Club Team Spotlight – Wave 17 Juliana
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We are coming to the end of the volleyball season soon and we wanted to write a few articles on certain club teams who we think deserve some recognition for their season. Qualifier season is now coming to an end and…
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Continue ReadingWe are coming to the end of the volleyball season soon and we wanted to write a few articles on certain club teams who we think deserve some recognition for their season. Qualifier season is now coming to an end and some teams have punched their ticket to USA Volleyball Junior Nationals, which will be held in Indianapolis later on this summer. Let’s take a look at a team who has had a great season so far and who we will be seeing at Nationals. Take a bow Wave 17 Juliana…you have earned it.
If you know high-level volleyball, the name Wave will raise your eyebrows if they are in your tournament. Their teams are staples of the Open level community year in and year out. Their 17 Juliana team has proven to be one of the best in the nation this year. They have an overall record of 39-9 and rank 8th overall in the nation according to AES results. They qualified in the Open division of USA Junior Nationals by placing 7th at the Red Rock Rave Qualifier in Las Vegas. They stream rolled their first seven opponents as they went undefeated in straight sets. I was able to watch them take care of business at this tourney and I was very impressed with what I saw. We are proud of their success and look forward to seeing them in Indy later this summer for Nationals. Even though we can write about each and every athlete that contributed to their success, I am only going to cover a few players that stood out while I was watching them. Let’s meet a few of them.
Auburn Tomkinson Auburn Tomkinson 6'4" | RS Carlsbad | 2023 State #54 Nation CA [2023] 6-4 Right Side (HS: Carlsbad/Club: Wave/Verbal: University of Texas)
Auburn is currently on the watch list in the 2023 class according to our Prep Dig California State Rankings. She plays at Carlsbad High School and also club for the awesome Wave club program. She was dominant in the match I saw at Red Rock Rave versus Excel from Texas. Her setter knows exactly what kind of game changer she has in Miss Tomkinson as she went to her early and often to open up the match. This kind of respect goes to show you just how special she is on the offensive end. The lengthy lefty was very hard for everyone to slow down all weekend long in Vegas. She is one of the main reasons why they were able to dominate and score a bid to nationals. The University of Texas commit will continue to wow spectators for another year. We cannot wait to cover her in person in Indy later this summer.
Shanelle Puetz Shanelle Puetz 5'10" | S Mater Dei | 2022 CA [2023] 5-11 Setter (HS: Mater Dei/Club: Wave/Verbal: Uncommitted)
Shanelle is currently on the watch list in the 2023 class according to our Prep Dig California State Rankings. She plays at Mater Dei High School and also club for the amazing Wave club program. On a team full of superstar offensive weapons, she is the engine that drives them. This super athletic and smooth setter is a sight to see for sure. She is an all American and highly touted for both her skill-set and leadership abilities. You can see how much time she has put into mastering her craft with every contact she makes with the ball. She would be a great role model for any young setter to emulate as her fundamentals are superior to most setters in the country. This young lady makes everyone that much better on the court. Take one look at her as she moves and contacts the ball and you will see what I saw. She makes setting look like a symphony. I urge you to give this young lady a look or two.
Eva Rohrbach Eva Rohrbach 6'3" | MB La Costa Canyon | 2023 State #29 Nation CA [2023] 6-3 Middle (HS: La Costa Canyon/Club: Wave/Verbal: Maryland)
Eva is currently on the watch list in the 2023 class according to our Prep Dig California State Rankings. She plays at La Costa Canyon High School and also club for Wave volleyball. When I watched them play, she was brilliant running the slide. It was very difficult for her opponent to slow her down as she hit the ball at a very high contact point while drifting in the air. Her blocking was the biggest help to her team at the Red Rock Rave tourney in Vegas. She routinely shut down high-level attackers during one on one match ups. The Maryland commit was playing at a true open level when I watched. Her power and speed is one thing that stood out and I know she will be an impact player when she gets to the Terps court in a few years.
Other notable players for this star-studded roster are all around super stud outside Julia Blyashov Julia Blyashov 6'3" | OH Cathedral Catholic | 2023 State #3 Nation CA who played brilliantly in all six rotations, libero Koko Kirsch Koko Kirsch 5'8" | DS/L El Toro | 2023 State #168 Nation CA who was phenomenal in the back row, and middle Ryleigh Patterson Ryleigh Patterson 6'1" | RS Cathedral Catholic | 2023 State CA who was flying high all tourney long. We will be highlighting these young ladies and others from this team in another article soon as they gear up for Nationals. Stay tuned for more from this wonderful team.
As always stay tuned for more articles on your favorite athletes. If you have anyone you think we should watch out for, please shoot me an email with some info at nov8vb@yahoo.com. Also don’t forget to help these kids get more exposure by sharing our stories with your friends. Help us help them by simply retweeting on Twitter or sharing on Facebook. Thanks for following us, Prep Dig Cali Family! Don’t be afraid to interact with us. We love the likes, shares, and quotes/comments. Keep them coming!