We spent three days covering 15-17 Open at the Salt Lake City Showdown. Yes, there was 18 Open too but we focused on the younger age groups because of the 18s qualifier coming So Cal this past weekend. Below, we highlight some of the top right sides we saw throughout the course of the weekend. The athletes featured are from what we witnessed with our own eyes and who we thought was performing well at the time we saw them playing.
15 OPEN
Addison Gaido, Right Side, Austin Skyline 15 Royal – A good option for Austin Skyline on the right side because Gaido brings height to the front row and can really go at smaller blocks with some strong rips at the ball.
Evelyn Potter, Right Side, Flyers 15 APX-John – Flyers isn’t a particularly big team but Potter helps make up for it with her attacking. She’s able to play with physicality and is capable of hitting hard balls when it lines up for her.
Raegan Richardson, Right Side, AZ Storm 15 Thunder – Richardson helps balance out the Storm attack when she checks in the front row because Storm will look to get her the ball when in system. She had moments where she had some big swings and loud winners.
16 OPEN
Avah Armour, Right Side, Co Jrs 16 Sherri – A junior already committed to Central Florida, at 6-5 Armour is a handful for defenses to figure out and slow down. Co Jrs will line her up at outside or right side and at times can be part of serve receive. Wherever she’s at though Co Jrs is going to get her the ball and let her over and around blocks with her long frame.
Jessica Jones, Right Side/Middle, Flyers 16 APX Dylan – There’s a lot to like about Jones and her long presence on the court. She’s a versatile player for Flyers, playing at middle or right side depending on what Flyers wants to do. It really doesn’t matter because she’s effective at any spot with her fluid swing and ability to hit from the left, middle or right and always keeping pressure on the defense.
Howdy Hawkins, Right Side, Livewire 16 Adidas – Hawkins can raise some eyebrows when she swings. She carries a lively arm and can crack some balls with she gets a hold of them, including when she’s getting set in the back row.
Madison Bland, Right Side, SIVBC 16 Black – Sudden Impact can move Bland around, setting her on the right and on the X in hopes of getting her involved in the offense. The lefty is definitely an option when she’s front row who can provide consistent scoring.
Gia McGrew, Right Side, Gainesville Jrs 16 Black – One thing McGrew brings to the lineup is her physicality. Gainesville will get her the ball on the right side and she can take some powerful swings. She’s also able to return the favor with her blocking.
17 OPEN
Sarah Wadsworth, Right Side, Arizona Storm 17 Thunder – This 5-11 right side can get up and is an explosive attacker for Storm.
Eryn Jones, Right Side, AZ REV 17 Premier – With the firepower at outside, teams can’t forget about Jones on the right. When in system, she helps balance out the attack in a big way. She can get up and hit with power and some of her kills really fire up the team. She also is used in serve receive at times, adding another element to her game.
Gabriella Placide, Right Side, Co Jrs 17 Kevin – The more Placide is involved in the offense, the better Co Jrs is playing. At 6-2, she has a big jump to boot and those two things cause lots of problems for the defense when she’s on the attack.
Olivia Babcock, Right Side, Sunshine 17 LA – Another Pitt commit who stood out, Babcock has the ability to take over matches at times. She can absolutely blast balls when she’s on and if the block isn’t tall enough there’s not much the defense can do to slow her down.
Kierstyn Barton, Right Side, Aspire 17 Premier – Opponents don’t want to let Barton get going. She’s a big swinger and a physical attacker who can unload on her shots, pumping up her teammates when she sends down a ball with authority.
