Best of the West: California 15 Open Standouts at GJNC
Being based out of the Midwest, I don’t always get the opportunity to watch a lot of California volleyball, and when I do – it’s a true treat. There is something a little different about the California style where these…
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Continue ReadingBeing based out of the Midwest, I don’t always get the opportunity to watch a lot of California volleyball, and when I do – it’s a true treat. There is something a little different about the California style where these teams are so sound defensively. These athletes are playing year round from the hard court to the beach and some of these playmakers just make it look easy. I spent plenty of time on the 15 Open courts GJNC Nationals in Indianapolis and was able to see top performances from the California kids! Some of these athletes will be at the top of their class. Here are some top athletes and performances of California athletes at USAV Nationals.
USAV 2022 – Day 1 – 15 Open/National Photos
USAV 2022 – Day 2 – 15 Open
Photo Gallery – 15s Championship Thursday
Fitting that Kaci Demaria Kaci Demaria 6'3" | OH Palos Verdes | 2025 State #7 Nation CA finishes the point to seal the three set win for Surfside in 15 Open play pic.twitter.com/LbElX4GtfC
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) June 28, 2022
Kaci Demaria Kaci Demaria 6'3" | OH Palos Verdes | 2025 State #7 Nation CA – Surfside 15 PV Legends
Outside Hitter
I saw Demaria play a little at Triple Crown and to see her again at GJNC was a delight as she was one of the top outside hitters in the 15 Open field. Demaria is 6’3 and brings so much physicality and athleticism to all six rotations. Surfside advanced to the challenge matches, placing in the top 24. Demaria was served at all throughout the event. She was also taking a bulk of the swings in the front and backrow. She continued to find ways to score. What was also impressive was for as much of the serve receive and swings she needed to take, she has incredible intangibles on the court with such positive body language and connects with her teammates.
Jenny Li – Coast 15-1
Middle Blocker
Li continued to come up big at big times for Coast during the tournament. Her ability to transition and be available out of the middle gave her plenty of one on one opportunities to score points. However, one of my favorite moments was when she went back to serve her rotation and came up with some huge digs. Her teammates were so fired up for her when she returned to the bench. This goes to show how important it is for all athletes to be able to ball control and how much momentum that can provide for the team.
Ava Poinsett – Coast 15-1
Outside Hitter
Poinsett would be in the category of top outside hitters in the event where teams were scheming their defense to stop her. Whether it was on the outside or backrow, Poinsett was able to have really solid hand contact where she puts a lot of pop on the ball no matter where she is. As these 15s transition to the next level, being able to score out of system is going to be extremely key. For Poinsett, she has the IQ and the skill set to know when to rip and when to keep the play going for one more rally. A really fun athlete to watch.
Paullina Baillie – Coast 15-1
Libero
A major spark for Coast, she was the energizer where she kept going and going. Baillie was relentless in the backrow where she was able to anticipate the next play, always finding herself in position. With a quiet platform in serve receive to picking things up during a scramble she always found a way to better the ball. She even has an effective top spin jump serve as well. She is from the Class of 2024 – college coaches give her a call.
Quinn Loper – Tstreet 15-Curtis
Outside Hitter
Loper brings a quick twitch, athletic style to the court as a six rotation outside. At 6’1, a fast approach, and a high contact point she can find a way to score a lot of points at a high level. She is also someone who can serve receive and attack out of the backrow. Her versatile skill set allows her to do a lot of different things for her team where she can power on the left side, come in with a two ball out of the middle or score out of the right from serve receive.
Lucy Chertock and Abigail Krause – NorCal 15 Black
Outside Hitter
This combo of athletes with Chertock and Krause were fun to watch for NorCal throughout the event. They play with aggressiveness, no fear, and go for it when it comes to taking a big rip on the ball. NorCal was a gritty team all week, picking up some big wins, especially against Legacy who won the 15 Open AAU National Title. The intangibles these two bring to the court represents NorCal in a nutshell where they are going to flat out compete and get after it.
Sydney Raszewski – Mizuno Long Beach 15 Rockstar
Raszewski was one of the liberos for Mizuno LB, where she moves extremely well on the court. She can make the adjustments based on what the other side is doing and finds a way to make a positive touch. This team was extremely organized defensively and Raszewski was one of the key parts to this defense.
Layli Ostovar – Mizuno Long Beach 15 Rockstar
Ostovar is actually from the Class of 2026 playing up. What is most impressive about Ostovar is her footwork in her attacking, especially out of system. She stays behind the ball and is fast to attack, it’s a fundamental tutorial for athletes on the pin. What was also impressive was her ability to score from multiple positions on the court. She could find the angles on the outside, run a two ball out of the middle to find the deep corner, and was always an outlet in the backrow.
Isabella Ehrlich – Absolute 15 Black
The first time I saw Ehrlich run the slide I wasn’t even on the Absolute 15 Black court. I saw her a court away and was amazed with her athleticism. Ehrlich has to be around 6’2 (could not find an official height), but she has to be one who is touching the rim on her approach. Long, athletic, and approaches with a purpose. Absolute had some close matches throughout the whole event and Ehrlich came up huge in crucial times with her ability to find the open corner or make a presence with her block.
Mae Kordas – Wave 15 Scott
For only being at the 15s level, Kordas has such a heavy swing. There is a lot of spice on that ball which makes it really difficult for the other side to handle it cleanly, staying in system. At 6’2 and nearly touching ten feet, Kordas is going to one to keep tabs on over the next year because she has the ability to be one of the top attackers on the West Coast. She can play six rotations, score on both pins, and is an outlet out of the backrow.