Attending the Nike TOC Southwest tournament this past weekend in the greater Phoenix area was a blast. For the first time, the event was staged in one location at the Bell Bank Park. As expected, the volleyball was high level, with Cornerstone Christian TX bringing the heat and heading home with the championship. We already highlighted under the radar players we witnessed and now it’s time to get to the Show Stoppers. These are the players who caught our attention the most.
Nayeli Gonzalez SR MB Cornerstone Christian TX – Gonzalez – an Iowa State commit – is the heartbeat of the Warriors and she performed as such. Her willingness to play out of position in the middle and not be on the court for all six rotations is the definition of selfless. She has a big, booming arm and simply can overpower opponents at times.
Taylor Anderson SR S Cornerstone Christian TX – Anderson – a Purdue commit – is used to running a 5-1 in club but is also making a sacrifice running a 6-2 so the Warriors can implement all their weapons. She’s smooth and consistent with her sets and had an amazing stretch with four consecutive blocks to turn the tide of the third set of the final in a major way.
Macey Hughes SO RS Cornerstone Christian TX – A 6-2 lefty, Hughes could be considered the unsung hero. She has a knack for coming up with timely kills or blocks and is a reason why it comes from everywhere when it comes to the Warriors’ attack.
Kaia Thiele SO S Cornerstone Christian TX – Thiele did well when it was her turn to set across the back row. She connected well with all her hitters and was strong going behind her and keeping defenses off guard.
Grace Carroll JR RS Cornerstone Christian TX – A 6-3 Baylor commit, this 4-star recruit had a great weekend. Carroll was tough to slow and came through with plenty of impressive kills.
Alyssa Manitzas SR L Cornerstone Christian TX – We love the fiery nature and energy Manitzas – a Notre Dame commit – brings to the lineup. She’s an absolute stud who gets after it every point with maximum effort.
Megan Fitch SO OH Cornerstone Christian TX – A 5-star recruit, the thought of Fitch only getting better is a scary one. She’s a composed sophomore who doesn’t back down from the moment. She’s not afraid of taking big swings and is someone the Warriors will go to when clutch points are needed.
Charlie Fuerbringer JR S Mira Costa CA – There’s a lot that can be said of this 5-star Wisconsin commit. Mira Costa doesn’t have the big arms and bangers like others they have encountered but Fuerbringer helps make up for a lot of it with her setting skills and ability to direct an offense.
Taylor Deckert SO L Mira Costa CA – Deckert is smooth and steady and doesn’t seem to get rattled. She’s not someone who gets served very often because opponents know to keep the ball away from her.
Erin Inskeep SR OH Mira Costa CA – With teammate Drew Wright out for Saturday’s action, Inskeep brought her beach skills to the floor and was instrumental in the Mustangs reaching the final. She’s a solid passer and heady attacker and Mira Costa definitely need her play to make it that far.
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Tanon Rosenthal SR RS Mira Costa CA – Rosenthal continues to bring value to the lineup. She can set in the back row at times, though she’s used more for her attacking. She helps spread out of the offense and stays aggressive.
Babi Gubbins JR OH Mater Dei CA – Gubbins certainly had her moments. She’s asked to carry a good-sized load offensively and her various shots can keep defenses guessing.
Isabel Clark JR OH Mater Dei CA – There’s times when Clark – a San Diego commit – destroys balls. It that’s type of attacking that can make Mater Dei dangerous no matter the opponent.
Malyssa Cawa JR L Mater Dei CA – Cawa was steady out of serve receive and did well keeping Mater Dei in system. She moves well and can make up ground in keeping plays alive.
Torrey Stafford SR OH Marymount CA – Plenty has already been said about this 5-star recruit and Pitt commit. Stafford is an integral component as to why the Sailors continue to put together a successful season despite losing so much from last year’s national championship team. She’s a highlight reel who delivers some of the biggest kills in the gym.
Lauren Brooker SR S Marymount CA – Brooker has turned in a steady season and kept it up in Phoenix. At 6-2, she’s a taller setter who knows how to get her hitters involved by mixing it up. She can also be called upon to hit in the front row if the Sailors want some more offense.
Kendal Murphy SR OH Horizon AZ – The 4-star Baylor commit is well-known to those who follow the sport. She’s a great competitor with high IQ. She’s the go-to hitter and when the Huskies need something to happen they turn to her.
Teraya Sigler SO OH Horizon AZ – Sigler – a 5-star recruit who was finally eligible to play this week – shows what she brings to the lineup. She’s an all-around contributor with her passing and hitting. And watch out when she gets a hold of one!
Grace Greenlee SR MB Horizon AZ – At 6-3, Greenlee brings height to the middle. Defenses need to be aware because when in system the Huskies love to go to Greenlee. She’s a big arm and sent booming kills down.
Kierstyn Barton SR OH Corona del Sol AZ – Barton – a Washington commit – was sharp and a big part of the Aztecs’ success. At 6-2, she has height and is a physical attacker who is aggressive and keeps the pressure on the defense.
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Alyssa Aguayo SO OH Corona del Sol AZ – Aguayo is part of the reason the Aztecs are the 6A favorites. She helps assure the team always has someone in the front row who can generate offense and score points when called upon.
Erin Clark FR L Corona del Sol AZ – This freshman was really impressive. She has great composure and was making plays all over the place all weekend long.
Maggie Beauer JR RS Corona del Sol AZ – Beauer, at 6-2, is part of a tall front row. She can go over blocks with her swings while putting up a big block herself.
Ella Lomigora SR MB Corona del Sol AZ – We really liked what Lomigora brought to the court. The Long Beach State commit is a reliable scorer and her length gives opposing attackers troubles as they try to navigate shots around her.
Evan Hendrix JR OH Notre Dame Prep AZ – A springy outside, Hendrix can take over at times. When the TCU commit has it going defenses don’t know what to do. She has a variety of shots and is an effective scorer whether front or back row.
Lexi Yoza SR S Notre Dame Prep AZ – Yoza – a Temple commit – is a smooth disher who can be tough to get a read on. Her deception opens up the attack and gives her hitters great looks.
Talea Mitchell JR MB Millennium AZ – Mitchell brings a different scoring dynamic to the offense when she’s in. She has a nice arm and put away balls with authority at times.
Eryn Jones SR OH Millennium AZ – Jones is a tough cover. The TCU commit can jump and rip it, which makes it hard for defenses to contain her.
Bianca Richardson JR OH Faith Lutheran NV – A 6-0 outside, Richardson is a key cog in the Crusaders’ attack. She carries a good arm and is capable of pounding down balls and exciting her teammates.
Kaeley Thoney Walz JR S/RS Sacred Heart KY – Walz’s versatility is a valuable piece of the lineup. The 5-11 junior does well setting in the back row and gives Sacred Heart another option to utilize across the front row and spread out the attack with.
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Anna Powell SO OH Sacred Heart KY – We’ve seen Powell at the LIVT, Durango and now here. The 6-1 outside has not disappointed anywhere. She’s lanky with a fluid swing and is one to keep an eye on as she continues to develop.
Neomi Beach SR OH Hamilton AZ – A San Diego commit, Beach is a wirey outside with a quick swing. She’s the go-to hitter and the one Hamilton looks at to carry the offensive load. She’s a threat front and back row.
Nola Smith SO L Hamilton AZ – There were times we caught Smith and she was on fire. She was making great plays on any ball that came her way.
Laney Wilson SO RS Sunnyslope AZ – Part of the reason Sunnyslope has pulled off a couple of big in-state upsets so far is the play of this 6-0 right side. Wilson’s length can be problematic. She has nice extension and a solid swing which combines into a reliable scoring option for the Vikings.
Georgi Stein SO OH Sunnyslope AZ – This 6-0 outside is unheralded but shined on the big stage nevertheless. She jumps well and has a good swing, providing plenty of firepower.
Ayanna Watson FR OH Bishop Gorman NV – Watson is a freshman sensation and one of the best prospects in the Class of 2026. She’s lengthy at 6-2 and has a great arm. She can rocket winners over and over and gives Bishop Gorman an excellent scoring punch.
Izzy Mahaffey SO L Queen Creek AZ – Queen Creek doesn’t make it easy on opponents and one reason is the play of Mahaffey. She’s a lights-out defender who commands the back row and has great ball control skills.
Blaykli Bobik JR OH Queen Creek AZ – Bobik showcased her whippy arm. The 4-star BYU commit can blast kills when the opportunity opens up. She’s the go-to and a player Queen Creek relies on a lot to help power the offense.
Brooklyn Briscoe SR MB Santa Fe Christian CA – The 4-star, UCLA commit brings plenty to the lineup when she checks in. She carries a big arm and a big block and she’s nearly impossible to stop, even when teams know she’s getting set.
Taliah Lee SR OH Timpview UT – Lee is a handful for blockers and defenders to deal with. She’s a strong, physical attacker who hits a heavy, hard ball.
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Tiana Mariner SO L Timpview UT – Timpview’s played a challenging schedule heading to Durango and now here and part of the reason Timpview is so competitive is the backrow play of Mariner. She’s an athletic libero who makes up space. The three-star recruit is a solid and consistent passer and keeps Timpview in system.
Delany Gash JR OH Dunbar KY – Give Dunbar credit for making the trip and competing at an event like this one. Gash can deliver the goods. She has a lively arm and is fun to watch when she’s letting loose and ripping them down.
Avery Hassman JR L Eagle ID – Hassman definitely brings a defensive intensity to the floor. She covers and digs well. She has the ability to erase big swings and get the ball up to keep her team in the rally.
Maija Howse SO OH Eagle ID – A rising prospect, the 6-2, 3-star sophomore has the length to give defenses fits. Howse has a smooth swing and generates a lot of pace to pressure defenders with.
Delaney Bub JR OH Eagle ID – The Mustangs went toe-to-toe against stiff competition in part because of what Bub brings to the attack. She’s a reliable and consistent scorer with a good arm. It’s no wonder she leads the team in kills on the year.
