Dynamic Performers from WCPL Seeding Weekend: Class of 2025

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>Windy City Power League 15/16 Open-Seeding Weekend</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>This last weekend all over the Chicagoland area, clubs hosted the first weekend of Windy City Power League for the combined 15s and 16s Open division. For many teams, this was their first weekend out in a competition setting. Taking the opportunity in this first weekend of play, many did not disappoint. These players took advantage of establishing the pace of this year's power league play:</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#16, [player_tooltip player_id='288647' first='Aniya' last='Warren'], Libero (1st Alliance 16 Gold)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aniya was one of the most composed liberos in 15/16 Open Windy City Power League this past weekend. She helped lead her team to a 7-0 weekend. She took complete control of the backcourt in both defense and on serve receive. Averaging about 5 digs per set, Aniya has a gritty yet approachable personality. She is not afraid to show her pursuit to keep the ball off the ground throughout long rallies. In serve receive, her quick and aggressive angles generate a very strong platform giving her setters a perfect pass in the pocket. Passing a 2.2 average, she brings consistency across the board. If you get the chance to watch 16 Gold, the cohesiveness is evident. Much of that cohesion and smooth play is because of Aniya and her style of play. She brings discipline and effortless athleticism to the team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#7, [player_tooltip player_id='288634' first='Hannah' last='Kenny'], Setter/Opposite (1st Alliance 16 Gold)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='288634' first='Hannah' last='Kenny'] is a phenomenal all-around player. Taking hold of 16 Golds' first tournament this season, Kenny showed how athletic she is. On the court next to her teammates, Kenny's size might not match up, but her power and efficiency sure do. When setting, she shows how dynamic she is with her ability to transfer the ball to any hitter she finds. She is very efficient when she takes hold of the offense by using her IQ and court vision. Not only does her setting consistency bring out the dynamic player she is, but Kenny is also an offensive threat. Her hand contact and wrist control allow her to place the ball anywhere. With the developed vision from setting, it's clear it carries over into her offense too. Finally, combining her vision with her IQ as a setter, she found herself as one of the most efficient hitters this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#72, [player_tooltip player_id='304531' first='Siena' last='Smiejek'], Middle Blocker ([program_tooltip program_id='432009' first='Sky' last='High'] Adidas 16 Elite)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smiejek is a 6' middle blocker whose power helped her team to a 6-0 start to their power league play. Offensively, her quick arm swing beats any block that tries to front her. If a block does front her, the power behind her swing is unstoppable and difficult to dig. Equally important, she drives hard on her approach while carefully tracking the pass or dig location. With this consistent drive, she is always an offensive option. Additionally, she works hard pulling the block for her pins, showing how great of a teammate she is. She keeps her focus during long rallies, and understands her defensive role as a middle blocker too. She takes on an equally aggressive role as the first line of defense. Always working hard to close blocks, her quick hands quickly take up space along the net. Her upper body strength is what brings in her points though. Her strong hold on her block makes it hard for any defense to cover their hitters against her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#9, [player_tooltip player_id='311320' first='Isabella' last='McKinney'], Opposite Hitter ([program_tooltip program_id='430006' first='Illini' last='Elite'] 16 Cardinal)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standing at 5'11” [player_tooltip player_id='311320' first='Isabella' last='McKinney'] was a huge asset for [program_tooltip program_id='430006' first='Illini' last='Elite'] 16 Cardinal this weekend. Dominant with her left hand, she brings the consistency to take big swings on either pin she finds herself on. Utilizing her great vision along the front row, she excels both offensively and defensively. Her wrist control and hand contact allow her to aggressively swing around any block that's in front of her. However, her front-row swings are so effective due to her natural whip of an arm swing, however, her athleticism and impressive play doesn't stop there. For example, she has a heavy topspin serve that can chip away at opposing serve-receive passers. Similar to her high extension in the front row, her topspin is an aggressive part of her game. Lastly, the left-handed snap of her wrist creates difficult-to-track movement from her serve. It's going to be exciting to follow McKinney throughout her club season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->