Nets Over Texas #1 – 16s – Middle Blockers
More than 80 club volleyball teams were active this past weekend in Houston with the first stop of the Nets Over Texas event taking place in three different venues in the area. The tournament had two divisions, with 17s and…
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Continue ReadingMore than 80 club volleyball teams were active this past weekend in Houston with the first stop of the Nets Over Texas event taking place in three different venues in the area.
The tournament had two divisions, with 17s and 18s paired in a single event and the 16s playing in one of their own. We followed the 16s tournament and spent most of the Saturday in the Asics Willowbrook facility, where 24 of the 41 entered teams competed.
It was a great opportunity to spot young talent in the state of Texas and over the course of the week, we’ll present our findings here, starting with some of the most talented middle blockers we saw in the tournament.
Middle Blockers
Alyssa Dinh – Renegades 16 Black – HS: Cypress Creek – 2024
Alyssa Dinh was one of the most impressive middle blockers in the division. Long and athletic, she did a great job in dominating the net on both sides of the ball. Her offense was really solid and predicated on an extremely high contact point and the ability to hit multiple sets while her long arms and her ability to close out the space right next to the player at the pin are what make of her a great blocker. She was an important part of her high school team Cypress Creek during the last club season, tallying 114 kills and leading in blocks with 74.
Melody Herrin – GCVA 161 Coast – HS: Clear Creek – 2024
Melody Herrin was a big reason for GCVA 161 Coast’s positive display in the tournament as she helped the team out of Friendswood in a variety of different ways. The 5’11” Herrin plays with a lot of energy at the net and her spirit infects her teammates. She has excellent net presence and uses her good reading of the game and technique to stop opponents at the net. Herrin is also difficult to stop on offense because she hits a very quick set and can create problems to her opponents with her tough serve. She had somewhat of a limited role with her high school team Clear Creek this past season but still produced 68 kills and 19 blocks.
Nets Over Texas #1 @Willowbrookvb GCVA 161 Coast Rank 4/40 @melody_herrin Middle Hitter #21 #MKOntheNet c/o ‘24 pic.twitter.com/k89a4IVfS0
— Cassie Herrin Saad (@CSH20190726) January 24, 2022
Hannah Lakin – Asics Willowbrook 16 Gold – HS: Cy-Fair – 2024
One of just five teams to end the weekend undefeated with four victories, Asics Willowbrook 16 Gold benefited from Hannah Lakin’s presence at the net to succeed. The 5’10” middle blocker has very long arms and uses them to take up space from opposing hitters. Lakin moves really well at the net and does a great job in closing gaps with the pin blocker. She also has solid potential offensively as she’s able to put a lot of power in her hits.