18s GJNC Preview: AJV 18 Molten
The most important tournament of the year for the class of 2021 players is just in front of us as the 2021 USAV Girls 18s Junior National Championship is set to happen from April 23-25 in Columbus, Ohio, and as…
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Continue ReadingThe most important tournament of the year for the class of 2021 players is just in front of us as the 2021 USAV Girls 18s Junior National Championship is set to happen from April 23-25 in Columbus, Ohio, and as many as 280 teams from the entire country are expected to compete in the five divisions.
Texas will, of course, be represented in the event and we will take the time between now and the start of the tournament in Ohio to present the teams that will carry the Lone Star State flag in Ohio, analyzing their campaigns in the club season so far and highlighting their most important players.
The 18 Patriot Division will feature four Texan clubs in the hunt for the medals and AJV 18 Molten will be one of them. Here’s where they stand:
One of two teams from the seven-time national champion Austin Junior Volleyball club to appear in the tournament, AJV 18 Molten will have a great opportunity to end their season on a high. The team has had its ups and downs so far, winning 16 and losing 18 matches in the six tournaments they played. Head coach Amy Knowles’ group has done well at the Tour of Texas Qualifier with a fifth-place finish.
Here are their key players:
Kindsee Escamilla – Opposite/Outside Hitter – HS: Liberty Hill – 2021
Kindsee Escamilla is one of the most powerful offensive players in AJV 18 Molten’s roster. The 5’11” prospect has a heavy and fast right arm and is able to cause damage from both the left and right sides and offering her coach a lot of flexibility on how to best utilize her. Escamilla is very long and has a really high point of contact, which makes things difficult for opposing blockers, especially when she hits angle. She stretches her arm the most she can to hit and that comes in handy when her team is out-of-system.
Amanda Baker – Middle-Blocker – HS: Glenn – 2021
Amanda Baker offers a strong presence for AJV 18 Molten at the net. The 6’2” middle-blocker is very active and manages to impact the game for her team on both sides of the ball. Baker can still add more power to her offense, but her tremendous reach and intriguing ability to adjust to and make the most of less-than-ideal sets make of her a very efficient player in that area. She also has great body control and balance when blocking, taking her big block where it’s needed play after play. She has committed to play for Kansas Wesleyan University.
Julia Antu – Libero/Defensive Specialist – HS: San Marcos – 2021
Julia Antu’s main asset as a player is hands down her outstanding technique. The 5’2” prospect can also play as a setter but is at its best when deployed as a libero, a position in which she can use her impressive skills to lead AJV 18 Molten’s backcourt game. Antu has a really low center of gravity as that makes her move faster than anyone else on the court most of the time. She’s also a very brave defender, one that throws her body in any ball that goes her way and that’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep it off the court. That mindset has taken her to the next level as she will play for the Western State Colorado University at the collegiate level.