Lone Star Regionals – Right Sides 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 liberos have what it takes to make a big impact from the backcourt:
Gabby Estringel
Gabby Estringel
The main role of any right side hitter in her team is to score points and that’s what Estringel does with her McAllen Fierce 15-1 side that will be in action in the 15 Bid division. She carries a large offensive load with the team, getting set quite often, even when she’s on the backcourt, and typically responds well, putting the ball down at a good rate. A lefty, Estringel is very physical and has a heavy arm, but is also skilled enough to hit around blocks and find solutions to difficult plays. Also a solid blocker, the right side hitter helps the team in other ways too, making some impact with her serves and passing on some rotations.
The TAV Houston 15 Adidas team that will be on the court in the 15 Bid division has a strong right side duo with Hoff and Mia Crowley Mia Crowley 6’0″ | RS Providence Classical | 2026 State TX . A lefty, Hoff brings a different dynamic to the team’s offense when she’s on the court with her ability to hit shorter, quick sets behind the sets. She makes very good use of her offensive reach, scoring at a very good rate from the left too, and has a very quick arm, which helps her hit around blockers. Hoff is also a strong blocker and has good ball control, often helping in serve-receive.
Highlights
Kassandra De La Garza
Kassandra De La Garza
A setter with her high school team Sharyland, De La Garza has been more active on the offensive side of things with Valley Venon – 161 Red and will be a key player for them in the 16 Bid division. Her game is very complete and resourceful, which makes of her a truly unpredictable offensive player. A lefty, De La Garza has some serious power in her arm, but is also one of the most technical hitters out there, which gives her endless possibilities to score. The right side also has excellent ball control and is a tough server.
Emerson Lechler
Emerson Lechler
Lechler could be playing among the 15s, but her well-developed game has granted her the opportunity of competing two age groups up with Club Catalyst 17 Green in the 17 Bid division. She plays with a lot of intensity and is a very strong offensive player, who can score from the right or the left. Lechler is very long and has a heavy right arm, which she uses to battle opposing blockers. I’ve seen her get set in big moments of matches and she never backed down, swinging as hard as if the scoreboard was showing 0-0. Lechler has also made great progress in terms of being more consistent since I first saw her in action during the high school season.
Ariana Willis
Ariana Willis
Some in the 17 Bid division may take Texas Tornados 17 National’s Willis for granted because of her size, but don’t make that mistake. A tremendously athletic player, she can jump out of the gym and will get right up there with the top hitters in her position up at the net. Willis swings hard every time she goes up and developed other aspects of her offense to make up for her height limitations, being capable of scoring from the right, left and even the middle. She’ll keep swinging until the end and blockers and defenders will have a harder time trying to stop her than they thought they would.