The So Cal Invitational takes place Friday and Saturday at Alliant University in San Diego. It features 23 teams in Division 1 and another 24 schools in Division 2. The first and second-place teams in each pool advance to Saturday qualifying with hopes of making the eight-team gold bracket. The event features mostly California schools but does have teams like Coronado NV, Perry AZ, Lake Stevens WA and Oviedo FL making the trip. Below, we highlight the top seven seeds plus more players to watch for this weekend.
TEAM SPOTLIGHTS
Coronado NV – The Cougars’ only loss to an in-state foe this season came at the hands of Bishop Gorman NV. They’ll see if they can hold down the top seed behind kill leader and junior outside Abigail Paulson. Also playing keys roles are outside Angelina Sayles, senior setter Camdyn Carpenter, junior setter Hannah Pemberton and senior libero Mia Arambula.
Del Norte – The Nighthawks have beaten teams like Torrey Pines and La Costa Canyon this season and certainly have what it takes to finish on top here. Defenses need to be aware of senior outside Jillian Neal at all times.
Kamehameha/Hawaii HI – The Warriors make the trip back to the mainland after competing at the Durango Fall Classic weeks ago. Among those making key contributions are senior libero Leisey Kelii, junior outside Maela Honma and senior outside Sarah Schubert.
Eastlake – The Titans will look to make noise this weekend and turn a few heads. They did lose a non-league contest against Kamehameha earlier in the week. Senior right side Bianca Merloti, senior libero Avery Banaag and junior outside Lily Stewart all do their parts in helping the team find ways to win.
Perry AZ – The Pumas have played a tough schedule, seeing a lot of the best schools in Arizona. Can they find success out-of-state? Senior outside Avery Burks, senior outside Amy Whalin and sophomore middle Kenna Cogill are the main threats on offense.
Westview – The tournament hosts will look to write a winning script and pull off surprises along the way. Senior outside Ella Alibegovic and junior libero Makenna Roberts are integral parts of the lineup.
JSerra – The Lions play a tough enough schedule and won’t back down from anyone. There’s lots to like on this roster, including junior setter Delaney Hughes, freshman setter Sara Moynihan, junior middle Tatum Johnson, freshman outside Charlotte Nowack and sophomore right side Ruby Hill.
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MORE PLAYERS TO WATCH
Madison Triplett JR OH El Capitan
Madelyn Wutske SO OH El Capitan
Isabella Christensen SR OH Lake Stevens WA
Laura Eichert FR OH Lake Stevens WA
Katelyn Eichert JR S Lake Stevens WA
Fallyn Blotzer SO OH Santiago
Maylynn Mitchell SO OH Santiago
Hannah Guzzetti SR MB Santiago
Jannah Jonick SO MB Rancho Bernardo
Natalie Ratkiewicz SO OH Rancho Bernardo
Kiki Remensperger JR S Poway
