We are getting down to it in 14 Open at the USAV Girls Junior National Championships in Chicago. The third day of competition brought the second round of pool play plus challenge brackets. With spots in the quarterfinals ultimately on the line, the stakes were high and the action intense. Below, we present our Day 3 All Red Hat Team.
The goal is to highlight a daily team consisting of two players from each position – outside, middle, right side, setter and libero who – were our absolute favorite players of the day. Favorite doesn’t mean only a 5-star recruit or a familiar name. These are players who stood out to us for a variety of reasons, from amazing play to great energy or attitude or making key hustle plays. These are daily all-stars who really stood out the most to us for one reason or another.
DAY 3 ALL RED HAT TEAM
Allie Hudgins OH AP 14 Adidas: After a 5-0 run through pool, it was a rough Round 2 of pool play for AP, which went 0-2 and didn’t advance to the challenge rounds. Regardless, we were in awe of what Hudgins can do on the court. She’s a 6-2, next-level prospect who is built in the mold of AP’s 15 stud Henley Anderson. Hudgins can hit angles others can’t because of her high contact point. She also moves well. And typically players like her are easy serving targets, but teams do not attack her in serve receive repeatedly.
Landri Trice OH Drive Nation 14 Red: We couldn’t help but add Trice to the All Red Hat team with the way she was competing and willing her team to win. Drive Nation pulled out a tight three-setter against Forza1 North 14 One to make the gold bracket. Trice is a little undersized but is equipped with a cannon for an arm. When she gets a hold of it, watch out! She can bring the thunder for her size and it was impressive to watch her go all-out and produce the kills she was delivering.
Rylin Otto MB Tejas 14 Black: We have to give it up to Otto. If you walk the 14 Open courts you’ll notice the size and height of a few middles who look like they are already playing in college. Otto is an undersized middle who plays with a lot of spirit. You have to in order to hold up against bigger blockers, but she gives it her all. She’s quick, springy and swings very well and can provide points for her team.
Cynthia Ockerman MB Legacy 14-1 Adidas: Ockerman is a physical presence on both sides of the ball. She’s a hard hitter who can get out on the slide and boom balls down with power. She also puts up a solid block and does well getting touches.
Mia Diouf RS GP 14 Rox: Game Point gave it a go but came up short of the gold bracket. Diouf is a fun, athletic middle who delivers her share of highlight kills. Depending on what GP is doing, she can hit across the front row and check out or stay in and help the offense as a back row option. She has a strong arm and can drill winners.
Marley Robinson S/RS Forza1 North 14 One: Forza North had a tough, tough setback to Drive Nation and came up a victory short of making the gold bracket. Still, we loved what Robinson brings to the lineup. She’s another undersized player who is absolutely fearless and competes with every ounce she has. She doesn’t leave the court as a setter or hitter. She’s quick, gets to the ball and puts the ball in a nice window. As an attacker, she jumps well and is smart with her shot selection.
Kendall Hubbard S/RS Elevation 14 Molly: After a slow start to the opening round of pool play, Elevation picked up its play on Day 3 yet ran into a hot Club V 14 Ren Silver squad and came up one win shy of the gold bracket. Hubbard was a standout with her two-way play. She’s a solid setter who is consistent with her location. She’s also a strong attacker with a strong arm and contributes that way too.
Andie Bowron S Top Select 14 Elite: We saw a lot of Bowron in Orlando but didn’t see too much of her until Day 3 here. She’s a bit undersized but she’s a gamer with high IQ. She’s quick and athletic and does well getting her feet to the ball. She also has a nice, soft touch and doesn’t miss her spots too often.
Addison Thompson-Stepp L Legacy 14-1 Adidas: The way Thompson-Stepp gets after on the defensive end caught our eye. She’s energetic and is always hustling around trying to make plays and keep her team in the rally. She’s also a sound passer out of serve receive.
Pulelehua Laikona L Arizona Storm 14 Thunder: Laikona also brings a lot of energy to the libero position. She’s scrappy, passes well and can make highlight saves to keep the ball alive. She’s fast too, and can cover ground quickly.
