FAST Pre Nationals – 17s – The Outside Hitters
The club volleyball season is quickly approaching its end, with the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championship (GJNC), the highlight of the year, set to happen from June 23-July 4 in Indiana. The FAST Pre Nationals tournament has established itself…
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Continue ReadingThe club volleyball season is quickly approaching its end, with the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championship (GJNC), the highlight of the year, set to happen from June 23-July 4 in Indiana.
The FAST Pre Nationals tournament has established itself as the final event in the Houston area ahead of the GJNC. This year, the tournament was held in three different venues on June 11-12 and offered a final opportunity for us to watch some of the best teams in the state before they had to Indiana to fight for the national title.
We were at the FAST Complex on Saturday afternoon watching the 16s and 17s Power Pools and this time are spending not one, but two weeks producing reports about the event. After looking at the 16s division last week, we’re diving into the 17s this week and today we’ll feature some of the most promising outside hitters who were on the court.
Nayeli Gonzalez Nayeli Gonzalez 6'2" | MB Cornerstone Christian | 2023 State #35 Nation TX – Alamo 17 Premier – HS: Cornerstone Christian – 2023
Originally a middle blocker, Nayeli Gonzalez Nayeli Gonzalez 6'2" | MB Cornerstone Christian | 2023 State #35 Nation TX has become one of the top outside hitters in the entire state after making the move to the pin. Her 6’2” frame and her impressive explosiveness make of her very difficult to stop when in system. Gonzalez can hit quicker sets or more traditional, high ones and is equally effective on both of them. Her long arms and excellent reading also make of her an excellent blocker. Her backcourt skills have been steadily improving since she moved to the outside hitter position.
Bianna Muoneke Bianna Muoneke 6'0" | OH Cy Ranch | 2023 State #80 Nation TX – HJV 17 Elite – HS: Cypress Ranch – 2023
Bianna Muoneke Bianna Muoneke 6'0" | OH Cy Ranch | 2023 State #80 Nation TX ‘s athleticism is one of her main weapons as the HJV 17 Elite outside hitter is as physical and explosive as anyone. A six-footer, she also has tremendous vertical and an extremely heavy right arm, completing a stellar offensive package. Despite using her power to score, Muoneke is extremely versatile and reliable, finding different ways to put the ball on the opposing court and making very few mistakes every time she’s on the court. Her backcourt game is also solid enough to make of her a six-rotation outside hitter.
Evyn Snook Evyn Snook 6'1" | OH Magnolia West | 2023 State TX – Texas Tornados 17 Adidas – HS: Magnolia West – 2023
A 6’2” prospect who can play anywhere at the net, Evyn Snook Evyn Snook 6'1" | OH Magnolia West | 2023 State TX stood out as a reliable scoring force to her Texas Tornados 17 Adidas team. Very tall and athletic, she has excellent alternatives to score points at the net and used her reach extremely well to remain aggressive even when hitting sets off the net. Snook is extremely powerful, but also very smart with her shot selection and also got to her team on the backcourt with solid passing and efficient defense.
Ariana Brown Ariana Brown 5'11" | OH Conroe | 2023 State TX – Asics Willowbrook 17 Gold – HS: Conroe – 2023
Nicknamed ‘The Texas Hammer’, Ariana Brown Ariana Brown 5'11" | OH Conroe | 2023 State TX made justice to her reputation by hammering balls at the FAST Complex. The six-footer split time between the left and the right sides and was equally dangerous and explosive with her offense. Brown not only has a very heavy arm, but can also jump really high, which makes of her very difficult to stop. Unlike most of the players with that profile, though, she’s also very solid on passing and defense.
I love this game🏐❤️🏐 #saltlakecityqualifier #17Open pic.twitter.com/98JM3Ufmfu
— Ariana Brown Ariana Brown 5'11" | OH Conroe | 2023 State TX (@Arianabrownn15) April 13, 2022
Kaitlin Whitlock – Ignite VBC 17 Blaze – HS: Clark – 2023
Despite standing at just 5’9”, it’s fair to say Kaitlin Whitlock is just as explosive as every other player on this list. The high-flying outside hitter has an absolutely insane vertical, which puts her right up there with the tallest hitters in the state. Whitlock also has a very quick right arm, but is also capable of reading the game and scoring with finesse when that’s the best option. She was very effective hitting some sets in the middle too and substantially helped her team while at the backcourt, showing a very complete game.