Rising Stock in 17’s Open at President’s Day Classic
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The Asics President’s Day Classic in Omaha kicks off this weekend at three different venues hosting Nebraska’s biggest tournament of the year. Play begins on Saturday with pool play and finishes up with bracket play on Monday. Here is a…
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Continue ReadingThe Asics President’s Day Classic in Omaha kicks off this weekend at three different venues hosting Nebraska’s biggest tournament of the year. Play begins on Saturday with pool play and finishes up with bracket play on Monday. Here is a look at some players to keep an eye on for 17’s Open Division this weekend.
5’6” Setter Kyla Dyrstad Kyla Dyrstad 5'6" | S Papillion-La Vista South | 2024 State NE for Premier Nebraska 17 Black: She makes setting look so effortless. Her hands are so soft and has an amazing touch on any ball. Whether she is setting a quick to the middle or a ball to the pin it is put right where the hitters want it. Kyla covers her hitters well too. She had 31 ace serves, 211 digs and 581 set assists for the State Champion Papillion LaVista South Titans this past fall.
5’6” Setter/DS Aaliyah Bradford Aaliyah Bradford 5'4" | S Lincoln Southwest | 2024 State NE for Premier Nebraska 17 Black: Bradford is super versatile as she sets and also plays defensive specialist. She allows so many more opportunities for out of system balls because of her defensive play. SHe had 1066 set assists for the Lincoln East Spartans this past fall. She reads her hitters well and is flying all over the floor to keep rallies going.
5’10” Outside Hitter Eleanor Brislen Eleanor Brislen 5'11" | OH Omaha Westside | 2024 State NE for Premier Nebraska 17 Black: Brislen has a great nose for blocking and has a great reach. Her step close on the pin hit is so fast and powerful. She is an under the radar player to keep an eye on as she did some great things at the 250 Expo in LaVista in December and has had a solid start to her club season. She was a part of the 2022 Class A State Runner-Up Westside Warriors and had 88 kills for the Warriors this past fall.
6’0” MIddle Blocker Ava Stone Ava Stone 6'0" | MB Elkhorn South | 2025 State NE for Nebraska Elite 16 Maverick: Only a sophomore and playing in 17 Open, Stone hammered 112 kills for the Elkhorn South Storm this past fall. She has long levers and blocks really well. She will be a force as she gets stronger and more developed. She brings a lot of energy to the floor as well.
6’0” Outside Hitter Elizabeth Layson Elizabeth Layson 6'0" | OH Omaha Duchesne | 2025 State NE for Nebraska Elite 16 Maveric: Layson has a hammer and can fly at the outside pin. She had 198 kills and 38 aces this past fall for Omaha Duschene and was a captain for the Cardinals as a sophomore. She is super athletic, strong and transitions really well on the left pin. Layson also can hit well from the middle. Really love watching her fly around and hammer balls from wherever!
6’0” Setter Peyton Meyer Peyton Meyer 6'0" | S Westside | 2025 State NE for Nebraska Elite 16 Maverick: Meyer is a strong setter and can move well. She is an offensive threat from the front row and is not afraid to dump the ball or send it long. Meyer will also swing away on a good pass. She has a ton of potential and has backed up and learned from one of the best in Reese Booth Reese Booth 5'7" | S Elkhorn North | 2024 State NE from Elkhorn North. Looking forward to watching her grow and make her own way!
5’8” DS/Libero Isabel Junior Isabel Junior 5'8" | DS/L Elkhorn South | 2025 State NE for Nebraska Elite 16 Maverick: Junior reads her hitters well and is all over the floor. She had 238 digs and 34 ace serves for the Elkhorn South Storm last season. She does an excellent job of getting platform to target on some of the toughest balls. She is a tough out if you are a pin hitter that likes to hit cross court or line because she digs so well from left back and runs through balls effortlessly. Keep an eye on her as she continues to emerge!
President’s Day Classic is always a great tournament with lots of action at all age levels! Keep an eye on this division for those future stars that begin to emerge!