Nike Cross Court Classic – 15 Open – Outsides
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One of the most traditional tournaments annually held in Houston, the Nike Cross Court Classic was played this past weekend at the George R. Brown Convention Center, in downtown, with as many as 675 teams getting on the court. The…
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Continue ReadingOne of the most traditional tournaments annually held in Houston, the Nike Cross Court Classic was played this past weekend at the George R. Brown Convention Center, in downtown, with as many as 675 teams getting on the court.
The gigantic tournament had 19 different divisions and Prep Dig was in attendance for the Saturday AM wave, paying special attention to the teams from the Lone Star State that were in action in the 15 Open and 16 Open divisions.
Several players stood out with strong performances for their teams and we’re taking the week to recognize each of them. Here are some outside hitters that competed in the 15 Open Division and played big roles for their teams:
Originally a setter, Carrasquillo spent some time playing as an outside hitter for Roots 151 Green and was easily one of the best in the position in the division. She was very productive in every area of the game and led her team at the net, using her length and power to score at a very high rate from the left and the right Carrasquillo also displayed good reading of the game and dropped from her position at the net to cover sharp angle and got some important digs. She also made a good impact on the backcourt, passing consistently, getting some digs and putting pressure on opponents with her tough floater.
Highlights
Hyde was the most reliable scorer in her Houston Stellar 16 Premier team on Saturday. Previously a middle, she has excellent athleticism and is hard to defend because of her great physical tools. Hyde not only makes contact with the ball at a very high point, but she swings it hard. Despite all her power, she’s very smart with her shot selection as well and does a very good job of switching gears and scoring with tips eventually, catching defenders off guard.
Highlights
Abby Bailey
Abby Bailey
Bailey was the main scoring option for her WD Nation 15 Blue team that made it to the golden bracket final. She used her size well, but most of her offensive efficiency came from her excellent decision-making at the net. Bailey can score in a variety of different ways, but was nearly unstoppable when she swung hard in the diagonal. She always looked very calm and confident on the court and sided out in key moments for her team.
Other Positional Breakdowns:
* Setters * Middles * Liberos * Right Sides
Although her TAV Houston 15 Adidas team that triumphed in the division is stacked everywhere, Lotspeich is a big part of it simply because it would be impossible to replace everything she brings to the court with a single player. Very technically sound, she masters every skill and plays a big role in the team’s backcourt, passing consistently well and making big plays on defense. Even if not very tall, Lotspeich plays big at the net too, jumping high and hitting aggressively every time she goes up. Her strong attitude on the court also helps set the tone for the team as she leads by example.
Highlights
Erin Goodson
Erin Goodson
Goodson was mostly used as a defensive specialist in her freshman season with her high school team Deer Park, but her performance with Houston Stellar 15 Elite at the Nike Cross Court Classic showed she’s more than ready to play as an outside hitter too. She was moved into the starting lineup due to the unavailability of Anna Kelly Anna Kelly 5’11” | OH Bridge City | 2026 State TX and responded well, providing the team with great stability at the back while also holding her own at the net. Goodson is very explosive with her approach, jumps well and is great at finding ways to score in difficult situations.