More Iowa Standouts in the Sand From CIA 18U Doubles Tournament

Chris Fitzgerald June 19, 2020 @ 12:29 PM

I will be the first to admit that I am a bit foreign to the sand game. However, no matter what surface or the conditions the game is played on, I can still see athleticism, skill, and some intangibles that make a duo quite successful. For [player_tooltip player_id="79248" first="Meredith" last="Street"] and [player_tooltip player_id="42440" first="Kaebre" last="Sullivan"] of Osage and CIA Beach, they swept the weekend in Waterloo defeating an extremely talented duo in [player_tooltip player_id="40902" first="LeeAnn" last="Potter"] and [player_tooltip player_id="41237" first="Sydney" last="Dennis"]. But who else were some standouts in sand last weekend at the CIA Sand Double 18U tournament?   [player_tooltip player_id="41247" first="Halia" last="Mahi"]/Emmy Wedgbury Mahi and Wedgbury are solid all around players. Mahi has the edge when it comes to setting, but I think this past weekend was when I saw Wedgbury just the highest and hit the hardest I’ve ever seen, considering in the indoor game she is a libero. Last fall for Cedar Falls, Wedgbury stepped in on the right side, but seeing her play this weekend I think she could practically pick her spot for the Tigers in 2020, so impressive.   [player_tooltip player_id="17239" first="Saari" last="Kuehl"]/Dani Johnson Kuehl and Johnson are two uncommitted 2021 outside hitters who will be a great pick up at the next level. Long, athletic, they have the height and length to be a blocking force at the net, but also the backrow skills to serve receive and pass. Multiple times throughout the day, they would attack on the second contact causing a lot of chaos for the opposing side of the net. They will continue to improve each time they get a chance to compete together.   [player_tooltip player_id="17233" first="Belle" last="Weber"] Weber has been making a name for herself ever since she stepped on the court at Union High School. She plays with Bailey Rima out of Cedar Rapids and the two have great chemistry. Weber is another 2021 pin hitter with an all around game where she is creative with her shots, but has a high tough where she can attack with multiple angles to go along with a high IQ court sense, so smooth!   [player_tooltip player_id="79239" first="Kiersten" last="Schmitt"] The upside for Schmitt will be scary for teams in Eastern Iowa. Schmitt is a Beckman Catholic prep who can play any position in the front row and also set. She is long and active which make for a solid combination on the sand with her ability to do a little bit of everything.   [player_tooltip player_id="41248" first="Paige" last="Kisley"] Kisley teamed up with high school teammate [player_tooltip player_id="79667" first="Claudia" last="Aschenbrenner"] and were part of five Osage athletes who had a HUGE day. Jumping on sand is just different, but not for Kisley, she can make it look easy, she is still getting her head above the net and just eyeing the open spot. For Aschenbrenner, she is from the Class of 2023 and getting valuable touches against high level competition. Osage will be moving up to 3A from 2A and will still be a favorite to get to Cedar Rapids come November.   [player_tooltip player_id="79710" first="Brynn" last="Smith"] Smith is from the Class of 2023 and showed her all around ability from being able to serve receive, pass, and really sky to create a variety of shots. Smith and her partner Brayden Zoll defeated Mahi and Wedgbury in pool play, but were then defeated by Johnson/Kuehl in bracket play. Just one example of the overall depth of this field. Smith will be a Sophomore at AGWSR and will be a threat from any spot on the court.