VERA AI
SIGN UP

Premium Content

ESPN Showcase: Prestonwood, St. James Shine

October 7, 2023

The ESPN Volleyball Showcase brought together four of the top volleyball high school squads in the nation. First up was St. James Academy from Kansas who took on Cornerstone Christian out of San Antonio. And that’s not all—following that match was Cathedral Catholic, hailing out of San Diego, California, who went head-to-head with the host school, Prestonwood Christian in Plano, Texas. Friday’s showdowns in the Lone Star state had an unforgettable display of skill, athleticism and pure excitement. AND we hope you witnessed it on ESPN+ and ESPNU! *** Match one: St. James Academy d Cornerstone Christian (25-22, 20-25, 25-23, 25-13) ​​In Game 1 of the match between St. James Academy and Cornerstone Christian it was clear from the get-go that St. James meant business. Junior Reese Messer took charge with her impeccable finesse, cleverly orchestrating offensive plays to open up her teammates for some explosive kills. However, Cornerstone refused to back down, responding with big swings from Megan Fitch, Grace Carroll and Aniya Hall. St. James, undeterred, unleashed its own firepower, with Leah Robinson launching continuously powerful hits that left the opposition scrambling to defend. Meanwhile, Mya Bolton showcased exceptional defensive prowess, defying gravity with breathtaking digs. In Game 2, Fitch came out swinging. For Cornerstone the senior trio of libero Maria Avendano and defensive specialists Giselle Ojeda and Grace Alvarez came in clutch in serve receive and defensively. Middle blocker Olivia Parker and right side Amaya Tolentino also provided great defense at the net. In Game 4, it literally became the Messer show. She did it all. From attacking to defense to dishing she was on fire in all areas which helped her squad really dominate. Show Stoppers Reese Messer JR S St. James Academy KS: Messer, a 5-star recruit committed to USC, was a game changer. She can literally do it all. From dishing butter sets to shutting down the opposition defensively to splitting the opposition with ease Messer owned the court. Leah Robinson SO OH/RS St. James Academy KS: Robinson, a 3-star recruit, was a key component to her squad. She is a six rotation right side who stays on both pins in the front row. Messer also dished a ton of balls to her in the back row in which she cracked on the ball consistently. Julia Headley SR MB St. James Academy: Headley, a Colgate commit, was a wall at the net. She also had some great swings in the middle throughout the match. Mya Bolton SR L St. James Academy KS: Bolton, a 3-star recruit committed to Michigan State, was a defensive gem in the backcourt. She reads the offensive attack well. Heidi Devers SR DS St. James Academy: Dever, a 4-star recruit committed to Kansas, was part of a two part DS tandem that provided great serve reception. Devers also is a scrappy defensive athlete who gets a ton of touches. Katelynn Blaesing SR DS St. James Academy KS: Blaesing, a Creighton commit, was the other part of a great defensive specialist squad that bolstered the back row both in serve receive and defensively. And like Devers, she was able to get some amazing touches defensively. Ava Spachek SR OH St. James Academy KS: Spachek, a 3-star recruit, was another huge contributor offensively for SJA. She packed a punch on the pins consistently. Megan Fitch JR OH Cornerstone Christian: Fitch, a 5-star recruit committed to Texas A&M, is a high-flying scoring machine anywhere on the court. She has a high volleyball IQ which also helps her score at will. PS she is always a ton of fun to watch in all aspects of the game. Grace Carroll SR RS Cornerstone Christian: Carroll, a 4-star recruit committed to Baylor, is a wall on the pin. And when she connects with the ball she literally hits over the block on the reg. Maria Avendano SR L Cornerstone Christian: Avendano, a Texas A&M-Corpus Christi commit, was a silent leader on the court who passed nails and provided her squad great defensive tenacity. *** Match two: Prestonwood Christian d Cathedral Catholic (25-23, 25-21, 25-16) Cathedral Catholic came out on fire. The Dons were led by senior 4-star Michigan commit Jenna Hanes in the middle who was hitting over the block and through the block at will. Also senior right side Tiana Owens was firing through the block at will for Cathedral Catholic. Prestonwood fired back with its arsenal of power led by recent Texas commit and 5-star junior Macaria Spears. And let’s not forget to mention senior 5-star USC commit Jadyn Livings and senior 4-star TCU commit Mikala Young provided big-time kills too. Game 2, like the opening set, had Cathedral neck-and-neck with Prestonwood thanks to amazing defense from junior libero and 4-star Maryland commit Maya Evens and the freshman on the squad setter Kale’a Lee and outside hitter Jojo Wilson owning the court. And outside hitter 3-star Hawaii beach commit Ayva Moi also provided big-time swings on the pins. But Prestonwood would not be silenced. Middle blockers senior 4-star San Diego commit Kennedy Washington and freshman 5-star recruit Nyla Livings came through with huge blocks. Also junior libero and 5-star Houston commit Gillian Pitts provided so much stability in the back court. She was nails in passing and was great defensively consistently. And side note, can we just say it was fun to see a few sister sister blocks by Jadyn and Nyla Livings in this game. In the final set Prestonwood took no prisoners and came out swinging. Junior right side 4-star recruit Taylor Clarke has impressive kills, while both setters senior 5-star Michigan commit Camille Edwards and junior 4-star Kansas commit Taylor Cook dished with authority. Cathedral did a lineup change with Mae Kordas, who started the match in the middle and ended up finishing the match on the outside with some good swings. Show Stoppers Macaria Spears JR OH Prestonwood Christian: Spears, a 5-star recruit recently committed to Texas, is next-level talent everywhere. She hits at such a high contact with

Read More »

HS Player Spotlight: 19 Standout Juniors

October 4, 2023

With the Asics Challenge in Chicago and the Nike TOC Southwest in Phoenix, it was a busy end to the month of September. With the tournament season near its conclusion and certain states gearing up for sectionals and regionals on their way to the state playoffs, we were on the lookout for juniors having standout seasons. Below, we highlight 19 players from the Class of 2025 who are excelling for their respective schools. Charlotte Vinson OH Yorktown IN: Vinson – a 4-star Indiana commit – has been a wrecking ball on the outside. She entered the week with 596 kills, more than half her team’s total kills. She’s averaging 6.7 per set. She’s reached double-digit kills in all 26 matches so far. She has 15 outings of at least 20 kills or more, including five matches of at least 30 kills more. It included a season-best 39 winners in a five-set triumph over Noblesville in last September. Lauren Hurst OH Cleveland TN: Hurst is having a huge junior campaign for the Blue Raiders. She’s collected 602 kills to date, averaging 5.2 per set. She’s also third in blocks and aces. The 4-star recruit has put up 20 or more kills five times. She had a season-high 29 kills in a five-set loss to East Hamilton in mid-September. Suli Davis S/OH Colleyville Heritage TX: A 5-star recruit, Davis has been on fire this fall. Even with splitting time setting, Davis leads the teams in kills by a wide margin. Her 512 winners are nearly 300 more than the next closest player. Not only is she averaging 5.2 per set, she’s hitting a whopping .458 to boot. She’s also dished out 329 assists, averaging 5.8 per set. She’s third in blocks and second in aces as well. She posted a season-best 32 kills and hit .500 in a five-set victory against Byron Nelson in late August. Navea Gauthier OH Shelby MI: To say Gauthier is the go-to hitter for the Tigers in an understatement. The 5-star Ohio State commit has shouldered a very large percentage of the offense. She’s racked up 501 kills, averaging an impressive 8.5 per set. She’s also the ace leader and second in digs. She’s reached double-digit kills in all but one match. She dropped a season-high 33 kills and hit .500 in a sweep over Holton in late September. It was the second time she surpassed the 30-kill mark. Those are among the 13 times she has eclipsed 20 kills or more. Lily Dee Davis OH Westlake TX: A 4-star Texas beach commit, Davis has appeared in all but four sets to date. She’s leading the charge with 498 kills, averaging 4.9 per set. She’s also second in digs with 403 and leads in aces. She hammered down a season-best 35 kills in a five-set defeat to Dripping Springs in mid-September. Madison Quest OH Divine Savior Holy Angels: It’s been a tremendous year so far for nationally-ranked DSHA, which is 34-1. The only loss came to Mother McAuley in the semifinals of the Asics Challenge this past weekend. Quest – a 5-star Wisconsin commit – has put up 384 kills and is averaging 4.7 per set. She’s also second in both digs and blocks and third in aces. She recorded a season-high 20 kills in a four-set victory over Brookfield East earlier this week. She also had a match in which she had 15 kills and hit .882 last month. Asia Harvey OH Sandy Creek GA: Harvey – a 5-star recruit – is having a strong year for the Patriots. To date she leads the way with 360 kills and is hitting .348. She’s had her share of impressive performances. Among them is a season-high 19 kills and hitting .571 in a victory over Morgan County in mid-September. She also registered 17 kills and hit .800 in beating Westlake. Another included 9 kills and hitting 1.000 in sweeping Wesleyan. Kassidy O’Brien S Cinco Ranch TX: A 5-star Kentucky commit, O’Brien has starred as expected. She started the week with 919 assists, averaging 10.7 per set. She’s had a handful of monster performances. Among them are a pair of matches when she posted a season-high 51 assists. She’s also had contests of 49 and 41 assists. All four efforts led to victories. She’s also third in digs, averaging 3.1 per set. Abigail Li S Alpharetta GA: With Li guiding the attack, the Raiders are having a great year so far with a 32-2 mark. The 4-star SMU commit has dished out 843 assists, averaging 10.2 per set. She’s reached double-digit assists in every match so. Twice she’s put up a season-high 51 assists and another time 42. All were victories. Isabela Haggard S Dunbar KY: A 3-star Indiana commit, Haggard has been a vital part of Dunbar’s success. She’s totaled 745 assists and is averaging 8.8 per set so far. She’s also second in kills with 192, averaging 2.3 per set. She’s surpassed 30 or more assists 11 times, including twice reaching 40 or more. She had a season-high 43 assists in a four-set victory over Oldham in August. Maya Baker S Archbishop Mitty CA: Baker – a 4-star Notre Dame commit – has helped the nationally-ranked Monarchs to an 18-4 record at week’s start. She’s recorded 645 assists, averaging 10.8 per set. She’s reached double-digit assists in all but one contest, when she appeared in just one set that outing. She’s had at least 20 or more assists in all but for matches. She registered a season-high 54 assists in a five-set victory over St. Ignatius in August. Reese Messer S St. James Academy KS: Messer and the nationally-ranked Thunder are 29-3. The 5-star USC commit Is having a stellar season. She’s delivered 616 assists, averaging 9.9 per set, and has played in every set to date. She’s reached double-digit assists in every match. It included a season-best 40 assists in a three-set victory over Washburn Rural last week. Jordan Taylor MB Langham Creek TX: A

Read More »

vballrecruiter.com’s Player of the Week: Vivian Hickman (FREE)

October 3, 2023

We’re proud to be a part of an ongoing partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods, which is sponsoring our Player of the Week award. We’ll be releasing a featured vballrecruiter.com Player of the Week, sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, on Tuesdays. Below is this week’s Player of the Week: Vivian Hickman. *** Having played volleyball since she started in second grade and club since she was 10, our latest Player of the Week not only has her share of experience but she’s developed into a versatile player who excels both indoor and on the sand. Vivian Hickman – a 5-10, 3-star recruit from the Class of 2026 – is currently in her sophomore season at Xavier College Prep in Arizona. What she brings to a roster has been on full display these past two weekends as the Gators have competed in two prestigious national tournaments in the Durango Fall Classic and Nike TOC Southwest. She’s spent most of the season setting and hitting like she did in Las Vegas, where Xavier Prep finished in 11th place overall out of 64 teams. However, with a short-handed roster in Phoenix, Hickman was asked to perform as a six-rotation outside and helped her team take fifth place out of 32 teams. “We faced a lot of challenges and we got better,” Hickman said after Durango. “That tournament really continued preparing us for what’s ahead.” This past summer, Hickman was part of an AZ Sky 15G group which finished tied for 13th in 15 Open at the USAV Girls Junior National Championships in Chicago. There, she split time between running a 5-1 and setting and hitting as part of a 6-2. Hickman originally started volleyball as an outside before being moved to middle blocker. Then during her 12s season she was moved to setter and that led her to eventually setting and swinging. “I really do like setting,” she said. “That’s probably my favorite. But hitting does give me the chance to swing.” Hitting was her full-time responsibility last year as a freshman on varsity. She led Xavier Prep in kills 246, averaging 2.6 per set. She played in all but four sets in her rookie campaign. As a sophomore she’s taken on a dual role. Playing in all but one set so far this season, Hickman leads the Gators in assists 193. She’s also second in both kills (151) and digs (194). “It’s really fun,” she said of the season so far. “Everyone is so close on the team. We have such great chemistry and trust on the court. We all hang out all the time.” Beyond indoor, Hickman has enjoyed success in beach as well. She’s been playing that side of the sport for about four years. She said she really got into it when everything was shut down because of Covid. She played last season as part of Xavier’s beach team and was named Section Offensive Player of the Year by AZPreps365. She’s still not sure whether she’ll play both at the next level or not. “I’m definitely deciding on that,” she said. “They go hand-and-hand. Beach does compliment playing indoor. I’m liking both. I really do like indoor. It has to be the right opportunity to do both.” Outside of volleyball, Hickman enjoys baking and reading, as well as spending time with her family and friends. She’s in her first year of being part of the AIA Student Leadership Advisory Committee (SLAC). “I really like to be involved in a good way,” Hickman said. She also added that “when I get older I want to go into medicine or be a psychologist. I like to see how people’s brains work and the decisions they make. I would like to help people or even potentially go pro.” As our featured Player of the Week sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, we recently spoke with Hickman about volleyball and more. Who is a role model or someone you look up to? Hickman: I think it’s Serena Williams. I love her passion and grit on the court and how she is so involved in her sport. I just recently started looking into her. She’s really cool and I really like what she’s about. I saw the movie about the sisters and I thought it was really interesting. What is your favorite food? Hickman: I really like enchiladas. Chipotle is my favorite restaurant. My go-to order is a burrito with white rice, pinto beans, chicken and queso. Other than volleyball, what skill would you most like to learn and why? Hickman: I would really like to learn photography and how to take high-quality photos. Taking pictures like that would be really fun to learn. If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be and why? Hickman: I would choose to skydive because that seems like it would be so much fun. I would be so scared but I would love the thrill of it. Aside from necessities, what is one thing you could not go a day without? Hickman: It would probably be Capri Sun. I drink so many of those. I love them. I put them in the freezer and drink them like slushies. I like Pacific Cooler. It’s really good. What is one thing that instantly makes your day better or makes you smile? Hickman: My family and friends. When I see them we start cracking jokes and they make me laugh. If you could have any superpower what would it be and why? Hickman: I would want to have the ability to teleport. I get anxious about time. I don’t like to be late to anything. That would be such a helper and it would save me so much stress. Outside of volleyball what are you most passionate about and why? Hickman: I’m really passionate about my school and grades. I’m also passionate about my family and friend bonds because those are really important too. What is one thing that may surprise people about you? Hickman: Something

Read More »

vballrecruiter.com’s Top 50 National HS Rankings (Oct. 2)

October 2, 2023

We are entering the last month of the season for some states. Meanwhile, others are barely past their halfway points. As states conclude their seasons, that will start to finalize certain school’s spots in the national rankings. However, nothing is solidified yet. As for this week’s updated rankings, there was very little movement at the top a week after we saw Mater Dei CA take over the top spot in the country. While the Monarchs retained their place atop the Top 50, we did see a few of last week’s undefeated teams fall. We entered last week with 11 teams in the Top 50 still unbeaten, but Divine Savior Holy Angels WI, Blue Valley North KS, Seton OH and Angola IN all suffered their first loss of the year. That leaves the undefeated list at seven in Papillion-La Vista South NE, Hamilton Southeastern IN, Wayzata MN, Skyridge UT, Lake Catholic OH, Valor Christian CO and Lewis-Palmer CO. You can view the full rankings below. vballrecruiter.com’S TOP 50 NATIONAL HS RANKINGS 1. Mater Dei CA (1 – previous ranking) 2. Mira Costa CA (2) 3. Papillion-La Vista South NE (3) 4. Cathedral Catholic CA (4) 5. Prestonwood Christian TX (5) 6. Grand Oaks TX (7) 7. Hamilton Southeastern IN (10) 8. Wayzata MN (14) 9. Boyd TX (17) 10. Benet Academy IL (18) *** 11. Skyridge UT (23) 12. Mother McAuley IL (26) 13. Divine Savior Holy Angels WI (11) 14. Assumption KY (8) 15. St. Francis/Mountain View CA (21) 16. Marist IL (22) 17. Notre Dame Academy KY (12) 18. Cornerstone Christian TX (6) 19. Dripping Springs TX (24) 20. Sierra Canyon CA (9) *** 21. Carrollwood Day FL (25) 22. O’Connor AZ (36) 23. Blue Valley North KS (12) 24. Archbishop Mitty CA (20) 25. Branson CA (27) 26. Oconomowoc WI (29) 27. Calvary Christian FL (33) 28. Lake Catholic OH (34) 29. Kings OH (n/r) 30. Valor Christian CO (43) *** 31. Xavier Prep AZ (19) 32. St. James Academy KS (45) 33. St. Thomas Aquinas KS (46) 34. Lafayette MO (47) 35. Viera FL (30) 36. Punahou HI (32) 37. Winter Park FL (35) 38. Lone Peak UT (38) 39. Seton OH (15) 40. North Branch MI (n/r) *** 41. Huntington Beach CA (37) 42. Bishop Alemany CA (40) 43. Lewis-Palmer CO (50) 44. Los Alamitos CA (48) 45. Angola IN (16) 46. Maize South KS (28) 47. Torrey Pines CA (42) 48. Berkeley Prep FL (39) 49. Northville MI (49) 50. Mercy McAuley OH (41) *** ON THE CUSPBellmont INSacred Heart Academy KYBingham UTRedondo Union CACorona del Sol AZMillennium AZPace Academy GA (50)Marymount CABishop Gorman NVKamehameha HINotre Dame Prep AZDorman SCNorth Myrtle Beach SCNixa MOPope GAAlpharetta GABob Jones ALHudsonville MIByron Nelson TXSt. Ursula Academy OHMount Notre Dame OHLiberty North MOCorner Canyon UTPleasant Grove UTFlint Hill VAPlant FLHagerty FLVenice FLWestminster Christian FLColleyville Heritage TXCypress Ranch TXHarlan TXRoncalli INYorktown INWashburn Rural KSProsper TXGlenbard West ILBrighton ILQueen Creek AZJenks OKMount St. Mary OKMiddle Creek NCLake Highland Prep FL

Read More »

Asics Challenge: The All Red Hat Team

October 2, 2023

It was a fun two days in Chicago this past weekend watching so many of the top Midwest teams square off against each other at the Asics Challenge hosted by Mother McAuley! We wrote about the Day 1 Show Stoppers and Day 2 Show Stoppers already and now present the Asics Challenge Red Hat Team. Congrats to Mother McAuley for winning the 2023 title and congrats to all the athletes who balled out this weekend! OUTSIDES Ellie White SR Mother McAuley IL Sydney Buchanan JR Mother McAuley IL Bella Bullington JR Marist IL Madison Quest JR DSHA WI Sophia Wendlick SR DSHA WI Lauren Salata SR Nazareth Academy IL Addison West SO Skutt Catholic NE Abbie Hagehorn SO Skutt Catholic NE Morgan Jones SR Huntley IL Charlotte Moriarty SR Assumption KY Chloe Smith SR Assumption KY Ana Vetter SR New Trier IL Ava Tilden JR Notre Dame Academy KY Aubree Deshetsky SO North Branch MI Whitney Mall JR Barrington IL Kelley Crowley SO Downers Grove North IL Brooklynne Brass SO Minooka IL Eva Finnessy JR Hamilton WI *** MIDDLE BLOCKERS Ellery Rees SR Mother McAuley IL Keira Ohse SR Mother McAuley IL Maddie Brown SO DSHA WI Bailey Blair JR Assumption KY Audrey Dyas SO Notre Dame Academy KY Elise Sterling SR Sandburg IL Berkeley Ploder SR Barrington IL Cassidy Cage SO Marist IL *** RIGHT SIDES Georgia Watson JR Huntley IL Riley McCloseky JR Notre Dame Academy KY Jessica Kurpeikis SR Marist IL Emma Barnett JR Assumption KY Eleanor Dorritie SR Penfield NY Mary Claire Deacy JR Mother McAuley IL *** SETTERS Jenna Meitzler SR Barrington IL Gwen Adler SR Barrington IL Peyton Heatherly S Mother McAuley IL Addy Horner JR St. Francis/Wheaton IL Brooke Baldwin SO Hamilton WI Jordan Czajkowski JR DSHA WI Maddie Berry JR Marist IL Sarah Musial SR St. Charles East IL Emilee Fuller JR Assumption KY Adrienne Greschaw SR North Branch MI Jessica Horn SR Joliet Catholic IL *** LIBEROS Julia Grace JR Notre Dame Academy KY Samantha Falk SR Mother McAuley IL Paisley Douglas SR Skutt Catholic NE Olivia Durst JR DSHA WI Kristen Simon JR Assumption KY Reilly Chausse SR Sandburg IL Elayna Davidson SO Marist IL Emily Zgonc SO Hamilton WI

Read More »

Nike TOC Southwest: The All Red Hat Team

October 2, 2023

The Nike TOC Southwest tournament over the weekend in the greater Phoenix area produced a wild ride throughout the two days of competition. It all ended with St. Francis/Mountain View CA topping Cornerstone Christian TX in the final. You can read more about the championship here. We also released our Day 2 Show Stoppers. We wrap up our coverage with our All Red Hat Team. It’s different from the All-Tournament announced by the tournament directors and features our favorite players from two days of play in the National division. ALL RED HAT TEAM OUTSIDESVictoria Marthaler SR La Cueva NMMegan Fitch JR Cornerstone Christian TXAniya Hall JR Cornerstone Christian TXEmily Pruitt SR Sunrise Mountain AZAddison Wiemann SO Sunrise Mountain AZJulie Beckham SO Coronado NVGentry Oblad SO Coronado NVVivian Hickman SO Xavier Prep AZMadisyn Crnjac SO Queen Creek AZTaylor Williams OH St. Francis/Mountain View CAErin Curtis OH St. Francis/Mountain View CALauren Forelli FR Liberty AZMia Radeff SR Sacred Heart Prep CAGeorgi Stein JR Sunnyslope AZZoe Haan JR Sunnyslope AZTeraya Sigler JR Horizon AZDionna Mitchell SR Timber Creek FLEvan Hendrix SR Notre Dame Prep AZReese Shugart SO Dorman SCKate Martin SR Marymount CA MIDDLESSophie Diouf JR La Cueva NMDyBorrah Johnson JR Casteel AZElla Fulton SO St. Francis/Mountain View CAKendall Omoruyi FR Sunnyslope AZJordyn Joppru SO Pinnacle AZElle Vandeweghe SO Marymount CAMadeline Way SR Sierra Canyon CA RIGHT SIDESTea Kalajdzic SR La Cueva NMGrace Carroll SR Cornerstone Christian TXBlaykli Bobik SR Queen Creek AZKamille Scott SO Casteel AZNatalie Harris JR Lake Highland Prep FL SETTERSHannah Maguire SR St. Francis/Mountain View CAIsabelle Marco SR Sacred Heart Prep CATristen Raymond JR Liberty AZKK Green JR Lake Highland Prep FLKaelyn Putz SR Xavier Prep AZKaeley Walz SR Sacred Heart Academy KYHailee Peters SR Liberty AZSade Illawole SR Sierra Canyon CA LIBEROSMarianne Garcia SO Millennium AZHannah Allman SR Sunrise Mountain AZIzzy Mahaffey JR Queen Creek AZWhitney Wallace SR St. Francis/Mountain View CANola Smith JR Hamilton AZErin Clark SO Corona del Sol AZAva Lambert JR Horizon AZ

Read More »

Nike TOC Southwest: Day 2 Show Stoppers

October 1, 2023

With teams converging from all around the country, it was Nor Cal’s St. Francis/Mountain View topping them all after getting past Cornerstone Christian TX in the championship match of the Nike TOC Southwest tournament Saturday in the greater Phoenix area. It was a day filled with both tremendous team and individual efforts. We highlight those who stood out the most to us below with our Day 2 Show Stoppers. DAY 2 SHOW STOPPERS Elina Wheeler SR L Sacred Heart Prep CA: The Gators were among the surprise teams by reaching the quarterfinals after upsetting Sierra Canyon CA. Wheeler was part of the run, supplying support in the back row and helping set the defensive tone. Isabelle Marco SR S/RS Sacred Heart Prep CA: Marco – a 3-star Utah commit – is the glue piece and does a lot to contribute toward her team’s success. She’s a consistent setter who locates well. She’s also a smart hitter who can frustrate defenses with her various shots. Marianne Garcia SO L Millennium AZ: Garcia is a scrappy defender who moves and covers well. She doesn’t flinch against big hitters and does well extending rallies. Victoria Marthaler SR OH La Cueva NM: A 3-star recruit, Marthaler is the go-to on the left and provides lots of offense. She’s a heady attacker who can take big swings or let up and score with off speed shots. Sophie Diouf JR MB La Cueva NM: Diouf – another 3-star recruit – provides a boost offensively across the front row. She has a solid arm and does well making herself available. Tea Kalajdzic SR RS La Cueva NM: Kalajdzic helps open the attack with the scoring punch she provides on the right side. Megan Fitch JR OH Cornerstone Christian TX: Fitch – a 5-star Texas AM commit – keeps coming at defenses and never backs down. She’s an aggressive, physical attacker who can torch defenses whether she’s front or back row. Grace Carroll SR RS Cornerstone Christian TX: A 4-star Baylor commit, Carroll is an imposing presence on the right side with her ability to impact rallies with her blocking and scoring. She can stuff balls straight down and she’s also a terminal attacker with a booming arm. Aniya Hall JR OH Cornerstone Christian TX: Hall – a 3-star recruit – jumps well and is another player the Warriors rely on to provide offense. She takes big swings and can deliver highlight kills at times. Elly Stewart JR MB Cornerstone Christian TX: Stewart filled her role well. She was coming up with timely plays with both her blocking and hitting. *** DyBorrah Johnson JR MB Casteel AZ: Johnson is a high-flying middle who can deliver wow moments. She gets up quickly and can pound balls straight down in impressive fashion. Hannah Allman SR L Sunrise Mountain AZ: Sunrise had a great run to the semifinals, in part because of the defensive energy Allman brings to the lineup. She flies around the court and has a never-give-up attitude. Addison Wiemann SO OH Sunrise Mountain AZ: Wiemann is part of a solid 1-2 punch on the outside. She brings size to the front row and helping boost the attack. Emily Pruitt SR OH Sunrise Mountain AZ: Pruitt is a six-rotation mainstay who provides both plenty of offense and a steadying presence. She has a strong arm and can unload when the moment is right. Julie Beckham SO OH Coronado NV: Beckham is a fun outside to watch. She is fearless against bigger blocks and takes aggressive cuts. Gentry Oblad SO OH Coronado NV: Oblad is another outside who is tough to deal with. She jumps well, has a nice arm and hits with plenty of pace. Annemarie O’Gara JR RS Xavier Prep AZ: O’Gara showed a knack for making timely plays on the right side. She came up with key blocks and clutch kills to help the Gators to a fifth-place finish. Vivian Hickman SO OH Xavier Prep AZ: Hickman continued her role as six-rotation outside as Xavier was playing short-handed. She was leaned on to carry the offensive load. She’s a cagey attacker who showed her beach skills with a wide variety of shots. Chineze Gray JR MB Xavier Prep AZ: Gray is an undersized middle and brings a lot of pep to the front row. She’s quick and moves well and was also making plays at the right times. Izzy Mahaffey JR L Queen Creek AZ: Mahaffey – a 4-star Long Beach State commit – was holding it down in the back row. She was passing consistently out of serve receive and making hustle plays to keep rallies going. *** Madisyn Crnjac SO OH Queen Creek AZ: Crnjac – a 3-star recruit – doesn’t shy away from taking big swings. She keeps coming at defenses with her strong arm that can produce powerful kills. Blaykli Bobik SR RS Queen Creek AZ: A 4-star BYU commit, Bobik played on the outside last week at Durango but was on the right side on Day 2. She has a lively arm and when she gets up and connect, watch out because the ball is coming in hot. Taylor Williams SR OH St. Francis/Mountain View CA: Williams – a 4-star Duke commit – comes with it time and time again. She helped fueled the Lancers’ attack with ability to blast balls from the front and back row with ease. Whitney Wallace SR L St. Francis/Mountain View CA: A 3-star Oklahoma commit, was among the standout defenders. She’s calm and plays under control and doesn’t rattle in pressure situations. Erin Curtis SR OH St. Francis/Mountain View CA: Curtis is another mainstay in the lineup as a six-rotation outside. She’s a consistent passer out of serve receive and she too can score all the way around. Hannah Maguire SR S St. Francis/Mountain View CA: Maguire does a nice job running the offense and delivering to her various hitters. She also brings her share of energy to the court. Ella Fulton SO MB St.

Read More »

Asics Challenge: Day 2 Show Stoppers and More

October 1, 2023

Mother McAuley IL defended its home court at the 2023 Asics Challenge and was crowned CHAMPIONS after taking down Notre Dame Academy KY in the final! The second day of the tournament hosted by the Macs showcased an electric display of talent and tenacity on the volleyball court. From the very start, it was apparent that this would be a day with tons of incredible plays and exceptional effort. The stage was set for an exhilarating clash of skills, as the athletes on the floor left no room for disappointment. The adrenaline was palpable as the gold bracket kicked off with a thrilling showdown between Mother McAuley and Marist IL. The history between these two teams added an extra layer of intensity to the competition, with Marist having recently claimed victory over Mother McAuley the week prior. Nestled just blocks away from each other, the fierce rivalry was on full display, with club teammates now transformed into fierce opponents. This time it was Mother McAuley who emerged with the win over Marist in three exhilarating sets (25-27, 25-2, 25-14). And on a side note the pins on both sides of the net were bringing the heat every single point, which made the liberos and defensive specialists have to ball out the entire match. The gold bracket semifinals match up between Notre Dame Academy and Assumption KY also was electric. These teams — having faced each other already this season when Assumption outlasted Notre Dame to claim the LIVT title — showcased a lot of fire at the net and defensively in the back court. Notre Dame emerged triumphant, securing a gripping victory over Assumption in three (24-26, 25-15, 29-27). And like the Mother McAuley/Marist match above it was full of aggressive swings and scrappy defensive plays. In the finals Mother McAuley squared off against Notre Dame Academy, which was a repeat from the 2022 finals match. Mother McAuley ended up winning in two 25-20, 25-17. Asics Challenge All Tournament Team (named by tourney officials)   DAY 2 SHOW STOPPERS Bella Bullington JR OH Marist IL: Bullington, a 4-star recruit committed to Northwestern, has a hammer for an arm. Not only can she swing anywhere on the court, but she gets great air which makes her a very lethal attacker. Maddie Berry JR S Marist IL: At first glance Berry isn’t your typical 5-1 setter, BUT let me tell you, she holds her own there in the front row. She also dishes well to her hitters everywhere on the court. Jessica Kurpeikis SR RS Marist IL: Kurpeikis, a Wisconsin Green Bay commit, is a lefty who Marist uses a ton of in the front row. She has a no fear attitude when swinging and loves to tool the block. Elayna Davidson SO L Marist IL: Davidson was smooth out of serve receive. She is incredibly nimble on her feet and can run balls down anywhere she needs to. Morgan Jones SR OH Huntley IL: Jones, a 3-star recruit committed to Missouri, can get up quickly and can generate pace on her attacks. Georgia Watson JR MB Huntley IL: Watson, a 4-star recruit committed to Kentucky, is a six-rotation right side. She is not only a wall at the net but swings well anywhere they need her to. Samantha Falk SR L Mother McAuley IL: Falk, a 3-star recruit committed to Loyola Chicago, was showcasing her skills by making some big-time digs on the court time after time. Olivia Urbon SR DS Mother McAuley IL: Urbon is the queen of aces. Her serving is a key component for her squad. And defensively she is sound in the back court. Ellery Rees SR MB Mother McAuley IL: Rees, a 3-star recruit committed to Alabama, made up one half of the defensive wall for her squad. She’s a physical middle who hits with power and puts up a strong block. Mary Claire Deacy JR RS Mother McAuley IL: Deacy another other part of that wall for her squad. She was huge defensively at the net. *** Gwen Adler SR S Barrington IL: Adler, a Seton Hall commit, is a smooth disher and runs a nice offense. She has soft hands, locates well and doesn’t give her sets away. Whitney Mall JR OH Barrington IL: Mall has potential written all over her. She seems even longer than her height of 6-2 and carries a smooth yet powerful arm. Berkeley Ploder SR MB Barrington IL: Ploder, who is committed to Georgetown, has a huge upside. She puts up a solid block as well as presenting a great scoring option. Jenna Meitzler SR S Barrington IL: Meitzler, a 3-star recruit committed to Iowa, is a fluid and reliable setter with strong hands. She also can get up and hit with authority on the right side. Molly Fox SR MB Sandburg IL: Fox might not be as tall as the other middle blockers but she literally has a knack for blocking. She has an incredible read on the ball defensively. Elise Sterling SR MB Sandburg IL: Sterling adds physicality to her squad. She’s strong and has a powerful arm when swinging quicks or the slide. Aubree Deshetsky SO OH North Branch MI: Deshetsky, a 3-star recruit, can pack a punch anywhere on the court. She has a smooth swing and generates pace consistently. Alana Deshetsky SR OH North Branch MI: Deshetsky, a Ferris State commit, is a steadying six-rotation player who does just about everything for her squad. She is also a smart hitter who finds a way to get the point. Adrienne Greschaw SR S North Branch MI: Greschaw directs the offense well. She sets a great ball with very consistent location Eva Finnessy JR OH Hamilton WI: Finnessy has a heavy hand and takes aggressive swings and goes right at and/or through the blockers. *** Brooke Aslakson JR MB Hamilton WI: Aslakson has lots of upside to her. She sees the court well. She has a strong feel for blocking and gets in the way

Read More »

Nike TOC Southwest: Championship Rundown

October 1, 2023

With two of the top-four seeds lining up from each other in the championship match, much of the chaos that had ruled the Nike TOC Southwest tournament had settled. All that was left to determine was this year’s champion. Second-seeded Cornerstone Christian TX was looking to not only capture both Nike TOC events in 2023, but was also seeking to defend its tournament title here from a season ago. However, St. Francis/Mountain View CA wasn’t ready to play its part. Instead, the fourth-seeded Lancers were spoilers in defeating Cornerstone in three, 25-19, 22-25, 15-6, as they gear up for another state final run. After suffering its only loss last year to Cathedral Catholic CA in the CIF Open Division state final, St. Francis beefed up its schedule this fall by adding the Durango Fall Classic and Nike TOC Southwest tourneys to its slate. A week after finishing in 13th place in Las Vegas, the Lancers had to put in a lot of work Saturday to rise to the top of the 32-team National division field. All four outings went the distance, starting with its closest decision of the day in beating Beckman CA, 20-25, 25-18, 15-11, in qualifying pla. St. Francis was dominant in the decisive set the rest of the way. The Lancers beat Millennium AZ in the quarterfinals, 25-15, 24-26, 15-7, and then Liberty AZ in the semis, 11-25, 25-19, 15-4, before doing the same to Cornerstone – which took sixth at Durango last weekend – in the final there. An anticipated rubber match between Cornerstone and top-seeded Sierra Canyon CA didn’t materialize. Cornerstone beat Sierra Canyon back in August during pool play at the Ann Kang Invitational. The sides ran into each other last weekend in Vegas, with Sierra Canyon sweeping Cornerstone in the quarterfinals and spoiling any chance of a rematch between Mira Costa CA – which beat Cornerstone in the Ann Kang final – and Cornerstone in the final. There was no trilogy, however, as Sierra Canyon – playing without 4-star San Diego libero commit Lauren Lynch – was upset in the morning qualifying round by Sacred Heart Prep CA, 25-18, 25-20. It continued a trend of top seeds bowing out early, as No. 5 Sacred Heart Academy KY, No. 6 Corona del Sol and No. 7 Lake Highland Prep failed to advance on Day 1. It opened the door for others to make noise. One was Sunrise Mountain AZ. The Mustangs went 3-0 on Day 1 – including beating Corona del Sol – and then eliminated third-seeded Xavier Prep AZ in the quarterfinals. Xavier – a week after taking 11th at Durango – caught a tough break as freshman outside Tessa Larkin wasn’t available for this weekend’s tournament. As for Sunrise, the Mustangs’ hopes of a Cinderella run ended to Cornerstone in the semis, 25-14, 25-13. Joining Sunrise Mountain in making waves was Liberty AZ. The Lions lost their season-opener to Xavier Prep before going on a seven-match winning streak. But it was a tough week heading into the Nike TOC as Liberty dropped matches to Sunnyslope, Corona del Sol and O’Connor before coming alive over the weekend. It started with Liberty – which opened as the No. 9 seed – taking down No. 8 Marymount CA in three sets to win its pool Friday. Liberty then kept it going by beating Notre Dame Prep AZ in qualifying play Saturday morning before beating Sacred Heart Prep in the quarterfinals. St. Francis proved too much in the semifinals. Sunrise Mountain beat Liberty in one game to 25 for third place. Xavier Prep swept Millennium to end up in fifth. Sacred Heart Prep downed Queen Creek AZ to wind up in seventh place. Meanwhile, Marymount finished up in ninth place after Sierra Canyon forfeited that match. The two schools are in the same league and play each other this coming week, so it’s not surprising they wouldn’t play to close Saturday’s action. Marymount had a shot at the platinum bracket but was stunned when Queen Creek AZ produced a giant rally in qualifying play. Marymount took the opening set and was leading 20-13 in Game 2 before the Bulldogs turned it around and prevailed in three, 24-26, 25-23, 15-13. In the Premier division, it was Canyon View AZ beating Verrado AZ, 14-25, 25-19, 15-10, for the title. In the Elite division, Christian CA swept Seton Catholic AZ, 25-19, 25-16, in the final.

Read More »

ESPN Showcase: Prestonwood, St. James Shine

October 7, 2023

The ESPN Volleyball Showcase brought together four of the top volleyball high school squads in the nation. First up was St. James Academy from Kansas who took on Cornerstone Christian out of San Antonio. And that’s not all—following that match was Cathedral Catholic, hailing out of San Diego, California, who went head-to-head with the host school, Prestonwood Christian in Plano, Texas. Friday’s showdowns in the Lone Star state had an unforgettable display of skill, athleticism and pure excitement. AND we hope you witnessed it on ESPN+ and ESPNU! *** Match one: St. James Academy d Cornerstone Christian (25-22, 20-25, 25-23, 25-13) ​​In Game 1 of the match between St. James Academy and Cornerstone Christian it was clear from the get-go that St. James meant business. Junior Reese Messer took charge with her impeccable finesse, cleverly orchestrating offensive plays to open up her teammates for some explosive kills. However, Cornerstone refused to back down, responding with big swings from Megan Fitch, Grace Carroll and Aniya Hall. St. James, undeterred, unleashed its own firepower, with Leah Robinson launching continuously powerful hits that left the opposition scrambling to defend. Meanwhile, Mya Bolton showcased exceptional defensive prowess, defying gravity with breathtaking digs. In Game 2, Fitch came out swinging. For Cornerstone the senior trio of libero Maria Avendano and defensive specialists Giselle Ojeda and Grace Alvarez came in clutch in serve receive and defensively. Middle blocker Olivia Parker and right side Amaya Tolentino also provided great defense at the net. In Game 4, it literally became the Messer show. She did it all. From attacking to defense to dishing she was on fire in all areas which helped her squad really dominate. Show Stoppers Reese Messer JR S St. James Academy KS: Messer, a 5-star recruit committed to USC, was a game changer. She can literally do it all. From dishing butter sets to shutting down the opposition defensively to splitting the opposition with ease Messer owned the court. Leah Robinson SO OH/RS St. James Academy KS: Robinson, a 3-star recruit, was a key component to her squad. She is a six rotation right side who stays on both pins in the front row. Messer also dished a ton of balls to her in the back row in which she cracked on the ball consistently. Julia Headley SR MB St. James Academy: Headley, a Colgate commit, was a wall at the net. She also had some great swings in the middle throughout the match. Mya Bolton SR L St. James Academy KS: Bolton, a 3-star recruit committed to Michigan State, was a defensive gem in the backcourt. She reads the offensive attack well. Heidi Devers SR DS St. James Academy: Dever, a 4-star recruit committed to Kansas, was part of a two part DS tandem that provided great serve reception. Devers also is a scrappy defensive athlete who gets a ton of touches. Katelynn Blaesing SR DS St. James Academy KS: Blaesing, a Creighton commit, was the other part of a great defensive specialist squad that bolstered the back row both in serve receive and defensively. And like Devers, she was able to get some amazing touches defensively. Ava Spachek SR OH St. James Academy KS: Spachek, a 3-star recruit, was another huge contributor offensively for SJA. She packed a punch on the pins consistently. Megan Fitch JR OH Cornerstone Christian: Fitch, a 5-star recruit committed to Texas A&M, is a high-flying scoring machine anywhere on the court. She has a high volleyball IQ which also helps her score at will. PS she is always a ton of fun to watch in all aspects of the game. Grace Carroll SR RS Cornerstone Christian: Carroll, a 4-star recruit committed to Baylor, is a wall on the pin. And when she connects with the ball she literally hits over the block on the reg. Maria Avendano SR L Cornerstone Christian: Avendano, a Texas A&M-Corpus Christi commit, was a silent leader on the court who passed nails and provided her squad great defensive tenacity. *** Match two: Prestonwood Christian d Cathedral Catholic (25-23, 25-21, 25-16) Cathedral Catholic came out on fire. The Dons were led by senior 4-star Michigan commit Jenna Hanes in the middle who was hitting over the block and through the block at will. Also senior right side Tiana Owens was firing through the block at will for Cathedral Catholic. Prestonwood fired back with its arsenal of power led by recent Texas commit and 5-star junior Macaria Spears. And let’s not forget to mention senior 5-star USC commit Jadyn Livings and senior 4-star TCU commit Mikala Young provided big-time kills too. Game 2, like the opening set, had Cathedral neck-and-neck with Prestonwood thanks to amazing defense from junior libero and 4-star Maryland commit Maya Evens and the freshman on the squad setter Kale’a Lee and outside hitter Jojo Wilson owning the court. And outside hitter 3-star Hawaii beach commit Ayva Moi also provided big-time swings on the pins. But Prestonwood would not be silenced. Middle blockers senior 4-star San Diego commit Kennedy Washington and freshman 5-star recruit Nyla Livings came through with huge blocks. Also junior libero and 5-star Houston commit Gillian Pitts provided so much stability in the back court. She was nails in passing and was great defensively consistently. And side note, can we just say it was fun to see a few sister sister blocks by Jadyn and Nyla Livings in this game. In the final set Prestonwood took no prisoners and came out swinging. Junior right side 4-star recruit Taylor Clarke has impressive kills, while both setters senior 5-star Michigan commit Camille Edwards and junior 4-star Kansas commit Taylor Cook dished with authority. Cathedral did a lineup change with Mae Kordas, who started the match in the middle and ended up finishing the match on the outside with some good swings. Show Stoppers Macaria Spears JR OH Prestonwood Christian: Spears, a 5-star recruit recently committed to Texas, is next-level talent everywhere. She hits at such a high contact with

Read More »

HS Player Spotlight: 19 Standout Juniors

October 4, 2023

With the Asics Challenge in Chicago and the Nike TOC Southwest in Phoenix, it was a busy end to the month of September. With the tournament season near its conclusion and certain states gearing up for sectionals and regionals on their way to the state playoffs, we were on the lookout for juniors having standout seasons. Below, we highlight 19 players from the Class of 2025 who are excelling for their respective schools. Charlotte Vinson OH Yorktown IN: Vinson – a 4-star Indiana commit – has been a wrecking ball on the outside. She entered the week with 596 kills, more than half her team’s total kills. She’s averaging 6.7 per set. She’s reached double-digit kills in all 26 matches so far. She has 15 outings of at least 20 kills or more, including five matches of at least 30 kills more. It included a season-best 39 winners in a five-set triumph over Noblesville in last September. Lauren Hurst OH Cleveland TN: Hurst is having a huge junior campaign for the Blue Raiders. She’s collected 602 kills to date, averaging 5.2 per set. She’s also third in blocks and aces. The 4-star recruit has put up 20 or more kills five times. She had a season-high 29 kills in a five-set loss to East Hamilton in mid-September. Suli Davis S/OH Colleyville Heritage TX: A 5-star recruit, Davis has been on fire this fall. Even with splitting time setting, Davis leads the teams in kills by a wide margin. Her 512 winners are nearly 300 more than the next closest player. Not only is she averaging 5.2 per set, she’s hitting a whopping .458 to boot. She’s also dished out 329 assists, averaging 5.8 per set. She’s third in blocks and second in aces as well. She posted a season-best 32 kills and hit .500 in a five-set victory against Byron Nelson in late August. Navea Gauthier OH Shelby MI: To say Gauthier is the go-to hitter for the Tigers in an understatement. The 5-star Ohio State commit has shouldered a very large percentage of the offense. She’s racked up 501 kills, averaging an impressive 8.5 per set. She’s also the ace leader and second in digs. She’s reached double-digit kills in all but one match. She dropped a season-high 33 kills and hit .500 in a sweep over Holton in late September. It was the second time she surpassed the 30-kill mark. Those are among the 13 times she has eclipsed 20 kills or more. Lily Dee Davis OH Westlake TX: A 4-star Texas beach commit, Davis has appeared in all but four sets to date. She’s leading the charge with 498 kills, averaging 4.9 per set. She’s also second in digs with 403 and leads in aces. She hammered down a season-best 35 kills in a five-set defeat to Dripping Springs in mid-September. Madison Quest OH Divine Savior Holy Angels: It’s been a tremendous year so far for nationally-ranked DSHA, which is 34-1. The only loss came to Mother McAuley in the semifinals of the Asics Challenge this past weekend. Quest – a 5-star Wisconsin commit – has put up 384 kills and is averaging 4.7 per set. She’s also second in both digs and blocks and third in aces. She recorded a season-high 20 kills in a four-set victory over Brookfield East earlier this week. She also had a match in which she had 15 kills and hit .882 last month. Asia Harvey OH Sandy Creek GA: Harvey – a 5-star recruit – is having a strong year for the Patriots. To date she leads the way with 360 kills and is hitting .348. She’s had her share of impressive performances. Among them is a season-high 19 kills and hitting .571 in a victory over Morgan County in mid-September. She also registered 17 kills and hit .800 in beating Westlake. Another included 9 kills and hitting 1.000 in sweeping Wesleyan. Kassidy O’Brien S Cinco Ranch TX: A 5-star Kentucky commit, O’Brien has starred as expected. She started the week with 919 assists, averaging 10.7 per set. She’s had a handful of monster performances. Among them are a pair of matches when she posted a season-high 51 assists. She’s also had contests of 49 and 41 assists. All four efforts led to victories. She’s also third in digs, averaging 3.1 per set. Abigail Li S Alpharetta GA: With Li guiding the attack, the Raiders are having a great year so far with a 32-2 mark. The 4-star SMU commit has dished out 843 assists, averaging 10.2 per set. She’s reached double-digit assists in every match so. Twice she’s put up a season-high 51 assists and another time 42. All were victories. Isabela Haggard S Dunbar KY: A 3-star Indiana commit, Haggard has been a vital part of Dunbar’s success. She’s totaled 745 assists and is averaging 8.8 per set so far. She’s also second in kills with 192, averaging 2.3 per set. She’s surpassed 30 or more assists 11 times, including twice reaching 40 or more. She had a season-high 43 assists in a four-set victory over Oldham in August. Maya Baker S Archbishop Mitty CA: Baker – a 4-star Notre Dame commit – has helped the nationally-ranked Monarchs to an 18-4 record at week’s start. She’s recorded 645 assists, averaging 10.8 per set. She’s reached double-digit assists in all but one contest, when she appeared in just one set that outing. She’s had at least 20 or more assists in all but for matches. She registered a season-high 54 assists in a five-set victory over St. Ignatius in August. Reese Messer S St. James Academy KS: Messer and the nationally-ranked Thunder are 29-3. The 5-star USC commit Is having a stellar season. She’s delivered 616 assists, averaging 9.9 per set, and has played in every set to date. She’s reached double-digit assists in every match. It included a season-best 40 assists in a three-set victory over Washburn Rural last week. Jordan Taylor MB Langham Creek TX: A

Read More »

vballrecruiter.com’s Player of the Week: Vivian Hickman (FREE)

October 3, 2023

We’re proud to be a part of an ongoing partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods, which is sponsoring our Player of the Week award. We’ll be releasing a featured vballrecruiter.com Player of the Week, sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, on Tuesdays. Below is this week’s Player of the Week: Vivian Hickman. *** Having played volleyball since she started in second grade and club since she was 10, our latest Player of the Week not only has her share of experience but she’s developed into a versatile player who excels both indoor and on the sand. Vivian Hickman – a 5-10, 3-star recruit from the Class of 2026 – is currently in her sophomore season at Xavier College Prep in Arizona. What she brings to a roster has been on full display these past two weekends as the Gators have competed in two prestigious national tournaments in the Durango Fall Classic and Nike TOC Southwest. She’s spent most of the season setting and hitting like she did in Las Vegas, where Xavier Prep finished in 11th place overall out of 64 teams. However, with a short-handed roster in Phoenix, Hickman was asked to perform as a six-rotation outside and helped her team take fifth place out of 32 teams. “We faced a lot of challenges and we got better,” Hickman said after Durango. “That tournament really continued preparing us for what’s ahead.” This past summer, Hickman was part of an AZ Sky 15G group which finished tied for 13th in 15 Open at the USAV Girls Junior National Championships in Chicago. There, she split time between running a 5-1 and setting and hitting as part of a 6-2. Hickman originally started volleyball as an outside before being moved to middle blocker. Then during her 12s season she was moved to setter and that led her to eventually setting and swinging. “I really do like setting,” she said. “That’s probably my favorite. But hitting does give me the chance to swing.” Hitting was her full-time responsibility last year as a freshman on varsity. She led Xavier Prep in kills 246, averaging 2.6 per set. She played in all but four sets in her rookie campaign. As a sophomore she’s taken on a dual role. Playing in all but one set so far this season, Hickman leads the Gators in assists 193. She’s also second in both kills (151) and digs (194). “It’s really fun,” she said of the season so far. “Everyone is so close on the team. We have such great chemistry and trust on the court. We all hang out all the time.” Beyond indoor, Hickman has enjoyed success in beach as well. She’s been playing that side of the sport for about four years. She said she really got into it when everything was shut down because of Covid. She played last season as part of Xavier’s beach team and was named Section Offensive Player of the Year by AZPreps365. She’s still not sure whether she’ll play both at the next level or not. “I’m definitely deciding on that,” she said. “They go hand-and-hand. Beach does compliment playing indoor. I’m liking both. I really do like indoor. It has to be the right opportunity to do both.” Outside of volleyball, Hickman enjoys baking and reading, as well as spending time with her family and friends. She’s in her first year of being part of the AIA Student Leadership Advisory Committee (SLAC). “I really like to be involved in a good way,” Hickman said. She also added that “when I get older I want to go into medicine or be a psychologist. I like to see how people’s brains work and the decisions they make. I would like to help people or even potentially go pro.” As our featured Player of the Week sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, we recently spoke with Hickman about volleyball and more. Who is a role model or someone you look up to? Hickman: I think it’s Serena Williams. I love her passion and grit on the court and how she is so involved in her sport. I just recently started looking into her. She’s really cool and I really like what she’s about. I saw the movie about the sisters and I thought it was really interesting. What is your favorite food? Hickman: I really like enchiladas. Chipotle is my favorite restaurant. My go-to order is a burrito with white rice, pinto beans, chicken and queso. Other than volleyball, what skill would you most like to learn and why? Hickman: I would really like to learn photography and how to take high-quality photos. Taking pictures like that would be really fun to learn. If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be and why? Hickman: I would choose to skydive because that seems like it would be so much fun. I would be so scared but I would love the thrill of it. Aside from necessities, what is one thing you could not go a day without? Hickman: It would probably be Capri Sun. I drink so many of those. I love them. I put them in the freezer and drink them like slushies. I like Pacific Cooler. It’s really good. What is one thing that instantly makes your day better or makes you smile? Hickman: My family and friends. When I see them we start cracking jokes and they make me laugh. If you could have any superpower what would it be and why? Hickman: I would want to have the ability to teleport. I get anxious about time. I don’t like to be late to anything. That would be such a helper and it would save me so much stress. Outside of volleyball what are you most passionate about and why? Hickman: I’m really passionate about my school and grades. I’m also passionate about my family and friend bonds because those are really important too. What is one thing that may surprise people about you? Hickman: Something

Read More »

vballrecruiter.com’s Top 50 National HS Rankings (Oct. 2)

October 2, 2023

We are entering the last month of the season for some states. Meanwhile, others are barely past their halfway points. As states conclude their seasons, that will start to finalize certain school’s spots in the national rankings. However, nothing is solidified yet. As for this week’s updated rankings, there was very little movement at the top a week after we saw Mater Dei CA take over the top spot in the country. While the Monarchs retained their place atop the Top 50, we did see a few of last week’s undefeated teams fall. We entered last week with 11 teams in the Top 50 still unbeaten, but Divine Savior Holy Angels WI, Blue Valley North KS, Seton OH and Angola IN all suffered their first loss of the year. That leaves the undefeated list at seven in Papillion-La Vista South NE, Hamilton Southeastern IN, Wayzata MN, Skyridge UT, Lake Catholic OH, Valor Christian CO and Lewis-Palmer CO. You can view the full rankings below. vballrecruiter.com’S TOP 50 NATIONAL HS RANKINGS 1. Mater Dei CA (1 – previous ranking) 2. Mira Costa CA (2) 3. Papillion-La Vista South NE (3) 4. Cathedral Catholic CA (4) 5. Prestonwood Christian TX (5) 6. Grand Oaks TX (7) 7. Hamilton Southeastern IN (10) 8. Wayzata MN (14) 9. Boyd TX (17) 10. Benet Academy IL (18) *** 11. Skyridge UT (23) 12. Mother McAuley IL (26) 13. Divine Savior Holy Angels WI (11) 14. Assumption KY (8) 15. St. Francis/Mountain View CA (21) 16. Marist IL (22) 17. Notre Dame Academy KY (12) 18. Cornerstone Christian TX (6) 19. Dripping Springs TX (24) 20. Sierra Canyon CA (9) *** 21. Carrollwood Day FL (25) 22. O’Connor AZ (36) 23. Blue Valley North KS (12) 24. Archbishop Mitty CA (20) 25. Branson CA (27) 26. Oconomowoc WI (29) 27. Calvary Christian FL (33) 28. Lake Catholic OH (34) 29. Kings OH (n/r) 30. Valor Christian CO (43) *** 31. Xavier Prep AZ (19) 32. St. James Academy KS (45) 33. St. Thomas Aquinas KS (46) 34. Lafayette MO (47) 35. Viera FL (30) 36. Punahou HI (32) 37. Winter Park FL (35) 38. Lone Peak UT (38) 39. Seton OH (15) 40. North Branch MI (n/r) *** 41. Huntington Beach CA (37) 42. Bishop Alemany CA (40) 43. Lewis-Palmer CO (50) 44. Los Alamitos CA (48) 45. Angola IN (16) 46. Maize South KS (28) 47. Torrey Pines CA (42) 48. Berkeley Prep FL (39) 49. Northville MI (49) 50. Mercy McAuley OH (41) *** ON THE CUSPBellmont INSacred Heart Academy KYBingham UTRedondo Union CACorona del Sol AZMillennium AZPace Academy GA (50)Marymount CABishop Gorman NVKamehameha HINotre Dame Prep AZDorman SCNorth Myrtle Beach SCNixa MOPope GAAlpharetta GABob Jones ALHudsonville MIByron Nelson TXSt. Ursula Academy OHMount Notre Dame OHLiberty North MOCorner Canyon UTPleasant Grove UTFlint Hill VAPlant FLHagerty FLVenice FLWestminster Christian FLColleyville Heritage TXCypress Ranch TXHarlan TXRoncalli INYorktown INWashburn Rural KSProsper TXGlenbard West ILBrighton ILQueen Creek AZJenks OKMount St. Mary OKMiddle Creek NCLake Highland Prep FL

Read More »

Asics Challenge: The All Red Hat Team

October 2, 2023

It was a fun two days in Chicago this past weekend watching so many of the top Midwest teams square off against each other at the Asics Challenge hosted by Mother McAuley! We wrote about the Day 1 Show Stoppers and Day 2 Show Stoppers already and now present the Asics Challenge Red Hat Team. Congrats to Mother McAuley for winning the 2023 title and congrats to all the athletes who balled out this weekend! OUTSIDES Ellie White SR Mother McAuley IL Sydney Buchanan JR Mother McAuley IL Bella Bullington JR Marist IL Madison Quest JR DSHA WI Sophia Wendlick SR DSHA WI Lauren Salata SR Nazareth Academy IL Addison West SO Skutt Catholic NE Abbie Hagehorn SO Skutt Catholic NE Morgan Jones SR Huntley IL Charlotte Moriarty SR Assumption KY Chloe Smith SR Assumption KY Ana Vetter SR New Trier IL Ava Tilden JR Notre Dame Academy KY Aubree Deshetsky SO North Branch MI Whitney Mall JR Barrington IL Kelley Crowley SO Downers Grove North IL Brooklynne Brass SO Minooka IL Eva Finnessy JR Hamilton WI *** MIDDLE BLOCKERS Ellery Rees SR Mother McAuley IL Keira Ohse SR Mother McAuley IL Maddie Brown SO DSHA WI Bailey Blair JR Assumption KY Audrey Dyas SO Notre Dame Academy KY Elise Sterling SR Sandburg IL Berkeley Ploder SR Barrington IL Cassidy Cage SO Marist IL *** RIGHT SIDES Georgia Watson JR Huntley IL Riley McCloseky JR Notre Dame Academy KY Jessica Kurpeikis SR Marist IL Emma Barnett JR Assumption KY Eleanor Dorritie SR Penfield NY Mary Claire Deacy JR Mother McAuley IL *** SETTERS Jenna Meitzler SR Barrington IL Gwen Adler SR Barrington IL Peyton Heatherly S Mother McAuley IL Addy Horner JR St. Francis/Wheaton IL Brooke Baldwin SO Hamilton WI Jordan Czajkowski JR DSHA WI Maddie Berry JR Marist IL Sarah Musial SR St. Charles East IL Emilee Fuller JR Assumption KY Adrienne Greschaw SR North Branch MI Jessica Horn SR Joliet Catholic IL *** LIBEROS Julia Grace JR Notre Dame Academy KY Samantha Falk SR Mother McAuley IL Paisley Douglas SR Skutt Catholic NE Olivia Durst JR DSHA WI Kristen Simon JR Assumption KY Reilly Chausse SR Sandburg IL Elayna Davidson SO Marist IL Emily Zgonc SO Hamilton WI

Read More »

Nike TOC Southwest: The All Red Hat Team

October 2, 2023

The Nike TOC Southwest tournament over the weekend in the greater Phoenix area produced a wild ride throughout the two days of competition. It all ended with St. Francis/Mountain View CA topping Cornerstone Christian TX in the final. You can read more about the championship here. We also released our Day 2 Show Stoppers. We wrap up our coverage with our All Red Hat Team. It’s different from the All-Tournament announced by the tournament directors and features our favorite players from two days of play in the National division. ALL RED HAT TEAM OUTSIDESVictoria Marthaler SR La Cueva NMMegan Fitch JR Cornerstone Christian TXAniya Hall JR Cornerstone Christian TXEmily Pruitt SR Sunrise Mountain AZAddison Wiemann SO Sunrise Mountain AZJulie Beckham SO Coronado NVGentry Oblad SO Coronado NVVivian Hickman SO Xavier Prep AZMadisyn Crnjac SO Queen Creek AZTaylor Williams OH St. Francis/Mountain View CAErin Curtis OH St. Francis/Mountain View CALauren Forelli FR Liberty AZMia Radeff SR Sacred Heart Prep CAGeorgi Stein JR Sunnyslope AZZoe Haan JR Sunnyslope AZTeraya Sigler JR Horizon AZDionna Mitchell SR Timber Creek FLEvan Hendrix SR Notre Dame Prep AZReese Shugart SO Dorman SCKate Martin SR Marymount CA MIDDLESSophie Diouf JR La Cueva NMDyBorrah Johnson JR Casteel AZElla Fulton SO St. Francis/Mountain View CAKendall Omoruyi FR Sunnyslope AZJordyn Joppru SO Pinnacle AZElle Vandeweghe SO Marymount CAMadeline Way SR Sierra Canyon CA RIGHT SIDESTea Kalajdzic SR La Cueva NMGrace Carroll SR Cornerstone Christian TXBlaykli Bobik SR Queen Creek AZKamille Scott SO Casteel AZNatalie Harris JR Lake Highland Prep FL SETTERSHannah Maguire SR St. Francis/Mountain View CAIsabelle Marco SR Sacred Heart Prep CATristen Raymond JR Liberty AZKK Green JR Lake Highland Prep FLKaelyn Putz SR Xavier Prep AZKaeley Walz SR Sacred Heart Academy KYHailee Peters SR Liberty AZSade Illawole SR Sierra Canyon CA LIBEROSMarianne Garcia SO Millennium AZHannah Allman SR Sunrise Mountain AZIzzy Mahaffey JR Queen Creek AZWhitney Wallace SR St. Francis/Mountain View CANola Smith JR Hamilton AZErin Clark SO Corona del Sol AZAva Lambert JR Horizon AZ

Read More »

Nike TOC Southwest: Day 2 Show Stoppers

October 1, 2023

With teams converging from all around the country, it was Nor Cal’s St. Francis/Mountain View topping them all after getting past Cornerstone Christian TX in the championship match of the Nike TOC Southwest tournament Saturday in the greater Phoenix area. It was a day filled with both tremendous team and individual efforts. We highlight those who stood out the most to us below with our Day 2 Show Stoppers. DAY 2 SHOW STOPPERS Elina Wheeler SR L Sacred Heart Prep CA: The Gators were among the surprise teams by reaching the quarterfinals after upsetting Sierra Canyon CA. Wheeler was part of the run, supplying support in the back row and helping set the defensive tone. Isabelle Marco SR S/RS Sacred Heart Prep CA: Marco – a 3-star Utah commit – is the glue piece and does a lot to contribute toward her team’s success. She’s a consistent setter who locates well. She’s also a smart hitter who can frustrate defenses with her various shots. Marianne Garcia SO L Millennium AZ: Garcia is a scrappy defender who moves and covers well. She doesn’t flinch against big hitters and does well extending rallies. Victoria Marthaler SR OH La Cueva NM: A 3-star recruit, Marthaler is the go-to on the left and provides lots of offense. She’s a heady attacker who can take big swings or let up and score with off speed shots. Sophie Diouf JR MB La Cueva NM: Diouf – another 3-star recruit – provides a boost offensively across the front row. She has a solid arm and does well making herself available. Tea Kalajdzic SR RS La Cueva NM: Kalajdzic helps open the attack with the scoring punch she provides on the right side. Megan Fitch JR OH Cornerstone Christian TX: Fitch – a 5-star Texas AM commit – keeps coming at defenses and never backs down. She’s an aggressive, physical attacker who can torch defenses whether she’s front or back row. Grace Carroll SR RS Cornerstone Christian TX: A 4-star Baylor commit, Carroll is an imposing presence on the right side with her ability to impact rallies with her blocking and scoring. She can stuff balls straight down and she’s also a terminal attacker with a booming arm. Aniya Hall JR OH Cornerstone Christian TX: Hall – a 3-star recruit – jumps well and is another player the Warriors rely on to provide offense. She takes big swings and can deliver highlight kills at times. Elly Stewart JR MB Cornerstone Christian TX: Stewart filled her role well. She was coming up with timely plays with both her blocking and hitting. *** DyBorrah Johnson JR MB Casteel AZ: Johnson is a high-flying middle who can deliver wow moments. She gets up quickly and can pound balls straight down in impressive fashion. Hannah Allman SR L Sunrise Mountain AZ: Sunrise had a great run to the semifinals, in part because of the defensive energy Allman brings to the lineup. She flies around the court and has a never-give-up attitude. Addison Wiemann SO OH Sunrise Mountain AZ: Wiemann is part of a solid 1-2 punch on the outside. She brings size to the front row and helping boost the attack. Emily Pruitt SR OH Sunrise Mountain AZ: Pruitt is a six-rotation mainstay who provides both plenty of offense and a steadying presence. She has a strong arm and can unload when the moment is right. Julie Beckham SO OH Coronado NV: Beckham is a fun outside to watch. She is fearless against bigger blocks and takes aggressive cuts. Gentry Oblad SO OH Coronado NV: Oblad is another outside who is tough to deal with. She jumps well, has a nice arm and hits with plenty of pace. Annemarie O’Gara JR RS Xavier Prep AZ: O’Gara showed a knack for making timely plays on the right side. She came up with key blocks and clutch kills to help the Gators to a fifth-place finish. Vivian Hickman SO OH Xavier Prep AZ: Hickman continued her role as six-rotation outside as Xavier was playing short-handed. She was leaned on to carry the offensive load. She’s a cagey attacker who showed her beach skills with a wide variety of shots. Chineze Gray JR MB Xavier Prep AZ: Gray is an undersized middle and brings a lot of pep to the front row. She’s quick and moves well and was also making plays at the right times. Izzy Mahaffey JR L Queen Creek AZ: Mahaffey – a 4-star Long Beach State commit – was holding it down in the back row. She was passing consistently out of serve receive and making hustle plays to keep rallies going. *** Madisyn Crnjac SO OH Queen Creek AZ: Crnjac – a 3-star recruit – doesn’t shy away from taking big swings. She keeps coming at defenses with her strong arm that can produce powerful kills. Blaykli Bobik SR RS Queen Creek AZ: A 4-star BYU commit, Bobik played on the outside last week at Durango but was on the right side on Day 2. She has a lively arm and when she gets up and connect, watch out because the ball is coming in hot. Taylor Williams SR OH St. Francis/Mountain View CA: Williams – a 4-star Duke commit – comes with it time and time again. She helped fueled the Lancers’ attack with ability to blast balls from the front and back row with ease. Whitney Wallace SR L St. Francis/Mountain View CA: A 3-star Oklahoma commit, was among the standout defenders. She’s calm and plays under control and doesn’t rattle in pressure situations. Erin Curtis SR OH St. Francis/Mountain View CA: Curtis is another mainstay in the lineup as a six-rotation outside. She’s a consistent passer out of serve receive and she too can score all the way around. Hannah Maguire SR S St. Francis/Mountain View CA: Maguire does a nice job running the offense and delivering to her various hitters. She also brings her share of energy to the court. Ella Fulton SO MB St.

Read More »

Asics Challenge: Day 2 Show Stoppers and More

October 1, 2023

Mother McAuley IL defended its home court at the 2023 Asics Challenge and was crowned CHAMPIONS after taking down Notre Dame Academy KY in the final! The second day of the tournament hosted by the Macs showcased an electric display of talent and tenacity on the volleyball court. From the very start, it was apparent that this would be a day with tons of incredible plays and exceptional effort. The stage was set for an exhilarating clash of skills, as the athletes on the floor left no room for disappointment. The adrenaline was palpable as the gold bracket kicked off with a thrilling showdown between Mother McAuley and Marist IL. The history between these two teams added an extra layer of intensity to the competition, with Marist having recently claimed victory over Mother McAuley the week prior. Nestled just blocks away from each other, the fierce rivalry was on full display, with club teammates now transformed into fierce opponents. This time it was Mother McAuley who emerged with the win over Marist in three exhilarating sets (25-27, 25-2, 25-14). And on a side note the pins on both sides of the net were bringing the heat every single point, which made the liberos and defensive specialists have to ball out the entire match. The gold bracket semifinals match up between Notre Dame Academy and Assumption KY also was electric. These teams — having faced each other already this season when Assumption outlasted Notre Dame to claim the LIVT title — showcased a lot of fire at the net and defensively in the back court. Notre Dame emerged triumphant, securing a gripping victory over Assumption in three (24-26, 25-15, 29-27). And like the Mother McAuley/Marist match above it was full of aggressive swings and scrappy defensive plays. In the finals Mother McAuley squared off against Notre Dame Academy, which was a repeat from the 2022 finals match. Mother McAuley ended up winning in two 25-20, 25-17. Asics Challenge All Tournament Team (named by tourney officials)   DAY 2 SHOW STOPPERS Bella Bullington JR OH Marist IL: Bullington, a 4-star recruit committed to Northwestern, has a hammer for an arm. Not only can she swing anywhere on the court, but she gets great air which makes her a very lethal attacker. Maddie Berry JR S Marist IL: At first glance Berry isn’t your typical 5-1 setter, BUT let me tell you, she holds her own there in the front row. She also dishes well to her hitters everywhere on the court. Jessica Kurpeikis SR RS Marist IL: Kurpeikis, a Wisconsin Green Bay commit, is a lefty who Marist uses a ton of in the front row. She has a no fear attitude when swinging and loves to tool the block. Elayna Davidson SO L Marist IL: Davidson was smooth out of serve receive. She is incredibly nimble on her feet and can run balls down anywhere she needs to. Morgan Jones SR OH Huntley IL: Jones, a 3-star recruit committed to Missouri, can get up quickly and can generate pace on her attacks. Georgia Watson JR MB Huntley IL: Watson, a 4-star recruit committed to Kentucky, is a six-rotation right side. She is not only a wall at the net but swings well anywhere they need her to. Samantha Falk SR L Mother McAuley IL: Falk, a 3-star recruit committed to Loyola Chicago, was showcasing her skills by making some big-time digs on the court time after time. Olivia Urbon SR DS Mother McAuley IL: Urbon is the queen of aces. Her serving is a key component for her squad. And defensively she is sound in the back court. Ellery Rees SR MB Mother McAuley IL: Rees, a 3-star recruit committed to Alabama, made up one half of the defensive wall for her squad. She’s a physical middle who hits with power and puts up a strong block. Mary Claire Deacy JR RS Mother McAuley IL: Deacy another other part of that wall for her squad. She was huge defensively at the net. *** Gwen Adler SR S Barrington IL: Adler, a Seton Hall commit, is a smooth disher and runs a nice offense. She has soft hands, locates well and doesn’t give her sets away. Whitney Mall JR OH Barrington IL: Mall has potential written all over her. She seems even longer than her height of 6-2 and carries a smooth yet powerful arm. Berkeley Ploder SR MB Barrington IL: Ploder, who is committed to Georgetown, has a huge upside. She puts up a solid block as well as presenting a great scoring option. Jenna Meitzler SR S Barrington IL: Meitzler, a 3-star recruit committed to Iowa, is a fluid and reliable setter with strong hands. She also can get up and hit with authority on the right side. Molly Fox SR MB Sandburg IL: Fox might not be as tall as the other middle blockers but she literally has a knack for blocking. She has an incredible read on the ball defensively. Elise Sterling SR MB Sandburg IL: Sterling adds physicality to her squad. She’s strong and has a powerful arm when swinging quicks or the slide. Aubree Deshetsky SO OH North Branch MI: Deshetsky, a 3-star recruit, can pack a punch anywhere on the court. She has a smooth swing and generates pace consistently. Alana Deshetsky SR OH North Branch MI: Deshetsky, a Ferris State commit, is a steadying six-rotation player who does just about everything for her squad. She is also a smart hitter who finds a way to get the point. Adrienne Greschaw SR S North Branch MI: Greschaw directs the offense well. She sets a great ball with very consistent location Eva Finnessy JR OH Hamilton WI: Finnessy has a heavy hand and takes aggressive swings and goes right at and/or through the blockers. *** Brooke Aslakson JR MB Hamilton WI: Aslakson has lots of upside to her. She sees the court well. She has a strong feel for blocking and gets in the way

Read More »

Nike TOC Southwest: Championship Rundown

October 1, 2023

With two of the top-four seeds lining up from each other in the championship match, much of the chaos that had ruled the Nike TOC Southwest tournament had settled. All that was left to determine was this year’s champion. Second-seeded Cornerstone Christian TX was looking to not only capture both Nike TOC events in 2023, but was also seeking to defend its tournament title here from a season ago. However, St. Francis/Mountain View CA wasn’t ready to play its part. Instead, the fourth-seeded Lancers were spoilers in defeating Cornerstone in three, 25-19, 22-25, 15-6, as they gear up for another state final run. After suffering its only loss last year to Cathedral Catholic CA in the CIF Open Division state final, St. Francis beefed up its schedule this fall by adding the Durango Fall Classic and Nike TOC Southwest tourneys to its slate. A week after finishing in 13th place in Las Vegas, the Lancers had to put in a lot of work Saturday to rise to the top of the 32-team National division field. All four outings went the distance, starting with its closest decision of the day in beating Beckman CA, 20-25, 25-18, 15-11, in qualifying pla. St. Francis was dominant in the decisive set the rest of the way. The Lancers beat Millennium AZ in the quarterfinals, 25-15, 24-26, 15-7, and then Liberty AZ in the semis, 11-25, 25-19, 15-4, before doing the same to Cornerstone – which took sixth at Durango last weekend – in the final there. An anticipated rubber match between Cornerstone and top-seeded Sierra Canyon CA didn’t materialize. Cornerstone beat Sierra Canyon back in August during pool play at the Ann Kang Invitational. The sides ran into each other last weekend in Vegas, with Sierra Canyon sweeping Cornerstone in the quarterfinals and spoiling any chance of a rematch between Mira Costa CA – which beat Cornerstone in the Ann Kang final – and Cornerstone in the final. There was no trilogy, however, as Sierra Canyon – playing without 4-star San Diego libero commit Lauren Lynch – was upset in the morning qualifying round by Sacred Heart Prep CA, 25-18, 25-20. It continued a trend of top seeds bowing out early, as No. 5 Sacred Heart Academy KY, No. 6 Corona del Sol and No. 7 Lake Highland Prep failed to advance on Day 1. It opened the door for others to make noise. One was Sunrise Mountain AZ. The Mustangs went 3-0 on Day 1 – including beating Corona del Sol – and then eliminated third-seeded Xavier Prep AZ in the quarterfinals. Xavier – a week after taking 11th at Durango – caught a tough break as freshman outside Tessa Larkin wasn’t available for this weekend’s tournament. As for Sunrise, the Mustangs’ hopes of a Cinderella run ended to Cornerstone in the semis, 25-14, 25-13. Joining Sunrise Mountain in making waves was Liberty AZ. The Lions lost their season-opener to Xavier Prep before going on a seven-match winning streak. But it was a tough week heading into the Nike TOC as Liberty dropped matches to Sunnyslope, Corona del Sol and O’Connor before coming alive over the weekend. It started with Liberty – which opened as the No. 9 seed – taking down No. 8 Marymount CA in three sets to win its pool Friday. Liberty then kept it going by beating Notre Dame Prep AZ in qualifying play Saturday morning before beating Sacred Heart Prep in the quarterfinals. St. Francis proved too much in the semifinals. Sunrise Mountain beat Liberty in one game to 25 for third place. Xavier Prep swept Millennium to end up in fifth. Sacred Heart Prep downed Queen Creek AZ to wind up in seventh place. Meanwhile, Marymount finished up in ninth place after Sierra Canyon forfeited that match. The two schools are in the same league and play each other this coming week, so it’s not surprising they wouldn’t play to close Saturday’s action. Marymount had a shot at the platinum bracket but was stunned when Queen Creek AZ produced a giant rally in qualifying play. Marymount took the opening set and was leading 20-13 in Game 2 before the Bulldogs turned it around and prevailed in three, 24-26, 25-23, 15-13. In the Premier division, it was Canyon View AZ beating Verrado AZ, 14-25, 25-19, 15-10, for the title. In the Elite division, Christian CA swept Seton Catholic AZ, 25-19, 25-16, in the final.

Read More »