The final gold medal quests of the season kicked off in the 16s and 17s as those divisions began play Friday at the USAV GJNC in Indy. With such a collection of talented teams, there was no easing into the four-day tournament. It was all business from the first serve. Below, we highlight our Day 1 Show Stoppers featuring players who caught our attention as we moved court to court.
Emma Parker, MB, Rockwood Thunder 16 Elite – Parker was giving Rockwood Thunder a reliable scoring presence. She was connecting on big kills on 1s and slides and helping to open up the attack.
Olivia Hasbrook, L, Rockwood Thunder 16 Elite – When challenged in serve receive, Hasbrook was rarely off target. She was putting her passes on targeting and doing well keeping RT in system.
Jillian Huckabey, RS, KC Power 16-1 – Huckabey can simply unload when she really connects with one. She had her share of authoritative kills that get on defenders in a hurry.
Elisabeth Levick, S, OJVA 16 Gold – Levick’s improved all season and continues to flash her upside. She has good hands and was hitting spots with regularity.
Mykayla McMillian, L, Hou Skyline 16 Royal – McMillian is quick and was flying around the court. She was doing well covering and chasing down errant passes.
Emilee Prochaska, L, Flyers 16 Prentice – Prochaska was making plenty of contributions. She was diming passes out of serve receive and was doing well covering tips and touches.
Hannah Benjamin, OH, A5 Mizuno 16 Gabe – Benjamin and her cannon for an arm were on full display. She gets up very well and has a fluid swing, which leads to impressive winners.
Abigail Mullen, RS, Dynasty 16 Black – A big presence on the right side, Mullen adds physicality across the front row. She has a powerful arm and is capable of pounding down resounding kills.
Favor Anyanwu, MB, TAV 16 Black – A physical middle, Anyanwu has a powerful arm. When the set is there, watch out as she crushes the ball with the best of them.
Faith Frame, L, Premier Nebraska 16 Gold – Frame does everything at a high level. She passes, defends, covers and has a great range.
Paityn Chapman, OH, Co Jrs 16 Sherri – Defenses have to keep tabs on Chapman. She’s a big, strong hitter who can over blocks or use her strength to blow them up.
Gia McGrew, OH, Gainesville 16 Black – It was a great start for Gainesville, which upset both Cirlce City and Wave. McGrew was showing off her big arm. She hits a heavy ball with plenty of pace, making her difficult to dig.
Madeline Stucky, S, Norco 16 Black – Stucky has great command of the offense. She sets a clean ball, goes behind her well and rarely misses her location.
Lilly Wagner, S, MKE Sting 16 Gold – Wagner was another setter we were impressed with. She showed a nice touch and an ability to move the ball around and get her various hitters involved on a consistent basis.
Maya Baker, S, Vision 16 Gold – Baker is a smooth setter with great poise. She runs the offense well, putting up a very hittable ball and getting her hitters good looks.
Avery Jackson, OH, Madfrog 16 Green – A six-rotation contributor, Jackson is the glue piece in the lineup. She passes, she defends and she scores all at a high level.
Akila Hardie, MB, CHAVC 17 Black – Hardie was running the slide effectively. When in system, defenses have to pay her attention as she gets up well and can make them pay.
Kamille Gibson, RS, TAV 17 Black – Defenses are in trouble when Gibson is able to set up and connect. She has a giant arm and can unload with power.
Kennedy Wagner, OH, 1st Alliance 17 Black – Wagner is a key part of the attack. She can score front and back row and has a wide variety of shots to keep defenses honest.
Symone Sims, L, Skyline 17 Royal – Sims is quick and was showcasing her speed as a defender. She can hustle down balls and help extend rallies well.
Brielle Kemavor, MB, Metro 17 Travel – Kemavor makes her presence known in the middle. She’s physical and strong. She causes problems on both sides with her scoring and blocking.
Sydney Lewis, L, OT 17 John – Lewis is sturdy defender. She’s solid out of serve receive, hit her mark consistently and doing well picking off big swings at times.
Calissa Minatee, MB, Dynasty 17 Black – When Minatee gets out on the slide, it feels like defenses are hopeless unless she misses the court altogether. She’s a major weapon who is quick with a really good arm.
Lauren Murphy, OH, AJV 17 Adidas – Murphy’s height is a big advantage. AJV looks to her to provide a lot of offense and runs different looks to get her involved in favorable matchups.
Reagan Barth, OH, MAVS KC 17-1 – Barth gives plenty to the lineup hitting and defending. She was making plays in the back row and showing off her smarts attacking with tips and tools.
Nayelis Cabello, S/RS, Top Select 17 Elite – Cabello plays a vital role as a setter and hitter. She has a nice touch and doesn’t miss her spots very often. She’s also a reliable scorer with a good arm to beat defenses with.
Destiny Ndam-Simpson, OH, Premier Nebraska 17 Gold – At times Ndam-Simpson was proving unstoppable. She can blast winners from the front or back row and carry the offense in stretches.
Olivia Mauch, L, Premier Nebraska 17 Gold – Mauch is a steadying presence and defensive anchor. She passes and defends at a high level and makes few errors.
