Lone Star Regionals – Middles to Watch
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Houston is the place to be this weekend in the club volleyball scene as H-Town is going to host one of the most prestigious tournaments of the season, the 2023 Lone Star Regionals. The gigantic event held at the George…
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Continue ReadingHouston is the place to be this weekend in the club volleyball scene as H-Town is going to host one of the most prestigious tournaments of the season, the 2023 Lone Star Regionals.
The gigantic event held at the George R. Brown Convention Center will feature over 500 teams in its 11 divisions and club teams from all over the Lone Star State will be on the court in what’s expected to be one of the top events of the season.
Some of the top talent in Texas club volleyball will be in action over the weekend in Houston and we’re taking the week leading to it to feature some of those players. These middles know how to make their presence felt at the net:
Expect to see a lot of intensity from Points when she gets on the court with Houston Stellar 15 Elite in the 15 Bid division. She brings a great deal of energy and intention to every single action she performs at the net and that seems to generate an extra amount of power to everything she does. Points is a very strong offensive player, who not only swings with tremendous power, but also makes contact with the ball at a very high point, often overcoming blockers. She also makes a good impact on the defensive side of the game, moving well at the net and making good reads on opponents.
Walker is typically electric in the middle with her H Skyline 15 Black team that will compete in the 15 Bid division. A tremendous jumper, she can bounce balls when in system because of her amazing athleticism and incredibly quick feet. Walker is part of a strong high school program in Mavnvel and has done a great job for them as a freshman. She looks even faster and strong during the club season and has made great strides with her game, hitting a handful of different sets in the middle and increasing her blocking range.
Highlights
Few teams will have better options in the middle in the 16 Bid division than AVA TX 16 Adidas and Donaie will be one of the interesting pieces the team will have to use. She has learned how to best use her long frame and impressive hangtime long ago, but has been consistently adding new elements to her game and is a much better offensive player now, bringing more power with her swings and displaying a much-improved footwork. Donaie is really hard to stop when in system and also makes a huge impact at the net with her long and aggressive blocking.
Rodriguez will be one of the most important players of her Impact – 171 team in the 17 Bid division. A new addition to the club coming from Top Gun, she plays with unmatched intensity and it’s impossible not to see how involved she is and how much she enjoys every second on the court. She’s a ferocious offensive player, who will swing with everything she has even when facing much taller blockers. Rodriguez is a productive blocker herself as, despite her size limitations, she’s really quick to get off the floor and to move around at the net. She can also play on either pin, bringing some flexibility to the team.
Highlights
Annie Cathey
Annie Cathey
Cathey will offer a strong presence in the middle for Club South 17-1 in the 17 Bid division. Also a track and field student-athlete, she’s incredibly athletic and that shows in her game at the net. Cathey plays with a lot of intensity on offense, making a quick approach, getting off the floor well and swinging hard. She hits the ball at a very high point and even taller blockers can have a hard time trying to go up against her at the net. Her blocking efficiency is also notable as besides moving quickly and putting up a big block, she’s really good at closing out the space up at the net.