On Day 3 of the Beach Volleyball Club of America the 18 and 16U national champions were finally crowned on the sands of Hermosa Beach. The 18s division featured 157 teams battling it out while 16s included 125 pairs competing for gold. Sunday also marked the start of 14U division. Here are the teams from all three divisions which caught our attention in our Day 3 Show Stoppers.
18U
Maggie Boyd/Gabriella Walker – It was back-to-back 18U champs for this team! They are the most complete team on the sand. At the net both are strong attackers but Boyd produced some big blocks. Defensively and in serve receive they both read and have a good passing touch allowing for consistent looks for offense. Boyd has got one of the best jump serves on the beach. It’s consistent and has a little cutting action making it tough to read.
Carra Sassack/Ashley Vincent – What a great run to second place for this team. Vincent is just exciting to watch. Her big swing produces so much force and always gets the crowd going. Sassack athleticism was on display in the finals. Being a smaller block she would delay and hang up to get touches while also cutting amazing shots by the big blocks.
Savannah Standage/Erin Inskeep – Inskeep had a week to remember. Last weekend she got second in both 16U and 18U at the AVP tourney. On Sunday, her team had an impressive third-place finish in a stacked field. Her defensive ball control is absolutely amazing, then you add her ability to hit for power and finesse and you get an absolute stud.
Delaney Karl/Chloe Hooker – Karl – a USC commit – was dominating. Her ball control for a blocker was a big reason for her third-place finish. Her serve receive has good passing touch and the defensive transition for big kills showed how athletic and powerful her swing can be.
Sydney Miller/Kaitly Smith – This group was the winner of the silver bracket and Miller impressed in the championship match. With a 6-2 frame and a high reach she hits tough to defend angels. Her athleticism shows in her footwork at the net blocking and ability to drop and defend.
16U
Madeline Walker/Vivian Johnson – This duo’s run to gold here showed poise. With a deep field, not only was their ball control relied upon but they showed how tough they were with a couple of three-set wins. Johnson is an athletic blocker with good control and court vision.
Ingrid Timon-Johnson/Mallory LaBreche – This duo had a great run and finished second. Johnson has good defensive energy with the ability to convert with power. LaBreche doesn’t rattle under pressure. Time and time again she produced big points in tight situations.
Kate Morley/Stacey Reeves – This duo’s ball control and defense rivals anyone else on the beach. Both Morley and Reeves cover an enormous amount of court. While they don’t hit for power their court vision and shot making abilities got them a third-place finish.
Alexandra Kurz/Bella Adishian – Adishian’s net play contributed big time to her team’s third place. She has an excellent block reach allowing her to surprise teams with her block coverage.
Kealoha Phillips/Aensley Matautia – This team took the silver division championship. Phillips’ powerful swing and Matautia’s defense rallied this team back for an exciting three-set win.
14U
Gentry Barker/Haylee Wright – The No. 1 seed had no problems. Wright was a force at the net with her big blocks and crushing kills, while we saw Barker making amazing digs and converting for points.
Audrey Flanagan/Olga Nikolaeva – Flanagan is intimidating. Her 6-0 frame at this age allows her to block so many balls not usually seen. Nikolaeva carries a wide variety of shots in her arsenal and her serves are rockets.
Sara Moynihan/Kara Namimatsu – Moynihan, a southpaw, is explosive. Teams at this age usually don’t see a power swing from that arm angle. Namimatsu covers the court well and shows a good passing touch.
Layla Austin/Jordyn Scribner – Scribner drives her team with her big, powerful swings and fiery emotions. She brings a lot of energy. Austin does a good job picking up balls and converting for points.
Blaire Bowers/Gabriella Rodriguez – A well-balanced team. Rodriguez patrols the end line and doesn’t let many balls drop, while Bowers brings the heat with her big blocks and powerful swings.
