Preview: 2022 Tae Kim Lakewood/Molten Classic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Which team will take the title at the 2022 Tae Kim Lakewood/Molten Classic? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thirty-six teams across three divisions from all over southern California will battle it out over two Saturdays for the title. There are 12 teams in each division, with powerhouse programs Long Beach Poly, Lakewood, and Huntington Beach competing in Division I.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Division I</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Division I will no doubt be full of the top-notch competition, with several teams having a viable shot at winning it all. Top contenders include Huntington Beach, Lakewood, and Long Beach Poly with Cypress and Torrance also being in the hunt. Huntinton Beach had a stellar season last year and opened up this season by winning the Oxnard Invitational. They were Returning for the oilers is junior outside hitter, [player_tooltip player_id='161767' first='Haylee' last='LaFontaine'], who was the Daily Pilot Dream Team and Surf League MVP last season. She has recently committed to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for beach. Huntington Beach setter, Dani Sparks, who is coincidentally also LaFontaine's beach partner and is also committed to Cal Poly SLO for beach, dishes out hittable sets to all her attackers with precision. Lakewood lost some key seniors to graduation but is still loaded with talent and has a very strong core. On the outside, [player_tooltip player_id='161764' first='Samarah' last='DaCoud'] is sure to be a big point scorer for them. She is committed to the University of New Mexico. The Lancers also have San Diego State commit, setter Fatimah Hall. Hall runs a smooth offense and has great court awareness, often setting up her hitters in great positions to score. Lakewood also has superb defense and serve receive passing from their libero, Courtni Youngblood who is committed to UC Santa Barbara.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long Beach Poly will be&nbsp; looking to make their mark early in the season. Middle blocker Imajaleah Goggins is solid at the net, stopping attackers with her block. The jackrabbits also have a solid foundation of passing from&nbsp; libero Taylor Mercado. Traditionally, Poly has always had a strong program and they will be looking to return to the top of the Moore league this season. They will be looking to try to utilize Halie McGinest to her fullest potential as well too. McGinest can set and hit which makes her twice as dangerous to opponents. Another program to keep an eye on this tournament is Cypress. Cypress has a powerful pin in outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='162759' first='Zoey' last='Henson'], who can terminate from anywhere on the court. While powerful, Henson is also crafty, utilizing her court vision and beach experience to score with shots as well. Henson is committed to the University of Washington for beach volleyball. The Centurions also have a terrific setter/opposite in Enaya Vaielua, who can set and hit. Pin hitter Keira Roberts is also one to watch. While a bit undersized, she has a great vertical and quick arm swing and is an effective scorer. Torrance could also come out strong at this tournament. Coming off a semifinal finish at the Queens Court tournament, Torrance is eager to win it all. Although they lost some key seniors that were part of last year's CIF winning team, they have still have 6'4” Kalyssa Blackshear, who stops hitters in their tracks at the net. She's an up and coming underclassman and one to watch.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Division II</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Division II, players to watch include El Segundo's 6' outside hitter,&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='163277' first='Marly' last='Smith'], who has a very dynamic approach and jumps very well touching over 10'. She generates a lot of power in her approach and arm swing and will terminate at the net. Smith is committed to Villanova. West Torrance's super lefty, Abby Witzansky, is superb on the right side putting up a big block and scoring with that crafty lefty swing. Millikan has a trio of players to watch in setter Alessia Filocamo, middle blocker Aaliyah Fasavalu, and pin hitter Elle Lundahl. Filocamo is quick and smart, often putting her hitters in great one-on-one situations. Fasavalu has been injury plagued in the past but when healthy, she's a high flying and very athletic middle, capable of shutting hitters down with her blocking. Lundahl can do it all, she's a smart and spunky pin hitter who can play left or right. Lundahl was a Press-Telegram All Area Dream Team selectio last season. Long Beach Wilson's 6'2” outside hitter, Chloe Pravednikov, is also one to keep an eye on. Pravednikov utilizes her length, jumps well, and hits high. She's a solid 6-rotation outside that can be an outlet for her team. She's coming off a strong club season and ready to make her mark.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->