Outside Hitters Excel at SLC Showdown Showcase
Before the Showdown, there was the Showcase. This weekend, Salt Lake City is hosting the second week of USAV qualifiers that features some of the top 15s, 16s, 17s, and 18s from the Rocky Mountains and beyond. Before the Showdown,…
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Continue ReadingBefore the Showdown, there was the Showcase.
This weekend, Salt Lake City is hosting the second week of USAV qualifiers that features some of the top 15s, 16s, 17s, and 18s from the Rocky Mountains and beyond. Before the Showdown, though, we kicked things off with the Prep Dig Showcase as we usher in a new partnership between Prep Dig and USA Volleyball. These are exciting times!
I had the opportunity to do some remote viewing of the Showcase Thursday night, and we’ve got plenty of standouts to discuss from the event. Of course, we’ll also be going over some results from the Showdown happening this weekend, too.
First, let’s check out a handful of outside hitters who really made the most of the pre-Showdown Showcase.
Grace Halbrooks – 5’9 OH – Elevate AK – Class of 2022
Mark this down as my first exposure to Alaska volleyball. Volleyball truly is a national phenomenon. Fairbanks’ Grace Halbrooks showed off her skills in serve receive and in the attacking phase throughout Thursday’s showcase.
Sofia Green – 5’10 OH – Athena – Class of 2023
Salt Lake City is hosting some of Oregon’s top talents this weekend, and Green is certainly one to follow. She can effortlessly go pass-to-attack from the left pin and is particularly skilled at hitting a two-ball down the middle of the court.
Audrey Fowler – 5’7 OH – A4 – Class of 2023
Fowler is one of many high-flying West Coast outside hitters that will make the trip to Utah for this qualifier. This experienced attacker moves in the backcourt like a defensive specialist and is the kind of player you want to make the first contact.
Sidney Friesen – 5’8 OH – Athena – Class of 2024
We welcome another Oregonian to the feature. Friesen is incredibly nimble in the back row and packs a hammer on either pin along the net. This showcase was defined by players like Friesen who can fill any role on the court.
Alysa Walker – 5’7 OH/RS – Alamo VBA – Class of 2024
Walker was consistently one of the most terminal hitters at this showcase. It’s hard to decide whether she’s better on the right or left because she rose up and fired away on both sides with equal efficiency. Texas has no shortage of talent at this qualifier.
Savannah Vasher – 5’7 OH/RS – Austin Skyline – Class of 2024
Here’s another effortless flyer to watch this weekend. Vasher does much of her work at the opposite position, and her explosive approach makes her a natural fit for the right side. She can swing away with sets at any tempo, so her attacking range and versatility will always be fun to watch.
Isabella Faria – 5’10 OH – Apex VBC – Class of 2024
Faria’s well-rounded game quickly stood out in SLC. She anchored the middle-back zone in defensive drills and quickly transitioned to her hard-hitting style in the frontcourt.
Brooklyn Drumwright – 6’0 OH – 949 – Class of 2025
On to the Class of 2025. Not only does Drumwright bring a high contact point to the hardwood, but she also has a beach volleyball background that allows her to see the court and make smart choices. It’s just what you’d expect from a talented California prospect.
Aniya Hall – 5’9 OH/MB – Alamo – Class of 2025
Hall is included in this outside hitter feature, but she can also bring some serious heat at the middle blocker spot. Her performance in drills at the showcase indicate that she can be successful at just about any frontcourt position.