Mid-Major Commits, BIG Impact at 18s Nationals
There were plenty of stars that shine this past weekend at 18s Nationals. Athletes who were competing for the last time at the club level showing what they could do, competing for some hardware before heading off to the college…
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Continue ReadingThere were plenty of stars that shine this past weekend at 18s Nationals. Athletes who were competing for the last time at the club level showing what they could do, competing for some hardware before heading off to the college ranks. Before I get too much further into some of these athletes who are heading to mid-major schools, there are a lot of these programs who are top 25, national tournament contenders where they are making a push towards sweet sixteen appearances. The darlings of the NCAA Tournaments. These athletes showed they can make an impact at the next level regardless of the label. Here are the mid major commits who had a big time performance at 18s Nationals in Phoenix.
Courtney Jones everyone! Get at that NIL deal. She contacts so high – special athlete for @circlecityvbc
Circle up 12-9 against FC Elite pic.twitter.com/KMdupLNdJV
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) April 24, 2022
Courtney Jones – Circle City 18 Purple
Committed to Lipscomb
One of the top outside hitters in the tournament, Jones was something special to watch. Her explosiveness from the pin was a big part behind the success of Circle City 18 Purple finishing in the final 16. Jones was hitting over most blockers and was a primary attacker playing middle back. Every team was scheming their defense to stop her and she still was putting up big time performances.
Congrats to the two members of our 2022 class! Jordan Karlen set her team to a runner-up finish in the USA Division National Championship match and landed herself on the All-Tournament team. Ayanna Rodgers led her team to an 11th place finish in the USA Division as well! #WingsUp pic.twitter.com/qJaT2jrZuq
— Tennessee Tech Volleyball (@TNTechVball) April 25, 2022
Jordan Karlen – Setter – Capital 18 Adidas
Committed to Tennessee Tech
Karlen was a major part of Capital 18 Adidas out of Madison, WI and their run to a runner-up finish. The setter out or Milton, Wi will be heading to Tennessee Tech who is building among the top tier programs in the OVC. Karlen is extremely dynamic, a playmaker. She knows how to make something out of nothing and with her ability to adjust and create she will be one who could have a big time impact for Tech.
Karissa Kaminski – DS/L – FC Elite 18 Elite
Committed to Dayton
I’ve seen Kaminski play since she was a 14s playing up on the 15s team for FC Elite. She was part of the rise of FC Elite where their top 18s team finished in the final eight in 2021 and top four this past weekend. She will be heading to Dayton where they make it a tradition of winning the A10 and competing in the NCAA Tournament. She won three titles as an outside hitter at the high school level and will have a future as a DS/Libero. Her serve puts so much pressure on the other side of the net and she provides a swing out of the backrow. Above all, she is a fiery competitor who knows how to get it done.
Dirty! Deep push to the corner by Elle Cotton of @MNSelect – so savvy. She is a @BroncoSportsVB commit! #usav18 pic.twitter.com/tB6EsDyrtp
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) April 22, 2022
Elle Cotton – Setter – MN Select 18-1
Committee to Boise State
Cold blooded. Cotton was a big time piece of the puzzle for MN Select 18-1 where she is so dynamic as a setter. She brings a lot of size, physicality, and athleticism to the front row where she can make her presence known as a blocker and knows when to attack. She will head to Boise State next season where she will look to make an early impact. Her savvy for the game seems very natural and should translate well to the college game.
@FGCU_VB commit Rylen Reid off to a hot start against H Skyline. Big arm on the pin for Adversity pic.twitter.com/PTt7enFbYk
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) April 24, 2022
Rylen Reid- Outside Hitter – Adversity 18 Adidas
Committed to Florida Gulf Coast
Adversity was such a tough match for plenty of teams this weekend. They are so gritty and Reid is a big part of that. The outside hitter who brings a heavy arm and a big celebration plays with so much passion. She will head to Florida Gulf Coast who is coming off a second round appearance in the NCAA Tournament where plenty of athletes from the Midwest have made a successful career for the Eagles
Intense match in 18 USA between @ClubOzark and Roots (TX) – Trinity Hamilton can flat out fly. She is committed to @ucavball pic.twitter.com/SNECE54Vv4
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) April 23, 2022
Trinity Hamilton – Ozark Juniors 18 National
Committed to Central Arkansas
I kept watching Hamilton every time I was near her court, seeing her high flying ability on the pin and as an outlet in the backrow. She is all of 5’7, but the style she plays with is infectious to her teammates and is definitely someone who makes positive things happen on the court. At the next level she is a gem for the college gym where she knows how to use a big block to her advantage and is really dynamic as a backrow defender and attacker.
Lauren Carter – Setter – Club Ignite Select 18 Blue (Title Photo)
Committed to Denver
Carter and her Club Ignite Select squad out of the Central Iowa/Des Moines area have played in plenty of big matches over their careers. A large core of this group were part of the 2020 Triple Crown Title as 16s. Carter is a quarterback of the court. She sees the other side of the net extremely well and knows how to find the best matchup for her teammates. Above all she’s competitive and a winner in multiple sports. She cleared 5’5 in the high jump when she returned from Phoenix and has a state softball title under her belt from 2020. Iowa has high school softball in the summer which Carter is a four sport standout. That experience from every sport will allow her to flourish even more at Denver.
Saane Katoa so fast out of the middle for @clubvpride – she is heading to @weberstatevb #usav18 pic.twitter.com/w17zI8578d
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) April 22, 2022
Saane Katoa – Club V 18 Red Reed
Committed to Weber State
Middles with speed are extremely hard to defend which is exactly the mismatch problem that Katoa provides. Club V 18 Ren Reed was competing in 18 Open this past weekend and had plenty of size, but Katoa was a great combo with the bigger attackers where she could get to the ball quickly and find the open spot. She will head to Weber State where she could be used as a middle or even a right side who can be dangerous attacking off one foot.