JR MB, Chisholm Trail
Juju Ogueri, SO MB, Lakeview Centennial
Trinity Nunley, JR MB, Richland
Brooke Bohannon, SR OH, Richland
Maddie McKee, JR L, Arlington Lamar
Isa Reneau, JR S, Arlington Lamar
Lauren Demuth, JR MB, Mansfield
Nicole Ngo, SR L, Mansfield
Anaiah Turner, JR MB, Mansfield Summit
Sarahi Paez, JR L, Mansfield Summit
Brooklyn Ramey Halkyard, JR MB, Mansfield Legacy
Laynie Kovacs, SR L, McKinney
Kyanna Creecy, SR MB, McKinney
Alanna Deering, SR OH, North Crowley
Madelyn Ross, SO S, South Grand Prairie
Kassidy Langeland, SO L, Tascosa
Addi McCrary, SR L, Timber Creek
***
Freshmen Standouts
Elle Holley, FR OH, Lake Highlands
Malaya Balina-Ayers, FR MB, Burleson
Malia Miller, FR OH, Euless Trinity
Caitlyn Cavitt, FR OH, Arlington Martin
Brynley Buck, FR L, Mansfield Legacy
Jayden Fitzgerald, FR OH, Red Oak
Jaedyn Sheffield, FR OH, Red Oak
Katrina Garcia, FR DS, South Grand Prairie
Nylah Lewis, FR OH, Timber Creek
Addison Litke, FR OH, Joshua
Keara Savory Calbo, FR MB, Mansfield Summit
***
MVPs and All-Tournament Team
Showcase MVP: Olivia Cohee, SO OH, McKinney
Showcase MVP : Richland – Emily Keohen
Showcase MVP: Martin – Kensie Mundell
All-Tournament Team:
Alexis Dolton, SR S, Abilene
Hannah Russ, JR MB, Arlington
Ahlyss McDaniel, SR OH, Burleson
Morgynne McQueen, JR MB, Chisholm Trail
Lainee Pyles, JR OH, Fossil Ridge
Nickilah Whatley, SR MB, Hereford
Peyton Cole, SR L, Joshua
Payton Tompkins, JR OH, Lake Highlands
Juju Ogueri, SO MB, Lakeview Centennial
Maddie McKee, JR L, Arlington Lamar
Brynn Dowd, SR OH, Mansfield Legacy
Lauren Demuth, JR MB, Mansfield
Anaiah Turner, SR MB, Mansfield Summit
Natalia Newsome, JR MB, Arlington Lamar
Laynie Kovacs, SR L, Mckinney
Kenna Buchanan, SR OH, Midlothian
Alanna Deering, SR OH, North Crowley
Alayna Guerrero, SR S/MB, Red Oak
Brooke Bohannon, SR OH, Richland
Kennedy Jean-Louis, SR MB, South Grand Prairie
Meredith Sanning, JR S, Tascosa
Addi McCrary, SR L, Timber Creek
Faiana Halatoa, SR OH, Euless Trinity
