Katy United Classic #7 – Middles Who Proved Their Value
Last weekend was a big one in the current club season and all eyes (or actually, most of them) were justifiably turned to the 2022 USA Volleyball Girls 18s Junior National Championship in Phoenix, Arizona. There were, however, tournaments happening…
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Continue ReadingLast weekend was a big one in the current club season and all eyes (or actually, most of them) were justifiably turned to the 2022 USA Volleyball Girls 18s Junior National Championship in Phoenix, Arizona.
There were, however, tournaments happening elsewhere and one of them was the Katy United Classic #7, held at the club of the same name in the Katy area, which reunited 17 teams from the Houston region in the 16s age groups for a day of competition.
We were there, closely following the action and are reporting on some of the most promising players we saw on the court during the week. In today’s piece, we’ll feature some of the most interesting middle blockers who competed in the event.
Skylar Christopher – Texas Legacy 16 Elite – HS: Tomball Memorial – 2024
A six-footer with a strong body and excellent mobility, Skylar Christopher did a tremendous job in dominating the net for her Texas Legacy 16 Elite team. Christopher was a handful to deal with on offense because of her ability to hit multiple sets and get in a rhythm with just a few kills. She’s also a very good blocker, combining size, technique and great reading of the game.
Oyinkansola Ajimotokan – Katy United 16 Molten – HS: Fort Bend Christian Academy – 2024
A starting middle blocker for TAPPS state champions Fort Bend Christian Academy, Oyinkansola Ajimotokan is surprisingly capable at the net despite her 5’7” frame. She used her athleticism better than probably any other player in the tournament and was a force for her Katy United 16 Molten team. Ajimotokan gets to impact both sides of the game with her physicality, as she made clear in the last high school season by producing 102 kills and 56 blocks.
IT’S OVER!!!! For the first time in program history @FBCAathletics Volleyball are STATE CHAMPIONS!!!!! #txhsvb
#txhsvb @FBEagles @baileyhanner_ @averyhodgee @sheastone_ @KFColonel19 @TAPPSvolleyball @KPRC2RandyMc @KPRC2Ari @HTownHSS @KPRC2Vanessa @LSCSN @BayleighMinor pic.twitter.com/yGJS1nn5jG
— VYPE Houston (@vypehouston) November 20, 2021
Kamiryn Edmonds – Kingwood Revolution 16 Elite – HS: Summer Creek – 2024
Kamiryn Edmonds is one of those middles who play taller than her size. Listed at 5’9”, she uses her excellent physical tools to make an impact at the net. Edmonds has really long arms and jumps well, a combination that makes of her a very good blocker. She also has a quick right arm and a lot of firepower on her offense.
Grace Ellis – Texas Legacy 16 Elite – HS: Lake Creek – 2024
Tournament winners Texas Legacy 16 Elite had arguably the stronger middle blocker duo in action with Grace Ellis pairing really well with Christopher. Ellis’ athleticism is probably her main asset on the court as not many players in this age group can combine her six-foot frame, long arms and very quick feet. Ellis is a good jumper and has a tremendously heavy arm and also does a great job when blocking with her ability to seal the space right next to the pin blocker.
Gabriela Solis – Sporting Edge – 16 Armour – 2025
Gabriela Solis was a bright spot in a Sporting Edge – 16 Armour team that struggled to get results. She proved to be an interesting offensive player with impressive leaping ability and a very quick right arm. Solis was easily the team’s most-used offensive player and showed an interesting ability to hit from the middle, left or right.
Jordan Phillips – Texas Legacy 16 National – 2024
Jordan Phillips displayed an interesting game at the net for her Texas Legacy 16 National team. Very active and mobile, she does a great job in moving at the net to block opposing hitters. Her offensive game is also worth some attention as Phillips can hit quite a few different sets and is also a scoring option from the right.