Windy City Qualifier – Texas Setters to Watch
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The qualifying season continues at full pace as teams from all around the country attempt to secure their spots in the 2023 USA Girls Junior National Championship. Texas club teams are no exceptions, as they are flying all across the…
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Continue ReadingThe qualifying season continues at full pace as teams from all around the country attempt to secure their spots in the 2023 USA Girls Junior National Championship. Texas club teams are no exceptions, as they are flying all across the nation to play in those events and book their tickets to Chicago from June 28-July6.
This coming weekend will present several opportunities with National Qualifiers taking place in different locations and among them is the traditional Adidas Windy City National Qualifier, which will be held at McCormick Place, in Chicago, from Friday to Sunday.
Several teams from the Lone Star State will make the trip up North and we’ll preview the tournament by featuring some of the players who will have key roles with their teams. Here are five difference-making setters:
A state champion with her high school team Dripping Springs, Lund was one of the most promising and exciting setters to emerge lately in Texas and that feeling is only getting stronger during the club season because of her great play with Austin Skyline 15 Royal – they will be in the 15 Open division in Chicago. Tall setters don’t grown in trees and one who, besides having excellent size, can do it all on the court, even less. Lund is very technical and intelligent and gets to contribute in a variety of different ways to her team’s success, most notably with her serving and defense.
Highlights
LeRoux’s incredible potential is among the worst-kept secrets in the volleyball scene in the Houston area and it feels like this club season she’s making a lot of steps towards reaching it with her TAV Houston 16 Adidas team that will be in action in the 16 USA division. Although there’s been obvious progress in her technical skill, the area of her game that improved the most was her mental strength as the setter has been more consistent and effective on the court. LeRoux is really skilled on the ball and is now also making much better decisions with her distribution. Her six-foot frame is also a big plus as she can be aa factor at the net, blocking and even hitting at a high level.
Highlights
Houston Skyline 16 Royal is one of the funniest teams to watch in their age group in the state of Texas and, although their hitters are all stellar players, that wouldn’t happen without talented setter O’Brien running the show. She’s very dynamic and intelligent and has been a difference-maker at both the club and high school levels for the last two seasons. O’Brien’s setting range is incredible as she can get the ball accurately to either pin from anywhere on the court. She’s also excellent when in system, and that’s because of her very high volleyball IQ. The setter is also very athletic, doing strong plays on defense and making a positive impact with her blocking too. Her team will play in the 16 Open division.
Bruntmyer is one of the key players in her Tejas 17 Black team that will be in action in the 17 USA division. A setter with a very complete game and all the tools to play at the highest level and makes her team a lot better with her skills. Bruntmyer’s setting game is built upon her excellent ball-handling and her high volleyball IQ and she also stands out in other area because of her hard work and great understanding of the game. Her athleticism also helps her a lot on the court as it allows her to get to passes off the net and to get to balls on defense.
Highlights
The skilled Fadal moved to a bigger club this season, joining TAV Houston 17 Adidas, and proved to be an excellent addition to the side that will compete in the 17 Open division in Chicago. She’s very skilled on the ball, running the offense with her quick release and smart ball distribution and is one of those setters that make her hitters look better because of the great decisions they make. Fadal is much more than a playmaker, though, as she plays a big role in the team with her consistency and also makes a lot of plays on defense.