Volleypalooza Champions – Cornerstone Christian Warriors
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The Volleypalooza tournament was held at a few of the Central Texas high school gyms this weekend August 25-27th. There were 68 of the most talented teams from across the state competing in this awesome tournament. This is widely regarded…
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Continue ReadingThe Volleypalooza tournament was held at a few of the Central Texas high school gyms this weekend August 25-27th. There were 68 of the most talented teams from across the state competing in this awesome tournament. This is widely regarded as the toughest tournament in the nation. It proved to be one fantastic weekend of competition for everyone. I was super happy to have been there in person to witness the best battle the best. The cream of the crop rise on day three in the Gold bracket and there were some amazing matches. Only one team can be crowned as champion though. Please help us congratulate the Volleypalooza Champions, Cornerstone Christian.
This team is stacked with NCAA Division I talent all over its roster. They showed just how talented they are by going through the first two pools undefeated without dropping a set. Their biggest test came in the first round of the Gold bracket when they went up against the uber athletic Cypress Ranch squad. This was the only time that they were truly tested to three sets. Both teams stood toe to toe in the center of the ring and traded power punches all match long. Cornerstone won the three-setter (22-25, 25-20, 26-24). It was probably the best overall match of the tourney and some say it could have been the finals if they were on different sides of the bracket. They then faced last year’s 6A State runner up Keller who battled them pretty well. Cornerstone would eventually come out on top (25-19, 25-23). This set them up against another private school with a star-studded roster, Prestonwood Christian. The championship match had its moments of awesomeness but Cornerstone was just too much for their opponent as they won the title in straight sets (25-21, 25-15).
While we could mention something about every player, these are the players who stood out the most while I watched.
Nayeli Gonzalez Nayeli Gonzalez 6'2" | MB Cornerstone Christian | 2023 State #35 Nation TX [2023] 6-2 Outside (HS: Cornerstone Christian/Club: Alamo/Verbal: Iowa State University)
Nayeli is currently ranked as the 3rd best overall prospect in the 2023 class in the entire state of Texas. She is also listed as the 30th best overall prospect in the nation according to our national rankings. She plays at Cornerstone Christian High School and also the famed Alamo club program out of the San Antonio area. We have covered her a few times over the last couple of years during club and she has only gotten better and better. The amount of power that this young woman has in her entire body is amazing. She already plays the game at a college level and it is so much fun to watch. I almost feel sorry for the ball as her heavy hand makes contact with it. Her presence was felt on both sides as she was a blocking machine while playing middle during certain rotations. Offensively she was a juggernaut as she unleashed bomb after bomb on her opponent. She was named to the All-Tournament team as the best blocker.
Taylor Anderson Taylor Anderson 6'0" | S Cornerstone Christian | 2023 State #21 Nation TX [2023] 6-0 Setter/Right Side (HS: Cornerstone Christian/Club: Alamo/Verbal: Purdue University)
Taylor is currently ranked as the 6th best overall prospect and top setter in the 2023 class in the entire state of Texas. She is also listed as the 26th best overall prospect in the nation according to our national rankings. She plays at Cornerstone Christian High School and also the famed Alamo club program out of the San Antonio area. Taylor was masterful moving the ball around to her teammates. She delivered some beautiful sets all over the court and looked so smooth doing it. Her athleticism was on full display as she tracked down every ball from her passers really well. Since Cornerstone runs a six-two offense, she stays in the front row as an attacker/blocker and she is extremely effective at both. She showed a lot of explosiveness off of the ground on the right side and shut down a lot of opposing left sides. As she rises up so high, she is able to press and seal the net so well so that there is very little space for a hitter to attack. She also uses her lightning quick arm as a hitter and scores efficiently for her squad. Miss Anderson earned Most Valuable Player for the tournament.
Alyssa Manitzas Alyssa Manitzas 5'2" | DS/L Cornerstone | 2023 State #85 Nation TX [2023] 5-0 Libero (HS: Cornerstone Christian/Club: Alamo/Verbal: Notre Dame)
Alyssa is currently ranked as the 4th best overall prospect and top libero in the 2023 class in the entire state of Texas. She plays at Cornerstone Christian High School and also the famed Alamo club program out of the San Antonio area. If I was walking in a dark alley and had to have someone with me as protection, I would choose Alyssa every day and twice on Sundays. This young lady is a pitbull and afraid of nothing. She routinely pushes her body beyond its limits and lays out if need be to keep the rally going. I love how she collapses while digging hard driven balls to soften the contact. Her defense is top notch and I would put her against any libero in the country. Her volleyball IQ is off the charts and you can see it as she always is one step ahead of everyone on the defensive end. She has ice running through her veins during tight moments and hardly ever succumbs to pressure. Her efforts on defense were one of the main reasons why this team won the title.
They play an independent schedule and travel a lot for tournaments. It is my contention that they are one of the best teams in the nation and they should be able to prove it as they battle others from across the country this season. Whoever should win the UIL 6A State title should thank the heavens that they don’t have to face this squad. Other notable standouts for this team during the tournament were super sophomore outside hitter Megan Fitch Megan Fitch 6'1" | OH Cornerstone Christian | 2025 State #43 Nation TX , junior right side Grace Carroll Grace Carroll 6'5" | RS Cornerstone | 2024 State #21 Nation TX , senior middle Hannah Spencer and senior outside Rylee Busse Rylee Busse 5'10" | OH Cornerstone Christian | 2023 State TX .
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