Midwest Asics Nationals Premier: Stock rising 14’s
As we come to a close of the first day of the Midwest Asics National Junior Volleyball Championship, held June 14th to June 15th, we dive into some of the player and teams that stood out in the first day…
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Continue ReadingAs we come to a close of the first day of the Midwest Asics National Junior Volleyball Championship, held June 14th to June 15th, we dive into some of the player and teams that stood out in the first day of the event.
The Asics National Junior Volleyball Championship is being held in Chicago at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall. The event has over 288 teams from across the country competing including some teams that we are familiar with in the Chicagoland area.
Chicago Elite 14 Nike
One of Chicago’s premier volleyball club, Chicago Elite 14 Nike, had an outstanding performance on day 1 of today’s tournament. They hustled across the floor and worked as a team to secure all three of their matches. They won over there three opponents: Top Flight 14 Kappa 25-7, 25-11; Sky High 14 Olesen 25-16, 2511; Adversity G13 Blk Adidas 26-24, 25-22.
Chicago Elite 14 Nike has a wide variety of talented and rising players looking to prove their talents on the court.
Hannah Kopec- S/#14
Kopec is on the rise to being a talented and elite stock riser. As a setter, Kopec is getting a hang of being one of the key components to setting the perfect set for her outside hitters, securing the overall kill. Kopec is a foundational and traditional setter and sets the ball at a acceptable height, allowing for her hitters to have the right amount of height and power to swing. Kopec is a very key aspect to securing three match wins over their opponents. I look forward to seeing more of her on the court.
Abigail Pierce- OH/#4
Pierce is another key aspect of the Chicago Elite 14 Nike team. Pierce is a very foundational and structured outside hitter, but has a very strong swing. Pierce is one of the athletes that allows her potential to shine when she steps foot on the court and makes sure that her actions back up that aura that she gives off. Pierce and Kopec is a duo that works well and is going to be a duo to continue watching this tournament.
Hannah Landry- DS/#53
Landry is a special player when it comes to her defensive skills. Landry, looks most of the teammates, are all rising stock players and are learning the foundations of the elite status of the game. Landry brings her best foot forward in making sure to reflect the ball, keeping the ball live at all times. Landry is quick and efficient on her saves and has quick reflexes which is an important asset to the game.
Epic United 14 Jade
Epic United is another team out of the Chicagoland area that showed up and showed out, securing wins in all of their three matches. Epic United 14 Jade team stood out as they are definitely developing elite stock risers, but they effectively work together as a team and work well off of one another.
Epic United 14 Jade had some standout stock risers that caught my eye and made a solid impression over the three matches played. Epic secured wins: Chicago Elite Max 25-12, 25-12; Sky High 14 Paliza 25-17, 25-8; Sky High 14 Strang 25-13, 25-14.
Lauren Smith- OPP/#72
Smith is an athlete that defiantly stood out on the court as she moves very swift across the net and is not afraid to move with the ball. Smith is quick and her ability to swing when needed is impressive. She works very well with her setter and Libero when it comes to keeping the ball live and making sure that the ball does not hit the floor. Smith is a solid stock riser and continues to outshine her ability to be an elite athlete.
Sofia Maldonada- L/#30
Maldonada is a very defensive athlete and that is what I like to see. She hustles quickly across the back row and in the middle when she is needed. She reflects the ball well and the biggest thing that makes Maldonada shine is her ability to work that back row. She is young, but displays a solid foundation and fundamental skills when it comes to being the primary Libero.
Hannah Bruinsma-OPP/#14
Bruinsma is another athlete I am looking forward to seeing in tomorrows match. She is a very attentive player and has a very strong swing, which is impressive from the girls out of the 14’s group. She stabdsout amongst her other teammates as she is consistent with all of her serving aces, along with her ball handling abilities which is impressive for someone at a young developmental age.
Zariah Winton-OH/#47
Winton is definitely a stock rising outside hitter as she is going to be a target player to watch during the remainder of this tournament and throughout her athletic career. Winton uses her height to her advantage, and she has a solid structure when it comes to her fundamental skills. Winton is a strong athlete and has a very strong right swing, which catches your eye when watching her perform on the court.