Columbus standouts at the Junior National Tournament

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These players played hard and smart last week at the Junior National Tournament:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='160948' first='Katerina' last='Lutz']</strong> | L | WAVE<br>This libero, [player_tooltip player_id='160948' first='Katerina' last='Lutz'], passes the ball in her centerline nearly every time. With the court 30 feet wide and three passers, her range is easily more than 12 feet. She plays the ball with confidence and assertiveness even if that means stepping in front. The result of that is giving her teammates more time to prepare for the next phase of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Juliana Van Ommering</strong> | OH | SDVBC<br>Keeping the ball close to her while passing is something Juliana Van Ommering does with ease. That patience may lead to a difficult time coordinating her next movement, but she does this with lucid ease. She is excellent at keeping the ball in front of her on a quick tempo set. If needed, she can also wisely continue the rally with a hit off the block. She also reacts well. For example, she made a block move then there was a setter tip and with one hand she quickly kept the ball in the air.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Devon Denecochea</strong> | RS | WAVE<br>This lefty right side, Devon Denecochea, is an all-around player to watch going forward. She will step into serve receive when needed and deliver an excellent pass. Being a six-rotation opposite is rare and she is always ready for a back-row attack. Her jump float serve is contacted at a high point and drops in low and fast. This natural cross-court hitter also has a great line shot when hitting on the left side.<br><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='163292' first='Victoria' last='Davis'] </strong>| MB | Legacy<br>Being an attentive middle, like [player_tooltip player_id='163292' first='Victoria' last='Davis'], can be difficult. A lot of action happens in the middle of the court. When paying so much attention, it is easy to get in the way. She pays attention to the pass and the opposing hitters so well that it almost seems like she is not there. Then she suddenly appears and makes a play. Her explosiveness and quick jump allow her to play with this level of delay.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Makenzie Ravera </strong>| MB | Xcceleration<br>Good eye sequencing seems to lead to great timing for the block of Makenzie Ravera. As her head moves around and follows the various parts of the play, she makes sure the last thing she sees is the hitter. On offense, she hits to the deep court. This is likely possible because regardless of how far away the pass is she gets ready and stays in the offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Emily Wen</strong> | S | Actyve<br>Emily Wen is a setter and hitter in a 6-2 offense. As a setter, she goes after the ball even if it is going to an unplayable area. She does really great work getting the ball all the way out to the outside antenna. She keeps a blocker guessing because she will then suddenly set a ball inside to that hitter. One leadership quality she has is that she keeps her team focused.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kayden Croy </strong>| OH | Rancho Valley<br>Kayden Croy is an adaptable hitter. She hits a hard-driven ball to any place on the court with a full approach. She will then hit a hard-driven ball to any place on the court when quickly reacting on a step close approach. Consequently, she has no hesitation to step in and take the ball in the short seam of serve receive. When blocking, she tends to give live and also reads the play very well. She watches all opponent hitter's routes and where the pass is to position herself as best she can on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->