A look into this season’s 2022 Mother McAuley Asics Challenge
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Mother McAuley will host their annual Asics Challenge with over 20 teams from 6 different states today and tomorrow. The tournament has been taking place each fall for a while now, each season they invite teams that make the tournament…
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Continue ReadingMother McAuley will host their annual Asics Challenge with over 20 teams from 6 different states today and tomorrow. The tournament has been taking place each fall for a while now, each season they invite teams that make the tournament one of the strongest and most competitive high school tournaments to be hosted in the state of Illinois. The tournament brings in some of the top programs from Iowa, Nebraska, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Louisiana, and Illinois in it.
Today, September, 30th will commence pool play for the tournament, which consists of 8, three-team pools. Following gameplay tonight, teams from each pool will then be placed into Gold, Silver, and Bronze bracket play for Saturday. Each year, this tournament brings in amazing athletes from all over the midwest and gives them the opportunity to compete against each other. Many of which are uncommitted and still looking for their best fit for playing at the next level. Here are five uncommitted 2024’s to keep an eye on this weekend who will be competing in Mother McAuley’s Asics challenge:
Charlotte Moriarty Charlotte Moriarty 5'10" | OH Assumption | 2024 State #170 Nation KY – Outside Hitter (Assumption High School)
Charlotte is a huge piece of Assumptions success this season with her quick arm swing from anywhere on the court. Her consistent play continues into the backcourt with her aggressive reads and plays she makes on defense. She is second on the team for digs with 235 on the season so far, averaging 3.3 digs per set as a middle-back defender. She has a huge presence on the court, especially with the way she is able to score in the front row as a hitter and blocker. Her block is quick to press, putting hands in the face of her hitter and limiting many of their attacking options.
Samantha Falk Samantha Falk DS/L Mother McAuley | 2024 State IL – Defensive Specialist/Libero (Mother McAuley High School)
Sam’s body control and spatial awareness of her on the court allow her to give her setters nothing but quality digs. Sam contributes an average of 4.1 digs per set for McAuley and is currently second on the team for digs on the season with 146 digs. What makes Sam unique is her great read on hitters and ability to quickly place herself in the best position to make a play on the swing no matter the direction it goes on her. She does a great job of making quick moves to put up a perfectly located ball for her setters to get to so they can run their offense. No matter where she is or how far she is going to save a ball, she understands the correct angle and moves to get the ball where it needs to go.
Lauren Salata Lauren Salata 5'9" | OH Nazareth | 2024 State IL – Setter/Outside Hitter (Nazareth Academy)
Lauren Salata Lauren Salata 5'9" | OH Nazareth | 2024 State IL is a 5’10” junior setter and an outside hitter, who currently leading Nazareth Academy’s offensive production with an average of 4.3 kills per set. Salata is willing to take on whatever role is needed for her team to succeed which is what makes her such a well-rounded player with a great volleyball IQ. With her knowledge of the sport as a setter, she utilizes her great vision and quick thinking to put the ball anywhere she sees an open place on the court. She leads the team in scoring for the season so far, with 147 kills.
Jenny Perkins- Setter (New Trier High School)
Jenny Perkins has taken on an exciting role for New Trier this season, as she has taken charge of running their offense. Her great body control and quick feet help her run an efficient offense. What makes Perkins stand out the most, however, is her great defensive plays as she isn’t afraid to step up on a big hitter and steal a kill away from them. She does a phenomenal job of understanding her role as a defender in the backcourt before releasing to set-making New Trier’s defense stronger.
Ella Herrmann- Defensive Specialist/Libero (Montini Catholic High School)
Ella Herrmann’s aggressive defensive moves and reads are what extend Montini’s rallies and always keep the ball in play. Ella maintains a strong but composed court presence, which has progressively made Montini’s serve receive consistent for their offense to be run effectively in system. Always generating great energy for her teammates on the court, Ella has 138 digs on the season so far and continues to rack up more digs in each match she plays. Her willingness to learn and be coached is what makes her a player to keep an eye on, as her athleticism and relentlessness show just how much she is capable of on the court.