The Future is Here
When you look at the landscape of club and school volleyball, the largest age group is by far the fourteens age group consisting of middle school players. It is the driving force behind the juggernaut that is club volleyball. This…
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Continue ReadingWhen you look at the landscape of club and school volleyball, the largest age group is by far the fourteens age group consisting of middle school players. It is the driving force behind the juggernaut that is club volleyball. This is when players truly develop their love of the game. Then something happens. Players get tested once they jump into the 15’s or freshman age group. The numbers start to dwindle a little due to some not making their high school teams during their freshman tryouts. The 15’s year is a very crucial year that makes or breaks athletes. Players grow over the summer both in height and in skill. It gets VERY competitive and some don’t know how to handle the competition. This article is about the 2023 class and I’d like to highlight the freshmen who are playing like varsity players already. This class is LOADED with talent. I’m going to start with a club who is no stranger to the scene.
Central Texas volleyball club Alamo Volleyball Association is no stranger to talent. However, the Alamo 15s age group is loaded with talent. They have a few teams who have it all. Most 15’s teams across the country have one or two key players who carry the team to victory. On these teams, any one of these players I am about to write about can lead this team to victory. There are twelve players on this team but I will only pick a few to write about in this volume. Future articles will have the rest in them.
Photo Credit: SportsRecruits – Alamo
Taylor Anderson Taylor Anderson 6'0" | S Cornerstone Christian | 2023 State #21 Nation TX [2023] 6-1 Setter/Hitter (HS: Warren/Club: Alamo)
Miss Anderson is currently ranked as our 6thbest prospect in our State Rankings and it shows in every aspect of her game. She is an all around player who sets and hits for her club team. She is a six foot one phenom who controls the game in different aspects. While blocking she shuts down opponents with her amazing press over the net. She seals it so well that her opponents do not have much of a chance to score. Coaches are already drooling over her size when it comes to setting. She is being looked at by some very big programs and whichever she decides to verbally commit to will be in heaven. She seriously has it all. Her ball control is spot on, she locates her sets extremely well across all tempos and her attacking skills are superb. This young lady is going to lead her team to greatness. We look forward to covering her for years to come.
Photo Credit: SportsRecruits – Alamo
Chi Chi Ozigbo [2023] 5-10 Middle/Outside (HS: Reagan/Club: Alamo)
Somebody call the cops because this young lady has a weapon on the court. She should have to obtain a license to carry with her arm swing. Its very fun to watch her swing. Her approach is a normal one and then she unleashes a bomb to her opponents. At the peak of her approach, it is so refreshing to watch her contact the ball so high. Her opponents don’t stand a chance. What makes her dangerous is her hang time in the air. Don’t make the mistake of jumping at the same time as her at the net, because if you do, she will be contacting while you are on your way down. She is a deadly weapon for this her 15 Premier team who can hit the ball at all three tempos in every position at the net. When the rankings get updated in June, expect to see her name often.
Photo Credit: SportsRecruits – Alamo
Karynn Garrow [2023] 6-0 Right Side (HS: Geneva School of Boerne/Club: Alamo)
This kid scores at an alarming rate on each pin by hitting line. If her opponent decides to try to take away the hard cross shot, they better have a division one libero covering the line, because she will paint it with the ball with authority. She is an all around player who regularly plays in the back row also. Her length is a bonus when it comes to her defensive range. She isn’t scared of anything. She does whatever it takes for her team to win. Her ceiling for growth in the game is so high. We can’t wait to watch what comes next for her. Keep you eye on this young lady as she is definitely one to watch. When the rankings get updated in June, Miss Garrow will be included.
Photo Credit: SportsRecruits – Alamo
Emma Halstead [2023] 6-0 Outside/Middle (HS: Brandeis/Club: Alamo)
She is a lengthy hitter who can play multiple positions. It is nice to see someone play with as much passion as she does on the court. It is very infectious and makes me want to jump out on the court just watching her celebrate. She has great body control when swinging on the left. Just when you think she is taking a hard cross-court straight in approach, she is able to torque her upper body and hit line so easily. That is a skill that usually takes time to perfect, but this young lady does it so well at such a young age. That kind of deception when attacking will keep her dangerous for years to come. She is also a kid who isn’t scared to get a little dirty in the back row and can dig with the best of them. I am very excited to cover her for the next few years. Currently unranked in our state rankings but will be there soon.
Photo Credit: SportsRecruits – Alamo
Alyssa Manitzas [2023] 5-1 Libero (HS: Reagan/Club: Alamo)
This young lady is the heart of the team. She is the reason they can play with any team in the nation. Her serve receive passing form is picturesque and keeps her team in system and deadly with their strong attackers. The key to her ability lies in her core strength. You can see it in action as she is in total control of both her lower and upper body before and during contact. However my favorite part of her game has to do with her feet. She has so much balance on each contact. I would use her body control and footwork in any demonstration for a camp or clinic. She plays the game calmly and never seems to get rattled. Hitters usually get all of the “oohs and aahs” but any true coach would love to watch this young lady be a show stopper. College coaches please take notice of this phenom. When the rankings get updated in June, she will be one of the top liberos mentioned.
There are many more articles to come about this particular age group and this club. Stay tuned for the next installment, as there are many players to watch out for.
If you know of any other players or clubs that we need to cover, please email me at nov8vb@yahoo.com