16 Sweet Performances From California Athletes at WCNQ
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On a dreary weekend in Chicagoland, the California clubs brought plenty of athletic abilities that were shining on the court. As someone based out of the Midwest, it is so exciting to see California teams come to the area. Those…
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Continue ReadingOn a dreary weekend in Chicagoland, the California clubs brought plenty of athletic abilities that were shining on the court. As someone based out of the Midwest, it is so exciting to see California teams come to the area. Those 8 AM matches have to be rough for them, but the level of skill and athleticism is sure a treat for these teams from the rest of the country to compete against.
As for this article? I am talking about the California athletes that maybe aren’t on the national radar to those from the Midwest. Julia Blyashov Julia Blyashov 6'3" | OH Cathedral Catholic | 2023 State #3 Nation CA , the outside hitter from Wave and the Stanford commit, has been a standout at the national level and with the Team USAV Youth National teams. The same can be said about Olivia Babcock Olivia Babcock 6'3" | OH Sierra Canyon | 2023 State #13 Nation CA , and Torrey Stafford Torrey Stafford 6'0" | OH Marymount | 2023 State #20 Nation CA , the dynamic duo from Sunshine who are heading to Pitt where they have an incredibly high ceiling for the next level. Here are some California athletes those on the West Coast as well as the rest of the country need to know about.
Cayla Payne Cayla Payne 6'3" | MB Carlsbad | 2023 State #131 Nation CA – Wave 18 Juliana
Middle Blocker – Committed to Colorado
When I picture an athlete who can contribute at the PAC-12 level, I see that in Cayla Payne Cayla Payne 6'3" | MB Carlsbad | 2023 State #131 Nation CA . At 6’4, Payne has the size and length to dominate the middle, but she moves extremely well. She’s a fast twitch type of middle blocker where she transitions well to be available for her setter. Her efficiency is incredibly high when she can attack off one foot. She’s big time. When she is scoring out of the middle, that leaves the pins wide open to do damage with Blyashov and Texas commit, Auburn Tomkinson Auburn Tomkinson 6'4" | RS Carlsbad | 2023 State #54 Nation CA on the right side.
Grace Thrower Grace Thrower OH Harvard-Westlake | 2023 CA – Sunshine 18 LA
Pin Hitter – Committed to Duke
Thrower became an X-Factor for Sunshine this weekend when she was keeping the defense off guard with how she could hit a variety of shots. The other side of the net will key on Babcock and Stafford where Thrower is one who really does some damage. She has a diverse front row skill set where she can attack and score from any position. I was able to see her turn it down the line, go hard cross, and roll it over the block to score points where the defense was always guessing.
Noemie Glover Noemie Glover 6'1" | RS Cathedral Catholic | 2023 State #128 Nation CA – Coast 18-1
Right Side – Committed to Oregon
Yes, Glover might be in the category of the obvious ones who are going to be a top player in an event, but this was my first time seeing her live and I was blown away. A six rotation right side who moves extremely well and has blend of finesse and power. Glover will head to Oregon and will fit in their scheme extremely well who can pass all the way around and is so dynamic as an attacker. Her athleticism is elite. She was a key piece to Coast this past weekend in Chicago. They didn’t earn a bid this weekend, but they will be in contention for every tournament they compete in.
JoAnn Ferro – SG Elite 18 Roshambo
Middle Blocker
Ferro is long and athletic, making an impact for her Roshambo team in the 18 Liberty Division. She is able to move quickly laterally and finds a way to be available for her setter. She can throw, tip and find the deeper corner. She was finding multiple ways to score points and be a force at the net this weekend.
Emma Donley – Rage Westside 18 Michelle
Outside Hitter – Committed to Cal
I was watching this Rage Westside squad on Saturday night and kept thinking, “Who is this kid?”. At 6’4, long coordinator, and a really heavy swing I knew she had to be heading somewhere and looks like she will be a Cal Bear, but is also a big time beach player. Not surprising. Donley can serve receive, pass, and hits a really heavy ball – so dynamic. The other side of the net has to know where she is at all the time. This Rage squad is currently in the USA semifinals where they have a really balanced team and a go to point scorer with Donley.
Jaida Sione Jaida Sione 6'2" | OH Sierra Canyon | 2023 CA – Sunshine 18 Westside
Outside Hitter – Committed to Cornell
Sione has the athleticism and apparently the academics where she will be heading to the Ivy League to play at Cornell. This Sunshine Westside team had been dominant all weekend and Sione is a big reason behind their success. She packs a punch with her swing and is extremely athletic and physical. What is enjoyable about her game is that she is very business like, stoic, she gets it done for her team. This team is going to win a lot of matches this year and could match up with plenty of open teams.
Alexandra Farquhar – Absolute 18 Black
Right Side – Committed to Harvard
Another California athlete heading Ivy League. Farquhar is committed to Harvard, she’ll head to the opposite coast to continue her volleyball career. This past weekend she was causing a lot of damage on the right side. She’s 6’3, left handed, and has a huge swing – it’s tough for the other side of the net to receive the ball cleanly from one of her swings to stay in system. She also puts up a big block for the opposing outside hitter making her a tough mismatch.
Emma McDermott – Absolute 18 Black
Outside Hitter – Committed to UCSB
Speed doesn’t slump. That’s how Emma McDermott plays where she has a lot of speed and can run a quick tempo on the outside. With her fast arm swing, she is tough to defend because her shots aren’t always predictable. She can take different approach routes, turn her wrist thumb down for a sharp cross, or use the block to her advantage. As a six rotation player, she is a solid outlet out of the backrow and out of system. This is a great local get for UCSB.
Sydney Floyd Sydney Floyd 5'9" | S Vista Mar | 2023 State CA – Sunshine 18 LA
Setter – Committed to South Carolina
Sunshine had a must win match against Coast. Every match in their day two gauntlet pool was a must win, but there was a matchup that was particularly intriguing and when it comes down to a matter of points it makes a huge impact. Sydney Floyd Sydney Floyd 5'9" | S Vista Mar | 2023 State CA was in the backrow while powerhouse rightside attacker Noemie Glover Noemie Glover 6'1" | RS Cathedral Catholic | 2023 State #128 Nation CA of Coast was in the front row on the right side. She was able to dig Glover and keep the ball in a spot where their libero who set their pins out of system to score points. This resulted in points for Sunshine, but gave them so much momentum. Those swings were coming with so much pace, but for Floyd, she was not only getting her attackers in position to score, but her defensive play as a setter was top notch.
Amrit Dhaliwal – Absolute 18 Black
Middle Blocker – Committed to Cornell
There was a series of plays when Absolute middle blocker, Amrit Dhaliwal was an absolute force at the net. Long, athletic, and strong – Dhaliwal is able to establish position and be a very forceful blocker where she can take up plenty of space with her hands. She is very athletic and mobile which makes her very dynamic in how she can attack.
Chianti (Curly) Raddavero – Rage Westside 18 Michelle
Outside Hitter
Raddavero is extremely explosive from the outside and packs a punch. Teams will key on big attacker for Westside, Emma Donley, but they cannot sleep on Raddavero. She is extremely fast to the ball and aggressive with her arm swing where she’s not afraid to go after the split in the block, she’s fearless.
Zoe Rachow Zoe Rachow 5'11" | S Otay Ranch | 2023 State #141 Nation CA – Coast 18-1
Setter – Committed to Tulane
I was so impressed with Rachow. She is such a leader on the court and has great command among her teammates. This Coast team also has plenty of options when it comes to attackers. She has the responsibility to find the hot hand and get her attackers in place to score points. She can set all the way around and is a physical player at the net as well. I think there are big things ahead for this team this season.
McKenna Edwards McKenna Edwards 5'10" | S Village Christian | 2024 CA – SG Elite 18 Roshambo
Setter
Edwards is another setter who owned the court, her teammates looked to her for everything, and she was always making contact with them whether it was a high five or a quick conversation. She has a lot of physicality and athleticism where she’s not afraid to take it on her own either.
Drew Wright Drew Wright 5'11" | OH Mira Costa | 2023 State CA – Sunshine 18 LA
Libero – Committed to Northwestern
All of these teams at the 18 Open level have liberos who are at a different level. Drew Wright Drew Wright 5'11" | OH Mira Costa | 2023 State CA fits into that category for Sunshine where she provides a solid first contact for a high powered Sunshine squad. She got to play in her future home area where she will attend Northwestern University in Evanston, IL on the North side of Chicago. Wright has a style where she keeps things incredibly simple. She has a quiet platform, her movement is efficient, and makes a lot of tough plays look effortless.
Havannah Hoeft – Rage Westside 18 Michelle
Setter
Hoeft might not be the setter who is going to dunk it on the second contact, but she runs a great tempo with her attackers. There were plenty of times I saw she was able to get a one on one or even a one on none. She receives the ball incredibly neutral and teams are guessing where she is going. She can hold the middle and at the last moment, kick it to the outside or set it behind. Very exciting athlete with solid intangibles as well.