18s GJNC Preview: Alamo 18 Premier

<p>The most important tournament of the year for the class of 2021 players is just in front of us as the 2021 USAV Girls 18s Junior National Championship is set to happen from April 23-25 in Columbus, Ohio, and as many as 280 teams from the entire country are expected to compete in the five divisions.</p> <p>Texas will, of course, be represented in the event and we will take the time between now and the start of the tournament in Ohio to present the teams that will carry the Lone Star State flag in Ohio, analyzing their campaigns in the club season so far and highlighting their most important players.</p> <p>We start with the 18 American division and <strong>Alamo 18 Premier</strong> is the first to get its preview:</p> <p><em>Part of the traditional Alamo Volleyball Club out of San Antonio, the team has had a solid season so far with 28 wins in 14 matches. The squad led by head coach Rachel Torvik won the Alamo City Warm Up back in December and secured top-ten finishes at both the Tour of Texas and the Lone Star Regional Championship. They’re set to play at the Tour of Texas Finals this weekend before they head to Columbus for the GJNC. </em></p> <p>Here are their key players:</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118705" first="Erin" last="Jones"] – Setter/Right Sider – HS: New Braunfels Canyon – 2021</strong></p> <p>Not many players combine size and technical skills the way Jones does. Ranked 61st on our 2021 Prep Dig State Rankings, she stands at six-foot but her game is as smooth as it gets regardless of she’s playing as a setter or a right sider. When she’s tasked with coordinating Alamo’s offense, Jones shows her great touch and smart ball distribution. When at the net, she turns into a very powerful hitter but one that uses her calm personality and high volleyball IQ to make the right calls and put the ball on the floor. Jones will play for Angelo State University at the collegiate level.</p> <p><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/389158011" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Jamiryana Hall – Outside Hitter – HS: Taft – 2021</strong></p> <p>Jamiryana Hall is Alamo’s most used player on offense. That’s because the 5’9” outside hitter can jump very high and hit the ball so hard. Hall’s offense is a very complete one as she uses all of her athleticism to hit quick sets too and can score from the middle if needed as well. With two quality setters setting her up at the net, she hits the ball from a variety of different spots during matches and it’s hard for opponents to determine where she’ll be next. And once they do it, there’s still the challenge of getting as high as her. Hall has committed to the University of Central Arkansas and will continue her collegiate career there.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fGRjqj_Wj7c" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Cali Nims – Setter – HS: Flour Bluff – 2021</strong></p> <p>Cali Nims forms a strong setting duo with Jones. If her teammate brings size and power to the table, Nims adds an interesting level of reliability and consistency with her sets which have all great location. She’s very smart on her distribution and is extremely focused during matches. She knows her way around the net at 5’9” but is a true difference-maker on defense with a very high digging efficiency. The next step of her volleyball career will take place at St. Mary’s University.</p> <p><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/415529327" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>