Players to highlight in Southern California
These five athletes to watch are from Southern California. Marai Guinyard (2024) | 5’4” | L/DS | AeroMarai Guinyard reels in serves unlike many at her position and releases those volleyballs back to the setter. Guinyard jumps eagerly toward the…
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Continue ReadingThese five athletes to watch are from Southern California.
Marai Guinyard (2024) | 5’4” | L/DS | Aero
Marai Guinyard reels in serves unlike many at her position and releases those volleyballs back to the setter. Guinyard jumps eagerly toward the ball as a serve is hit to her and has great anticipation. This leadership toward taking the ball is also found early and often with communication of calling seams. It is wonderful to watch her communication followed up with action toward the ball making her even more of a leader than the initial directing of traffic within the seams. It is also great to watch her scoop up a ball when diving and that sets her apart.
Omega Smith (2023) | 5’11” | MB | AV Impact
If sets were jumping fish, the action of Omega Smith would be reeling in quite a few to hit and release back to the defense. She adapts very well to a variety of set locations and once she is in the air she slams a ball down similar to the motion of casting a pole into the water. Smith also has a quick reaction with any ball just popping in over the net and she assures that ball will score a point more often than not.
Jaylee Gilmore (2026) | 5’7” | OH/MB |
Wearing the number two, Jayleee Gilmore gives the best of her upper body with an arm swing to make a victory sign after her attack attempts. Gilmore really uses all of her arm to drive a ball to the other side. Waiting as long as she can for a ball above her waist, she uses her size to her advantage. Look for this outside hitter to make splashes in the years to come.
Ava Hartman (2026) | 5’7” | S/DS | TStreet
Ava Hartman can set a ball quite a long distance traveling in the air. With a keen eye, she also seems to have an innate ability to set the available hitter with the least amount of blockers. Her leadership style truly keeps the team tightly knit together with open, inclusive communication. That leadership is followed up by an attitude of seeing the ball and going to get the ball.
Jazmine Banks (2023) | 5’5” | DS/L |
With the space between three people in a serve receive formation, Jazmine Banks moves quickly and strongly to keep up like in a fast-moving river bank. She is also a patient defender that looks past deceptive attacks and finds those offspeed hits to pick up before hitting the floor. She is unafraid to get as dirty, as one might get on a river bank, to hit the floor and dive. When Banks go to bump set a second ball, she lets loose and casts a highly accurate set.