What Teams Are a Dangerous Matchup At AAU Nationals?

With nationals for AAU just a couple weeks away, we need to take a look at a few teams who are going into their session with their eyes on the prize. After seeing these squads multiple times throughout the season, they have the tools to succeed at a high level. In order for teams to find success at a national tournament it takes depth. With four days of competition, everyone on the roster becomes a vital part. Having balance where multiple athletes can contribute to save and score points. Here are a few squads to have on the radar in Orlando and could be playing in some huge matches come day three and four of the tournament. Capital Volleyball Academy 17 Adidas - Madison WI This team is always going to be competitive, they know how to compete at a high level. They have plenty of balance, some big time commits, as well as some 2023s who would still be a solid pick up at the next level (along with a 2024). This team has two big time middles in [player_tooltip player_id="91887" first="Addison" last="Schmotzer"] (St. Thomas) and [player_tooltip player_id="149575" first="Sierra" last="Pertzborn"] (Toledo). They are long, athletic, extremely dynamic offensively, and a major presence with their block. Two 2023s to watch on this squad would be outside [player_tooltip player_id="91883" first="Jordan" last="LaScala"] and setter [player_tooltip player_id="91952" first="Evinae" last="Jordee"], a crafty lefty who can do a lot of positive things for her team. A 2024 playing up on this team is [player_tooltip player_id="122560" first="Andi" last="Spies"]. She does it all where she sets, swings, and is a solid defender. A definite swiss army knife type player that should be getting some attention come June 15.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Really impressed with <a href="https://x.com/IEVBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IEVBC</a> Libero Sydnie Hernandez from 16 Cardinal. She moves really well and can take a lot of pace off a hard swing….and very consistent. <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/PDGauntlet?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PDGauntlet</a> — Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigChris/status/1531289179241566208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Illini Elite 16 Cardinal - Bloomington, IL This is an established program where these athletes from Illini Elite are well trained, fundamentally sound, and can compete at a high level. They recently finished in the gold bracket of the Prep Dig Gauntlet with the likes of 1st Alliance 16 Gold and MKE Sting 16 Gold. Their ball control really paces their game, starting with libero, Sydnie Hernandez who moves extremely well and always keeps a quiet platform - so efficient. A really dynamic athlete who has a high ceiling out of the middle is Rachel Ogunleye who can hit over the block, as well as set a strong block all across the net.   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> .<a href="https://x.com/TheAcademyVB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAcademyVB</a> 16 Yeti had a great weekend at the <a href="https://x.com/PrepDig?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepDig</a> Gauntlet! Check out the top performers! ⭐️ [player_tooltip player_id="171352" first="Ella" last="Guilfoy"] ⭐️ [player_tooltip player_id="112086" first="Sophie" last="Ledbetter"] ⭐️ [player_tooltip player_id="110491" first="Leah" last="Richmond"] ⭐️ [player_tooltip player_id="110512" first="Alaleh" last="Tolliver"] <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/academyuncommitted?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#academyuncommitted</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/academyfamily?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#academyfamily</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/academyproud?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#academyproud</a> <a href="https://t.co/b9hejZwVcb">pic.x.com/b9hejZwVcb</a> — The Academy Volleyball Club Recruiting (@TAVCRecruiting) <a href="https://x.com/TAVCRecruiting/status/1533522816825532417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Academy 16E Yeti - Indianapolis, IN This team is a dangerous matchup. Each time I saw them play, they were right there with some of the top teams and when they head to Orlando, they will be an open division threat. [player_tooltip player_id="110512" first="Alaleh" last="Tolliver"] and [player_tooltip player_id="112086" first="Sophie" last="Ledbetter"] are in the conversation for one of the top 1-2 combos on the pin. Tolliver is absolutely electric with an explosive approach and big time scoring abilities. Ledbetter can score, and is so solid with her ball control, practically automatic in sere receive. A setter who is rising on the radar is [player_tooltip player_id="110491" first="Leah" last="Richmond"] who has fast hands and plenty of athleticism to get to the ball. Another quietly effective libero who makes a big impact is [player_tooltip player_id="171352" first="Ella" last="Guilfoy"].   Northern Lights 16-1 - Minneapolis Metro - MN <img class=" wp-image-200391 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/06/DSC06052.jpg" alt="" width="410" height="273" /> This team is extremely gritty. They are also very dynamic with how many of their athletes can play multiple positions. Audrey Kocon is able to set, but at the Prep Dig Gauntlet, with Northern Lights being down a couple players she was hitting out of the middle, the right side, and played in the backrow. A complete package. They also have two really solid options for libero with [player_tooltip player_id="107900" first="Luca" last="Bredenberg"] (who can also play outside) as well as Meghan Roggenkamp. [player_tooltip player_id="135316" first="Paige" last="Wagner"] is a 6’3 dominant middle blocker and outside [player_tooltip player_id="107899" first="Avery" last="Jesewitz"] is one of the top 2024 outsides in Minnesota. With their ability to ball control along with their depth, they are built for a long run in 16 Open.   VC United 171 Elite - Rockford, IL This is an explosive team who has some big time point scoring pin along with steady and consistent contacts at every position. [player_tooltip player_id="138667" first="Lucy" last="Arndt"] (Southeast Missouri) and [player_tooltip player_id="91876" first="Cordelia" last="Kearns"] are two big arms on the pin where they can each play six rotations, making themselves a threat to score from everywhere. Setter [player_tooltip player_id="138665" first="Kylie" last="Schulze"] is a Loyola commit where she is a true quarterback for her squad. She has such a feel for the game where she knows how to get her attackers in a position to score points. Middle blocker, [player_tooltip player_id="91899" first="Gwen" last="Crull"], a Bowling Green commit has a scary upside where she continues to get better each time she’s on the court. She’s long, athletic, and is becoming a major offensive threat and defensive stopper.