With the older age groups all wrapped up, we shift our attentions to the 14s and 15s. Those two age groups kicked off their four-day stretch at USAV nationals in Las Vegas on Monday. The high stakes led to stellar competition from first serve. Below, we highlight those players who caught our attention the most with our daily Show Stoppers.
DAY 1 SHOW STOPPERS
Sitoafa Tausinga OH Club V 15 Ren Kalee: A 3-star recruit, Tausinga had a big day. We saw her in two of her three matches and both times she was delivering regularly. She has a very strong arm and caught more than a few balls to score in impressive fashion.
Sasha Cromer S KC Power 15 Black: Cromer – a 3-star recruit – did a fine job distributing the ball. She spreads it around and does a good job holding blockers.
Gabbie Skopljak MB Madfrog 15 Black: A 6-foot middle who touches 10 feet, Skopljak is a real threat in the middle. She was giving her side a scoring option and finding ways to put the ball down.
Maia Raleigh S Madfrog 15 Black: Raleigh showed a nice touch and consistent location. She was putting up a hittable ball and also playing sound defense.
Marlee Steiner MB HPSTL 15 Royal: A 6-3 middle touching over 10 feet, Steiner is a game-changer in the front row. The 3-star’s length makes her a factor on both sides of the ball. She has no issues extending up and swinging over the block.
Ella Horvick L/DS OT 15 Randy: A 3-star defender, Horvick was passing on target out of serve receive. Her also covered well at the.
Stella Wishon OH OK Charge 15 UA: Wishon, a 6-2 outside, hits a heavy ball. She’s a key component on offense and did well carrying her share of the responsibility.
Eva Jeffries OH City 15 Gold: Jeffries, a 3-star recruit, has tremendous potential. At 6-2, she was able to go right over the block and hit straight down. She has a fluid swing and hits from a high contact point.
Piper Chylinsky S City 15 Gold: Chylinsky is another one to keep a watch out for. The 4-star recruit is 6-3 and does a great job directing the attack. She has soft hands and with her size she’s a real presence at the net.
Ryah Brock OH Forza1 North 15 One: Brock – a 4-star, 5-11 outside – is the go-to arm in the lineup. She’s a springy attacker with a lively arm. With it, she can really get after it at times.
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Shaye Witherspoon OH Rockwood Thunder 15 Elite: A 6-3, 5-star outside, Witherspoon is a massive offensive weapon. She has a big-time arm and with her size can overpower defenses with her thunderous kills.
Taylor Harrington MB Paramount 15 Nick: A 6-2 middle touching over 10 feet, Harrington is a difference maker. She moves very well laterally and it helps her put up a huge block. The 5-star recruit also has a very good arm and does plenty of damage offensively.
Janiah Burrage OH Forza1 15 One: Burrage is a 5-star recruit from the Class of 2028. She’s an athletic outside with a solid arm. Her explosiveness makes her tough to slow down and contain and gives Forza a terminal hitter.
Reagan Wallraff OH Premier Nebraska 15 Gold: A 6-0 outside touching 10 feet, Wallraff is a springy attacker with a whippy arm. The 4-star recruit is a vital part of the offense capable of unleashing in a flurry.
McKinley Moser S VCNebraska 15 Elite: Moser – a 4-star recruit – has excellent hands. She sets a clean ball and puts it on target regularly.
Marissa Jones S A5 15-1 Kelly: A 5-star setter, Jones was another standout setter who demonstrated next-level talent. She not only has the skill set, she also has the IQ. Those thing combined make her fun to watch as she dishes with ease and makes the position look effortless.
Mckenna McIntosh OH Vision 15 Gold: A 6-1 outside touching over 10 feet, McIntosh is six-rotation mainstay who does a lot for Vision. The 3-star recruit is a scoring threat front and back row. She has a strong arm and was sending shots down from sideline to sideline.
Evie Igbenebor MB PVA 15 Elite: A 3-star recruit, Igbenebor was having huge moments when we caught her in action. She’s a quick middle who moves very well. She gets up in a hurry and has a good arm to match.
Cedra Talaga L/DS Mizuno Long Beach 15 Rockstar: Talaga – a 4-star defender – is a fiery libero who brings a defensive edge to the lineup. She reads and reacts well and is able to cover a lot of court.
Samantha Shultz L/DS MAVS KC 14-1: Shultz is a solid passer out of serve receive and does well with her first-ball contacts. She was putting the ball on target consistently.
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Alexandrea Brasel DS MAVS KC 14-1: Brasel is another backrow player for MAVS who showed up strong on defense. She too was passing on target and keeping rallies alive.
Carsyn Chitty L/DS Mintonette Sports m.41: Chitty – a 4-star defender – is a sparkplug in the back row. She brings a lot of energy to the position. She hustles around the court and goes all out in pursuit of the ball.
Tristen Hamilton OH Ozark Jrs 14 Elite: Ozark started off 2-1 and part of the reason is the contributions of Hamilton. She’s a bit undersized on the pin but she jumps well. She’s a relentless attacker who doesn’t back down.
Baylee Wilson OH Coast 14-1: Wilson, a standout beach player and member of the Class of 2029, is a heady attacker. She scores in a multitude of ways. She also has a really good arm and does well extending and connecting at the high point.
Lucy Waleskowski S/OH NKYVC 14-1 Tsunami: It’s hard to believe Waleskowski is part of the Class of 2029. She plays well above the typical seventh-grader. She has the length to make a real impact at the net. She’s a smart hitter who knows when to load up and when to go off speed. She’s also an above average setter with a really nice touch and ability to dish it from pin to pin.
Allison Charvat MB SG Elite 14 Rosh: Charvat helped SG Elite go 3-0 on the opening day. Her presence in the middle definitely made a difference. She’s a legit scoring option and someone defenses need to track. She has a solid arm and connected well at times.
Abby Moffett S/RS Tstreet 14-Tara: A 3-star recruit and beach player, Moffett’s versatility makes her a glue piece in the lineup. She’s a solid setter who does well getting to the ball and delivering. She’s also a crafty hitter who can frustrate opponents with her shot variety.
Addison Musgrove S Hou Skyline 14 Royal: Musgrove – a 3-star recruit – was guiding the offense and delivering the ball to all her hitters. She’s consistent with her location and puts up a clean ball.
Brooke Brumley L/DS Absolute 14 Black: Brumley held it down in her role patrolling the back row. She made couple huge saves on hard-driven balls to keep the ball alive.
Carolina Delaney OH Absolute 14 Black: Like Brumely, Delaney has beach experience and it shows in her play. The 6-2, 3-star outside can beat defenses in different ways. She can reach up and crush over the block at times.
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Leah Stickney OH A5 14-1 Helen: A 3-star recruit, Stickney is an all-around contributor. She passes and plays sound defense. She’s also a heady hitter who can beat defenses with all the shots from hard-hit balls to cuts and roll shots.
Elsa St. Rose MB HJV 14 Elite: St. Rose – a 3-star middle – is tough to contain on the attacks. She’s fast and gets off the ground very well. Combined with her quick swing she can light defenses up.
Ana Woods RS Metro 14 Travel: A 6-0 right side, Woods showed herself to be a reliable option. She has a sound arm and hits hard. She was coming through for Metro when called upon.
Sloane Rattay OH OP2 14-1 Elite: A 3-star outside, Rattay was bringing the heat. She has a strong arm and was blasting winners.
Mya Lee KC Power 14 Black: Lee was another outside giving her team a boost offensively. She was taking aggressive swings and producing loud winners to spark her side.
Brooke Oney OH Alamo 14 Premier: Oney – a 3-star recruit – is a physical presence. She possesses a powerful arm and hits a heavy ball. She’s one of the go-to hitters and provides a lot of offense for Alamo.
Taylor Johnson OH Skyline 14 Royal: A 3-star outside, Johnson is a wirey outside and was lighting it up at times. She’s a quick jumper with a fast swing and was blitzing opponents with it.
Sloane Lynyak OH 14 National NYC Juniors: Lynyak was a consistent and reliable outside attacker, frequently set by her setter. She quickly got off the net after blocking to load her approach. Lynyak utilized a variety of off-speed shots to find open spaces, and when the timing was right, she stayed aggressive with her swings. She also made numerous coverage digs in the front row against LEVBC U14 National.
Sesha Subramanian L/DS NYC Juniors 14 National: Subramanian is a true team player on the court, always showing support to her teammates. Her consistent platform on serve receive set up the offense for success, and she seamlessly stepped in for the setter, making some amazing sets at the net for her hitters in the game against LEVBC U14 National.
Vannah Okebata MB L/DS NYC Juniors 14 National: Okebata made crucial blocks in the first set against LEVBC U14 National, both in the middle and on the pin. She demonstrated a keen eye for reading the opposing team’s offense and quick lateral movements along the net to successfully make these plays happen.
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Kendall Hubbard S/RS Elevation 15 Tony: Hubbard showcased a fast and even release when setting, perfectly synchronized with her attackers. Her fluid rhythm and mental toughness were on full display as she stayed in game mode against HPSTL 15 Orange. Additionally, she has a strong back swing that helps her elevate, allowing her to get on top of the ball with a fast snap on the right side, scoring points for her team.
Ali Strange L Elevation 15 Tony: Strange had an incredible opening set. Right from the start, she was passing dimes and consistently getting to the ball. Her unmatched hustle on the court, combined with her leadership, was evident. Ali effortlessly made hard-driven cross-court digs and executed intense hustle plays, diving to set her team up for success against HPSTL 15 Orange. Her performance was a standout, showcasing the kind of thrilling athleticism that makes her a player to watch.
Savanna Stacey OH Elevation 15 Tony: Against HPSTL 15 Orange, Stacey demonstrated excellent ball control in the backcourt, making beautiful passes on serve receive and delivering crucial saves to keep the play alive. She seamlessly transitioned to the outside, making powerful swings that helped lead her team.
Karsynn Tucker S AJV 15 Royal: Tucker excels at setting tight balls on the net and is very aggressive with overpasses when blocking. She effectively utilizes all her players’ strengths, showcasing her leadership in the match against SG Elite 15 Roshambo.
Shelby Smith RS AJV 15 Royal: Smith is a fearless competitor who exudes confidence in her offense. She has a fast arm swing that powers through the openings in the block, hitting sharp angles against SG Elite 15 Roshambo. She also made heads turn on the left side with a crushing kill down the line that left defenders with no chance to dig it.
Allie Breitling OH Vegas Aces 15 Under Armour: Breitling played a crucial role in her team’s dominant victory over Revolution PGH 15 White. She excels at taking aggressive swings off the net during out-of-system plays, consistently finding openings on the court. A dynamic player, she moves exceptionally well with precise footwork. Additionally, she made key blocks against their right-side player, tracking the ball effectively and pressing over the net.
Isabelle Guerzon L Vegas Aces 15 Under Armour: Guerzon played with calm and consistency, controlling the momentum of the plays on her side. Her excellent ball control made her a key player in their win against Revolution PGH 15 White. Her skill in handling challenging serves showcased her significant impact on the court.
Cora Seabold S Sunshine 15 Pacific: Seabold leverages her leg power and maintains a steady athletic stance throughout the game. She excels in setting precise balls to the pins, effectively distributing plays off the net. Her ability to hold her finish showcases her technical prowess on the court against 808 Athletic Club 15 BLUE.
Samantha Nugent OH Sunshine 15 Pacific: Nugent displays exceptional court awareness and a deep understanding of her position, consistently anticipating the game’s flow. Her tactical maneuvers in the first set against 808 Athletic Club 15 BLUE highlighted her skill in exploiting the opponent’s blockers, frequently using them to score points. With her quick decision-making, rapid arm swing, and powerful snap, she efficiently finishes plays, cementing her as a pivotal player in the match.
Rylee Jewell L/DS NKYVC 15-1 Tsunami: Jewell, playing as a defensive specialist (DS), exhibited remarkable ball control and superb digging abilities during the match against A5 15-2 Victor. She maintains a steady platform without unnecessary arm movement, which helps her dig more efficiently and keeps her forearms absorbing some of the heat. She adeptly covers the seam between players and takes charge, showing a clear grasp of her responsibilities on the court.
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Teagan Kondik OH/OPP NKYVC 15-1 Tsunami: Kondik’s agility was on full display with an incredible one-handed save followed by a powerful dig in position 6 during a crucial play. Her solid split-step technique on serve receive ensures she maintains balance and gets to the ball effectively. Transitioning seamlessly to the front row, she unleashed powerful attacks on the A5-15-2 Victor defense, expertly finding gaps and hitting with precision in the center of the court.
Keely DePauw DS/L Fieldhouse 15 Ikaika Andy: DePauw excels at getting behind and under the ball to bring it up and forward, maintaining her angle to the target, setting her team up for offensive success against Club One AZ 15Platinum. Her solid base allows her setter to have numerous offensive options.
Grace Hoover S Fieldhouse 15 Ikaika Andy: Hoover effectively varied her offensive plays against Club One AZ 15Platinum in a tight match, maintaining composure under pressure. She also established a strong block on the right side, securing a key block at the end of the first set. Hoover smoothly shifts her weight from left to right, opting against the bump set to follow through to the outside.
Bella Kaldor S Milwaukee Sting 15 White: Kaldor made some high-level digs in the backcourt against MDJRS 15 Elite Black. When her team was struggling, she effectively switched up plays to keep the momentum going. Her consistency, positive attitude, and effort were key throughout the game.
Lauren Nethery OH/RS Milwaukee Sting 15 White: Nethery showcases her strength on the pin by consistently overpowering blocks with her powerful swings. She attacks with confidence, demonstrating her offensive prowess. Additionally, Nethery excels in putting up a solid block on the right side against MDJRS 15 Elite Black establishing herself as an intimidating presence at the net.
Kendyl Yanagi L TStreet 15 Chad: Yanagi excels in serve receive, passing with exceptional accuracy. Her jump float serve is also a valuable asset. She played a crucial role in her team’s success against Texas United 15Red, consistently digging and passing with precision to set up successful plays. She brings a high level of energy to the court, motivating her teammates and adding intensity to their game.
Aaliyah Jones MB TStreet 15 Chad: Jones set the tone for her team with numerous powerful kills from the middle, scoring points against Texas United 15Red. She fully opens her chest to her setter, using her core to generate power and find various angles on the court. Her presence at the net is dominating, as she effectively closes her blocks, shuts down hitters, and limits their options, significantly bolstering the team’s defense.
Ailanni Sellers S OTVA 15 J Will: Sellers skillfully recognizes patterns in MVP 15 Red’s defense, exploiting their weaknesses and adjusting her offensive strategy to disrupt their play. She communicates effectively with her hitters, demonstrating strong leadership on the court. Anticipating the pass correctly, she gets her feet to the ball to maximize her options. Her efforts were pivotal in securing the win for her team.
Lillian Keeley MB OTVA 15 J Will: Keeley is a savvy middle player, skilled at reading the game and knowing when to unleash her powerful attack or opt for an off-speed shot to score effectively. Her unpredictability, coupled with a strong setter-hitter connection with Sellers, makes her a challenging opponent to read in the game against MVP 15 Red.
Melody Coleman OH Houston Skyline 15 Black: Coleman started the game against Rev 15-2 Panthers with a powerful kill, dominating the blocks with her reach and hitting a sharp angle on the 10-foot line. She plays with high energy, uplifting and supporting her teammates after every small win throughout the match.
