Throw predictability to the wind. There was no way of calling shots as the 14s and 15s divisions reached their pinnacles Thursday at the USAV GJNC in Indy. The unpredictable and unbelievable conclusions to those divisions was something remarkable to witness.
The lone at-large team in 15 Open in Alamo 15 Premier caught a wave and didn’t stop riding it until the championship trophy and gold medal were in hand. It was one of the more memorable performances in a very long time, as Alamo knocked off top-seeded Arizona Storm 15 Thunder in the final. In 14 Open, Mintonette Sports m.41 dug the deepest and wasn’t going to be denied the top spot on the podium. The Ohio club capped its storybook day by downing Flyers 14 Anthony in the championship match.
We’ll have separate articles on both winners, as well as recaps on other division winners in the next day or two. For now, we present our final Show Stoppers from the two divisions featuring the players who stood out the most on Day 4.
Kylie Parker, OH, SG Elite 14 Rosh – Parker helped anchor an unbelievable run to the 14 Open semis. Her fierce attacking, stringent defense and accurate passing were all on display during the team’s final-day effort.
Aberdeen Callaway, OH, SG Elite 14 Rosh – Also a six-rotation outside, Callaway was a key piece in the offensive puzzle. She’s a smart attacker who doesn’t do too much and can use tip and tools as part of her arsenal.
Kathleen Hollingsworth, MB, SG Elite 14 Rosh – Hollingsworth isn’t a flashy middle and that’s fine. She doesn’t need to be to be effective. She has a good scoring knack and a tendancy to deliver timely blocks.
Layla Austin, OH, Madfrog 14 Green – Austin has a lively arm and can bring real heat with her swings. She puts tons of pressure on defenses to make plays and slow her down.
Paisley Pavliska, OH, Alamo 14 Premier – One of Alamo’s most consistent point scorers, Pavliska has a variety of shots she uses to keep the defense off guard.
Rayna Christianson, S/RS, Northern Lights 14-1 – Christianson has tremendous upside and potential in her 6-2 frame. She has a strong, consistent delivery as a setter. And with her height, she can easily go over blockers and is a scoring threat all across the front row.
Karys Campos, L, Actyve 14 Black – Campos was on fire defensively when we caught her. She was diming every attack and serve coming her way, not to mention she was covering tips and touches with ease too.
Addison Haberthy, S, Circle City 14 Purple – Haberthy does a solid job at the setting position. She has nice hands, sets a clean ball and doesn’t miss her window very often.
Skylar Jackson, OH, Flyers 14 Anthony – A six-rotation mainstay in the lineup, Jackson is a key contributor toward Flyers’ success. She’s active in the back row and is a reliable scorer in the front.
Keoni Williams, MB, Flyers 14 Anthony – You’ll be hearing Williams’ name for years to come. At 6-3, she’s a serious presence in the middle. At this age group, she’s virtually impossible to stop when the set is there and she’s able to get extended.
Hannah Lee, MB, Flyers 14 Anthony – Lee is a high-octane middle who never lets up. She runs an effective slide and possesses a strong arm that generate plenty of pop.
Layla Hoying, OH, Mintonette m.41 – An all-around contributor, Hoying did her part as Mintonette brought home the 14 Open gold medal. She’s a strong attacker with a nice arm who is adept at finding gaps and seams.
Sara Snowbarger, OH, Mintonette m.41 – Snowbarger gives Mintonette one of the most formidable 1-2 punches on the left in the division. She has a nice extension and does well tooling blockers.
Emma Cugino, L, Mintonette m.41 – Cugino was off the charts good as Mintonette chased gold on Day 4. She was picking up cross court shots at left back with her eyes closed.
Mallory Matheny, S, Mintonette m.41 – Matheny is in command of the offense. She has a nice touch and can be tough to read when in system. It allows her to get all her hitters involved and get them good looks as well.
Ella Grimes, L, Elevation 14 Molly – Grimes was a defensive stalwart in anchoring the back row. She was consistently on point in serve receive and made scrappy plays to keep rallies going.
Makenna Kirlin, S, Elevation 14 Molly – Kirlin is steady and has a great demeanor for a setter. She has a soft touch and puts up a very hittable ball with consistent location.
Danielle Whitmire, S/RS, TAV 14 Black – A two-way contributor, Whitmire flashed her future potential as a star. She’s a terrific setter with a great touch and strong accuracy. With her height, she’s also a capable scorer and helps spread out the attack being a threat on the right side.
Mandy Lawson, L, Rockwood Thunder 15 Elite – Lawson was doing a solid job defending and providing her team defensive support. She was passing well out of serve receive too.
Erika Sayer, MB, Co Jrs 15 Shannon – Defenses have to pay attention and mark Sayer – a three-star star recruit. She’s a wonderful offensive option who can run the slide effectively and deliver big kills with her powerful arm.
Alyssa Aguayo, OH, Aspire 15 Premier – A lanky outside, Aguayo is a three-star recruit who carries a big load on offense. She has a great arm and hits with plenty of pace.
BreAnna McMillan, S/RS, Triangle 15 Black – McMillan is a dangerous attacker. She can get up and absolutely unleash with authority.
Emma Koceja, OH, MKE Sting 15 Gold – A three-star recruit, Koceja is a six-rotation outside who Sting relies on to provide an offensive punch. She’s capable of hammering impressive kills when she catches one.
Megan Fitch, OH, Alamo 15 Premier – Fitch was named MVP of 15 Open as Alamo captured the gold medal. She was nearly unstoppable all day. A five-star recruit, she’s long, can hit over blocks or blow them up. Either way, she’s more than a handful.
Aniya Hall, MB, Alamo 15 Premier – A three-star recruit, Hall is an explosive middle who is quick off one foot. She gets up fast and is able to unleash before the block is fully formed.
Mya Allen, OH, Alamo 15 Premier – When Allen is on, Alamo is difficult to handle. She gets up well, has a good swing and was providing consistent offense.
Kaia Thiele, S/RS, Alamo 15 Premier – Thiele plays a valuable role as a setter and hitter. She has a nice release and is able to hit her marks with regularity.
Teraya Sigler, OH, Arizona Storm 15 Thunder – Even though Alamo did a good job slowing Sigler down in the championship match, Storm wouldn’t have made it that far without the five-star recruit and all she brings to the court, from her big, powerful arm to her passing and defending.
Izzy Mahaffey, L, Arizona Storm 15 Thunder – A three-star recruit, Mahaffey was her stellar self on the final day. She’s excellent out of serve receive and covers and reads well too.
Kenna Cogill, MB, Arizona Storm 15 Thunder – Cogill – a three-star recruit – is always a threat in the middle. She’s long and can hit straight down at times. She also provides a big block to help slow down attacks.
Hannah Beauford, S, Drive Nation 15 Red – Beauford – a three-star recruit – did a fine job directing the offense. She was able to get her hitters involved and get them good looks on the regular.
Keirstyn Carlton, MB, Drive Nation 15 Red – Carlton is another three-star recruit in the Drive Nation lineup. She was providing reliable offense and was always a threat when in system. She’s also able to get out on the slide and come out defenses like that.
Lauryn Mack, OH, Drive Nation 15 Red – Mack on the attack spells trouble for defenses. She can bring a combo of power and heat and is capable of carrying the load at times.
Sarah Mendoza, L, Drive Nation 15 Red – A four-star recruit, Mendoza did a great job owning the back row and picking off cross court shots coming her way.
