15 Athletes with Dominant Day 2 Performances at the PD Gauntlet
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These athletes were key to their team’s success on Day 2 of the Prep Dig Gauntlet. They were relentless throughout matches and really stepped up for their teams. There are so many talented athletes at this event which makes it…
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Continue ReadingThese athletes were key to their team’s success on Day 2 of the Prep Dig Gauntlet. They were relentless throughout matches and really stepped up for their teams. There are so many talented athletes at this event which makes it so fun to watch, and of course, means my notes app is bursting with information!
Sophia was one of the first on my list for day 1 and was right there again on day 2. She is an incredibly impactful right side who swings tough angles and is efficient with every ball she gets. It doesn’t matter if it is a perfect set or an out-of-system ball. Sophia will find a way to earn points. She has a big approach and high-level court awareness. She is also a talented blocker.
Highlights
Siena has been all over the court this tournament. She has played at both the DS and libero position for Sting 15 Gold. Her hustle plays keep even the toughest balls alive. She is scrappy in the back row but has the ability to be calm and controlled in serve receive. Siena also has nice hands and can set out-of-system balls very well from behind the 10-foot line.
Stella Smith
Stella Smith
Stella is almost unstoppable at the net. She is engaged and aggressive on every point. When she needs to go up multiple times in a rally, she still manages to close blocks and make herself available on offense consistently. Stella is an athlete who is hungry for the ball and one that will be a player to watch in this class.
Avery is simply a well-rounded athlete. She has power on the pin but is equally valuable in serve receive and defense. She never seems to miss a beat and is low and ready for any hard-hit balls that come her way. Avery can play in all six rotations and is utilized as both an outside and a DS. She takes an explosive approach and has a fast arm swing which helps her power through blocks and earns points.
What set Morgan apart was her discipline in transition. She sets herself up for success on offense by consistently transitioning well. She has a long, powerful approach and is always hungry for the ball. Morgan is a fun pin to watch. She is a go-to hitter and executes well for her team.
Sophia Swiderski
Sophia Swiderski
Sophia is an athlete with a lethal line shot. She has a lightning-fast arm swing and big power on the pin. When Sophia decides a rally is over, she puts a ball down efficiently. Her swings pack a punch, and she moves her swings around. When she connects with the set, it is impressive.
April has been a huge leader this weekend. She first caught my eye on day 1 with her aggressive setting choices and how much she fed her middle hitters. Today she was firing on all cylinders. April is a lefty who was taking swings on second balls, moving the ball around cleanly with tempo and ease, and keeping all of her hitters involved.
Highlights
If you haven’t seen Avery play yet this tournament, she is an athlete you need to stop and see play. She is all over the court on defense and is especially impactful in coverage. Her ability to pick up balls in coverage amazed me today, and her touches on tough-hit balls were so fun to watch. She is stellar on serve receive as well and is a libero who can do it all.
Sydney is an absolutely dominant athlete. She defines what this article is about in her play on every single point. Sydney is a high-volume player who gets a good portion of sets. She is a lefty right side that never gives up on anything. From her blocking to her offense, Sydney’s potential is nearly limitless.
Allie’s blocking was next level today. She played incredible from start to finish. Allie is a 2026 playing on the Open-qualified Sting 16 Gold squad. She can play out of the middle and on the right side. Allie is a powerhouse hitter, but her blocking set her apart today. She had numerous blocks that had no hope of being picked up by opposing teams.
Rachel is explosive in the middle. She has a high contact, reads opposing offenses well, and has a high volleyball IQ. Rachel puts up a nearly impenetrable block and seems to move pin to pin with ease. She makes some of the toughest plays look easy and is a player that catches your eye time and time again.
Reilly was a key leader and energizer on her team. She will throw herself in front of any ball and is aggressive on defense and serve receive. No balls are dropping on her court without full effort. She is an energizer and communicator, working to call shots and set her team up for success. Reilly is consistent and gritty.
Audrey is a lefty setter and right side who dominates in all six rotations. She runs the court at a high level and is a player that will always give full effort to every ball. When she is in the front row, she is aggressive yet does not make a lot of errors. When she sets, she has precise placement on fast-tempo balls and makes aggressive choices.
Caroline went off today. She was an impact player on day 1 of the tournament, but on day 2, she was unstoppable. You could hear the thump of her kills. Her high level of play elevated her teammates around her and helped build momentum throughout the day. She was a go-to hitter and executed at a high level in every single match.
Berkeley had a huge day today. Her block was next-level, and her connection with Jenna Meitzler Jenna Meitzler 6’1″ | S Barrington | 2024 State #117 Nation IL was near perfect. She can run impact plays both in front of and behind the setter. Her slide is lethal, and she will always find a way to make herself available to hit. Berkeley is a great first contact on defense and is an athlete you want on the court as much as possible.