Sunshine Classic National Qualifier GameChangers
This content series is sponsored by GameChanger – The Official Scorekeeping, Stats, Team Management & Technology Partner of Prep Dig.
The Sunshine Classic National Qualifier took place in Orlando, Florida this past weekend. There were over 1200 teams from all over the country that participated in this wonderful event. Volleyball is a true team sport in that it takes every single player to help a team compete. However, every team across all of the age groups has one or two players that are considered “Game Changers”. This moniker is given to those that literally change the dynamic of each team and give their squad a fighting chance to win. After watching match after match during the three-day weekend, these were the players that I witnessed on each team be considered a true GameChanger:
Jordyn Byrd [2023] 6-4 Outside (HS: West Orange/Club: No Name VBC/Verbal: University of Texas)
Jordyn is currently ranked as the best overall prospect in the 2023 class according to our Prep Dig Florida State Rankings. She plays for Cardinal Mooney High School and also for No Name Volleyball Club Miss Byrd was named Gatorade’s Florida Player of the Year. The 6’4” Byrd amassed 551 kills to go with 258 digs, 56 blocks, and 25 aces this past high school season. I watched her club squad this past weekend compete at a very high level against some amazing Open level competition and even during that awesome display of athleticism, jordyn stood out. It takes something special to be a star amongst stars and she was shining bright for sure. The Texas Longhorn commit made me stop in my tracks once I saw her rise up and destroy a ball. Both her blocking and attacking were on another level. Every coach that she goes up against has to plan around her blocking. The raw natural and somewhat freakish athleticism that she showed during the match that I watched surely proves that she is a “Game Changer” for her squad!
Becca Kelley [2023] 6-3 Outside (HS: Rockwall Heath/Club: Dallas Skyline/Signed: Uncommitted)
Becca is currently ranked as the 106th best overall prospect in the state in the 2023 class according to our Prep Dig Texas State Rankings, but with what we saw this past weekend, she will move WAY up the rankings in our next update. She plays at Rockwall Heath High School and for the nationally recognized Dallas Skyline volleyball club. We have profiled her before when we added her to our rankings and here is a little of what we wrote,“Becca is a tall, long and talented outside hitter who has power for days. I feel sorry for the ball once its contacted by her because she has a cannon. Her footwork is one aspect that should attract many college coaches because she is able to fly around the court and cover a lot of ground defensively. That foot-speed will also help her recover well while in transition to be ready to attack at all times.” That foot-speed was on full display when I watched Becca’s team in the 17 Open division this weekend. She is a ”Game Changer” not only in what she did offensively, but in how her teammates react to her swagger. Her team feeds off of her energy on the court and when she enters the game, everyone seems to perk up. It is like they know what is about to occur. Her mere presence when she subbed in led to many momentum swings in every match I watched. It is this reason that I have dubbed her a true “Game Changer” for her squad.
Campbell Flynn [2025] 6-2 Setter (HS: Mercy/Club: Legacy/Verbal: Uncommitted)
Campbell is currently on our Watch List as a prospect in the 2025 class according to our Prep Dig Michigan State Rankings and will no doubt be one of the top players when the rankings are complete. She plays at Mercy High School and also club for the famed Legacy volleyball club. While most will marvel at her height and the fact that she is the prototypical lefty setter, this young lady understands the game better than most. Her setting skill-set will have her in the conversation to be in the top ten for our national rankings once they are released later on this year for sure. But what truly makes her stand out as a “Game Changer” when I watched her play is her volleyball IQ. Her volleyball IQ is on another level and you can tell she just sees perfect situations to score for her team. She knows exactly when her team needs a point and she catches everyone off-guard with her deadly “attacks on two”. In the Open division most matches go on with each team trading points back and forth. It is very difficult to score multiple points in a row and if your team can accomplish this, you have a great chance to win. Miss Flynn changes every game with her ability to jump and turn to attack the ball when everyone thinks she is going to set her hitters. She scores at-will with it and it is viscous. This young lady is special. In my opinion she is one of the best setters in the nation.
Jaya Johnson [2023] 6-2 Middle (HS: Olathe South/Club: Performance Volleyball Academy/Verbal: Creighton)
Jaya is currently ranked as the 4th best overall prospect and 2nd best middle in the 2023 class according to our Prep Dig Kansas State Rankings. She plays at Olathe South High School and also club for Performance Volleyball Academy out of the Kansas area. Miss Johnson is a “Game Changer” on the court for her team due to her sheer power that she unleashes with her attacks. I thought that she actually deflated the ball the first time I strolled by her court and heard the hand contact she had on the ball. The Creighton commit went off when an overpass came her way and destroyed it in front of the ten-foot line. I stopped in my tracks and took a seat when I saw that happen right in front of me. This is someone that every team must game-plan around when they face her. Every spectator and college coach around her court “oohed and ahhed” almost every time she made contact with the ball. I swear the point flipper at the scorers table wanted to give her two points due to how hard she killed the ball. Miss Johnson is fun to watch and for sure changes the game as I see it.
And as always….Stay tuned for more articles on your favorite athletes. If you have anyone you think we should watch out for, please shoot me an email with some info at nov8vb@yahoo.com. Also don’t forget to help these kids get more exposure by sharing our stories with your friends. Help us help them by simply retweeting on Twitter or sharing on Facebook. Thanks for following Prep Dig Family!