Utility Players from 15/16 Open Division – NYC Tournament
These players stood out from the rest at the New Year’s Classic Tournament in Wesley Chapel, FL. Utility players are the ones you can count on in a pinch, and the type of player a coach can put in nearly…
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Continue ReadingThese players stood out from the rest at the New Year’s Classic Tournament in Wesley Chapel, FL. Utility players are the ones you can count on in a pinch, and the type of player a coach can put in nearly any position and they will excel. Since this division was mostly composed of the Class of 2023 and 2024, it is easy to say that players showing this kind of range in skill will only improve and that range will help them as they develop in the coming years.
Ava Landmeyer is a defensive specialist and setter on Pinellas Heat’s 15 Elite team. Despite being 5’5” and only a freshman, Ava is a player that hustles to every ball on the court. She has experience playing as a defender in the back row and as the offensive coordinator as a setter. This past season Ava played on Palm Harbor University’s Varsity team as a defensive specialist. In 19 sets, she completed 13 digs and 16 serve receptions.
Angalina DiNofa and Alyson Francolini are both Sophomores on the Venetian Bay 16-1 Marquise team. The pair are not only teammates for Venetian Bay, but also are beach volleyball partners. They move seamlessly together on the court whether on sand or indoor and display a range of skills. Angalina DiNofa has experience in the setter, libero, and defensive specialist positions. While Alyson Francolini has experience playing outside and right-side hitter and defensive specialist positions. Both players have excellent form when moving on the court and display the ability to play anywhere on the court successfully.
Lizzy Ekechi is a 5’5” right side and outside hitter on Club Steel 15 Navy. Lizzy is the definition of a utility player. Although she played mostly in the pin hitter position for her high school and club teams, coaches agree she could succeed in any position on the court. Lizzy played in 31 sets on Wesley Chapel High School’s Varsity team this past season as a freshman and scored 16 kills.
Brooke Ashkenase is a 5’3” libero and setter for Club Steel 15 Navy. Although she is playing in the setter position now successfully, Brooke shines in the back row defensive. She is an amazing passer with low, neat form and moves seamlessly to the ball whether it is a hard-driven attack or a top-spin serve. As a freshman this season, Brooke was the starting libero for Wesley Chapel’s Varsity team. In 68 sets she completed 233 digs and 244 serve receptions. Overall, she shows confidence in her game and she exudes the talent of more experienced, older players.