2022 Houston Area Standouts – Utility Players

<p>The club volleyball season is pretty much over for the class of 2022 players. There are still some tournaments scheduled for the 18s, but most of the top club teams around the country have already shut down as several players are ready to start the next step of their careers at the collegiate level.</p> <p>It's been a fantastic season, which culminated with the 2022 USA Volleyball Girls 18s Junior National Championship in Phoenix, Arizona, at the end of April. I've been fortunate to watch most of the top 18s teams of the Houston area in person and have taken the week to highlight some of the prospects that impressed me the most in each position. In our last piece in the series, let's honor the utility players, those who are there to help in more than one way.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="174934" first="Nina" last="Moorer"] – Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist/Setter - Houston Skyline 18 Royal – Ridge Point</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="174934" first="Nina" last="Moorer"]'s transformation was one of the nicest to see this club season. She spent the last high school splitting setting and hitting duties for a strong Ridge Point team, but seamlessly moved to the left with Houston Skyline 18 Royal. The six-foot Moorer thrived at the net with her explosiveness and power but also provided enough help on the backcourt that at times she'd come off the bench only to play the three back rotations. The University of Louisville was lucky to get such a talented and versatile player.  </p> <p><iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15133163/627059d002b1540d489e19d4" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="99525" first="Jackie" last="Velzis"] – Right Side/Outside Hitter - TAV Houston 18 Adidas – HS: Cypress Woods</strong></p> <p>It's not unusual to find players who are capable of playing on either side of the net, but not all of them get to do it as well as [player_tooltip player_id="99525" first="Jackie" last="Velzis"]. A powerful and explosive right side hitter for her Cypress Woods high school team she moved to the left for the club season and, in certain ways, became a different player. The power, of course, was still there, but the 6'1” Velzis not only adjusted well to passing but also became a more cerebral and refined player at the net, further expanding her game. Her next destination will be the University of Texas at Tyler.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13013079/6187361ba680d70b8431660c" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="87522" first="Lindsey" last="Kriendler"] – Right Side/Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter - Houston Skyline 18 Black – HS: Cypress Creek</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="87522" first="Lindsey" last="Kriendler"] is a player that offers a lot of flexibility and several different alternatives to her teams. Because of her 6'2” frame and her excellent mobility, she can play anywhere on the net and contribute with different things depending on where she's placed. She's spent the club season playing on the right for her Houston Skyline team and proved to be a consistent scorer, making great use of her length, and a very productive blocker. She's headed to the University of New Hampshire, where she'll play at the collegiate level.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11613800/624d18cc4bb1fd03c0e5f657" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="151750" first="Bailey" last="Hanner"] – Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter - Houston Skyline 18 Royal – HS: Fort Bend Christian </strong></p> <p>The best player in her championship-winning high school team Fort Bend Christian playing as outside hitter, [player_tooltip player_id="151750" first="Bailey" last="Hanner"] embraced the challenge of transitioning to the middle in the club season and enjoyed great success with it. The 6'2” Hanner was not only humble to accept the change but also tried to make the most of it, incorporating new skills into her game. She benefited from her physicality as a high jump state champion and became a rock for her team in the middle before heading to Texas State for her collegiate career.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/10193429/627030da32dc7405084a275a" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="119924" first="Jordan" last="Maeker"] – Outside Hitter/Right Side – Houston Stellar 18 Elite – HS: Pearland</strong></p> <p>A very complete player, [player_tooltip player_id="119924" first="Jordan" last="Maeker"] can provide whatever her coach needs at either side of the net. The 5'10” prospect is skilled enough to strengthen the team's backcourt game, but can also come in to add to the team's scoring punch with her reach and explosion. A very consistent player, she can play a variety of roles and excels in all of them.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13380494/61ef450d0c5e070148c97b54" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Mecca Freeman - Outside Hitter/Middle Blocker – Houston Skyline 18 Black - HS: Mayde Creek</strong></p> <p>Originally a middle blocker, Mecca Freeman succeeded in her transition to the outside hitter position thanks to her excellent mobility and overall skills. Her 6'3” frame made of her one of the most lethal hitters playing the position and an excellent blocker and she developed her backcourt skills well enough to get the job done on passing and defense too. Freeman will continue her career at Bethune-Cookman.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13104508/624d23c7235249050c6f6eca" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>