One of the next-up divisions in the madness that is the USAV Girls Junior National Championships in Chicago is 16s. It kicked off Monday with the opening round of pool play, with the championship match set for July 6. With very little margin for error, the athletes came ready to compete and fight. Below, we highlight our Day 1 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 1 ALL RED HAT TEAM
Hannah Leftridge OH HPSTL 16 Royal: Leftridge is a perfect fit for the All Red Hat Team. Always among are favorites players are outsides who may be a bit undersized but have heart and determination to make it happen regardless. That’s Leftridge, who is a six-rotation outside who passes well out of serve receive and is a heady attacker who knows how to score with a variety of shots. And she just keeps coming at you.
Anna Jelinek OH Nebraska One 16 Synergy: Truthfully, we were pondering putting the entire Nebraska One team on the All Red Hat Team because they all personify exactly what we are looking for. We selected Jelinek because she too is a bit undersized but a tremendous player who passes, defends and scores well.
Bayleigh Minor MB Hou Skyline 16 Royal: We try not to focus on 5-star recruits but it was impossible to ignore Minor’s play and contributions in the middle. She hit an outright indefensible shot that left spectators in awe as she went straight up then straight down with the ball at the 10-foot line. Few players can get up and hit directly over the block and still bounce balls like that!
Olivia Wayne MB Madfrog 16 Green: Wayne was strong in the middle during while we were watching. She was getting out on the slide and scoring effectively and providing a real threat. She’s a solid blocker too and brings fire to the position.
Taryn Morris RS Drive Nation 16 Red: Morris was a big-time scorer during our time observing. Drive Nation was in system and feeding her the ball. She rewarded her team by blasting balls down and off blocks with authority.
Isabela Haggard S/RS Adidas KiVA 16 Red: Haggard brings her passion, competitiveness and will to win to the floor. She’s a bit undersized but she’s a tough cover on the right side when she’s coming at defenders. She’s absolutely fearless and can really connect when she catches one. She’s also a solid setter who has a nice touch and locates consistently.
Annabelle Groomes S/RS AVC Cle 16 Red: Groomes – a 5-star San Diego commit – is among the most versatile players we have witnessed all season. Not all of that was on display on Day 1, as she was in her typical role of setting and hitting. But we have seen her play outside and pass out of serve receive at times, so she can do it all. She’s a high-caliber setter with great hands and accuracy. She also is a strong hitter capable of unloading huge kills.
Charlotte Glass S Tribe 16 Elite Cardinal: Glass – a 5-star recruit – is a smooth-dishing setter who plays under control and does a great job directing the attack. She too has a great touch and release and she’s rarely off with her location.
Rya Borer L Premier Nebraska 16 Gold: Borer is a feisty libero who leaves is it all on the court with her flat-out hustle. She’s solid on first ball contact too and plays tons of energy and emotion.
McKenna Garr L Northern Lights 16-1: We love the way Garr takes care of the back row. She’s a steady libero who is a money-passer and defender. She does a fine job of picking up cross court shots and covering tips.
