Mizuno Cross Court Classic: The Six-Foot Club
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There was a lot of volleyball in Houston this past weekend with the 2021 edition of the Mizuno Cross Court Classic taking place at the George R. Brown Convention Center from Saturday to Sunday. The tournament featured nearly 700 teams…
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Continue ReadingThere was a lot of volleyball in Houston this past weekend with the 2021 edition of the Mizuno Cross Court Classic taking place at the George R. Brown Convention Center from Saturday to Sunday.
The tournament featured nearly 700 teams and had divisions from the 11s to the 18s in an infrastructure that had volleyball going on in as many as 85 courts inside the building. We focused our coverage in the 15s, 16s and 17s Open division and will present the top performers during the week.
Volleyball is one of the most democratic sports out there and players with any set of skills and traits can play at a high level. Size still is, however, a very important tool in the game and these players have nothing to worry about in that regard.
Alex Bull – Middle-Blocker – W Revolution 16 Premier – HS: Oak Ridge – 2023
Alex Bull was one of the most dominant middle-blockers in the entire event and she was part of a strong Woodlands Revolution 16 Premier trio with outside hitter Brooke Bentke Brooke Bentke 6'2" | OH Brenham | 2023 State #112 Nation TX and setter Claire Dewine. The 6’2” middle-blocker showed a very strong game at the net, especially with an impressive blocking ability that included quick feet, great technique and a superior reading of the game. She was also really solid on her side out game and had good serving runs in at least two of the team’s matches over the weekend. Bull has a great all-around game that will for sure translate really well when she advances to the next stage of her career.
Olivia Thompson Olivia Thompson 6'3" | RS Friendswood | 2024 State TX / Isabella Thompson Isabella Thompson 6'2" | MB Friendswood | 2024 State TX – Opposite/Middle-Blocker – HOU Stellar 15 Premier – HS: Friendswood – 2024
The Thompson twins are among the most promising prospects in the entire state in the class of 2024 as both of them have great size and all tools and time to refine their games to the next level. Isabella is a 6’1” middle-blocker who ranks 31st at our 2024 Prep Dig State Rankings. She’s got a solid offensive game and is an excellent blocker. Her sister Olivia plays opposite and is 6’2” – she ranks 41st on our 2024 Prep Dig State Rankings. Olivia has a big block at the pin and has a very efficient angle shot from the right. Do not hesitate to call them “The Twin Towers” if you ever spot them together at the net for Houston Stellar or Friendswood high school.
The Class of 2024 is a special group at Stellar! The talent is deep and stacked! Loved seeing these girls in the gym today! 💙💛@Isabell15406470 @olivia04365712 pic.twitter.com/Z7wYnrmj2d
— Houston Stellar Recruiting (@StellarHouston) September 17, 2020
Jeri Ficklen – Middle-Blocker – CC Force 171 Crossfire – HS: Cuero – 2022
Jeri Ficklen is a middle-blocker who can make a difference in matches. She was one of the key players of the CC Force 171 Crossfire team that ended the tournament undefeated last weekend. At 6’1”, she brings to the table everything one would expect from an elite middle-blocker. Ficklen is a powerful hitter, especially on her specialty, the slide hit, and is also a very aggressive and productive blocker, one that puts a lot of pressure on opposing hitters with her big block and great hand placement. She’s a very physical player and has already committed to Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Juli Bryant – Outside Hitter – Valley Venon 161 Red – HS: Harlingen – 2023
Juli Bryant was the go-to scoring option for Valley Venon 161 Red during the tournament and she didn’t disappoint. The six-foot outside hitter is very long and can reach the ball very high up at the net. Her heavy arm doesn’t make it any easier for defenders to control her spikes either. It’s clear she’s still a raw talent in a certain way given that her game still has so much upside, but she’s already a very productive player. She’s been very good for Harlingen, having registered 492 kills in just two seasons of high school volleyball.
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