Adidas Bluegrass Tournament – Standout Pin Hitters in 16 Premier
The Bluegrass state got to experience some stellar volleyball this past weekend at the annual Adidas tournament hosted by club team KIVA. Great teams were able to travel from all across the country to play and compete at this tournament.…
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Continue ReadingThe Bluegrass state got to experience some stellar volleyball this past weekend at the annual Adidas tournament hosted by club team KIVA. Great teams were able to travel from all across the country to play and compete at this tournament. The 16 Premier division is always fun to watch and see athletes who might not make your radar, but definitely should be on your watchlist. Here are some top athletes to keep an eye on as this club season ensues!
Katie Poynter Katie Poynter 5'8" | OH Mercy | 2023 State KY KATIEPOYNTEROHMercy | 2023#33STATEKY – This local standout from Mercy High School is a 5’7 outside hitter. Poynter plays for club team Union and provides a little bit of everything for her team. She plays with a high volleyball IQ and is able to find the open court consistently. Watching her play this weekend, she has a great high line swing to zone 1 that is hard to defend against.
Ihunayachi “Naya” Ohuabunwa – Stands at 6 feet and is an opposite for A5 16-Marc. This dynamic lefty can jump out of the gym and maintains a high contact point when hitting the ball. She rarely gets blocks due to her athleticism and shot choice. Ohuabunwa is an athlete you should be keeping an eye on out of Georgia. She finds her kills mostly in the deep corner and moving the ball around through the seams in the block.
Alyssa Furlong – Furlong is another Louisville native who attends Sacred Heart High School. This 5’10 opposite on KIVA’s 16 White caught my eye this weekend. Stacked at the right side, she puts up an intimidating block. She is able to slow down opposing outside hitters who try to get away with low swings through the seam. Her variety of shot choice is what stood out to me. Not only does she have a gnarly thumbs-down line swing, but Furlong is also able to cut the ball across her body sharp to zone 1 and 2.
Savannah Gee – This outside hitter is from Nashville, Tennessee, and plays for Alliance 16 Molten. Gee is a six-rotation athlete and is able to provide for her team in all facets of the game. Standing at 5’8 she is able to move the ball around when going up to swing. Gee also plays great off-blocker defense and is scrappy in middle-back.
Reece Rhoads – Rhoads is a 5’10 outside hitter for A5 16-Marc. This player is a spark plug for her team and is able to take good cracks at the ball even when out-of-system. Rhoads doesn’t always need the perfect set to put the ball away and keeps her elbow high even when off the net. She has great wrist/ball control and is quick off the ground with her last two steps.
Allison Daves – Daves plays for the Academy’s 16E Phoenix team as a starting opposite. Standing at 5’9, she is her teams’ go-to-hitter when they need a kill. This dynamic lefty is a leader on the court and shows it by example. When attacking on the right side she is able to cut the ball sharp away from the defender.
Hannah Grille – This athlete is a 5’7 outside hitter from Pendelton High School who plays for Munciana 16 Banana Slugs. From watching her play this weekend, Grile showed her knowledge of the game. She has great vision when going up to swing and is able to place the ball exactly where she wants. She’s able to turn the ball down the line and also isn’t afraid to use the tip when defenders are caught on their heels.
Madison Franzel – Franzel is a 5’9 outside hitter who plays for Mintonette Sport’s m.62 team. This all-around, six rotation athlete helped her team place 3rd overall in the 16 Premier division at Bluegrass. Franzel not only plays disciplined back-row defense, but she’s also able to beat the block when swinging on the left side. She has great elevation to the ball and snapping high to the deep corner when looking for kills.