AAU Championships: 16 Open/Premier Standouts After Day 2

<!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow&nbsp;<strong>@lshotvb&nbsp;</strong>on Instagram and Twitter for all things volleyball!</em></h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading">Use code&nbsp;<strong>LSHOTVBUSAV&nbsp;</strong>and get $10 off your registration for Prep Dig's USAV Showcases,&nbsp;<a href="https://events.prepdig.com/info?website_id=3&event_id=765">Session 1</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://events.prepdig.com/info?website_id=3&event_id=766">Session 2</a>!</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another day down, another step closer to the championship stage at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Day 2 did not leave much more to be desired. Upsets aplenty, big time three set thrillers and a lot of great volleyball as we cut it down to 30 teams left in contention for gold. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here we're some of the standout players from day 2 here in Orlando.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Isabelle Hoppe - 5'9 S - Pittsburgh Elite</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Under the big lights of the stadium courts, Hoppe knew how to put on a show. This setter was a lot of fun to watch run her team. She's quick, really agile and super athletic. She puts up a really nice ball even in the toughest of situations. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":409099,"width":268,"height":179,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/C184B372-A162-47B2-BD00-984829F7D006.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-409099" width="268" height="179" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='443826' first='Jordyn' last='Hughes']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='443826' first='Jordyn' last='Hughes'] - 5'11 MB - Dead Frog</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If this team can keep the ball in system to feed this hitter, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind a national championship would be imminent. Hughes pops off the ground and cuts the ball with some serious heat. Not many could return her balls in the middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='443896' first='Sydney' last='Bates'] - 5'9 S - Dead Frog</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's a real good reason Dead Frog is coming into Day 3 with an undefeated day 2 record. This setter really stepped up today and it made a world of a difference. Bates location and tempo was spot on throughout. Her ability to make lemonade with her lemons were impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='200397' first='Dylann' last='Kelly'] - 6'0 OH - FaR Out</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was hard to recognize this kid because last year, she was a middle blocker. This AAU Nationals, Kelly is swinging on the left, playing six rotations and absolutely killing it. Kelly proved to be a force today leading FaR Out to a 5-1 record thus far.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='288965' first='Liliana' last='Smith'] - 5'11 S - Michigan Elite</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>May she set. May she hit. Whatever Smith does, she makes an impression. Traditionally a setter, Smith is a clear standout amongst the others in the 16 Premier division. Her versatility as an attacker was a lot of fun to catch in action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='455044' first='Zoey' last='Matias'] - 5'6 L - Tribe</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tribe is on the hunt to bring another championship to the state of Florida. Matias was picking balls up left and right. Throw your best at her or try an off speed shot, Matias was all over it. Tribe's first contact was always a step ahead of its opponent, much to the play of Matias.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='455001' first='Tekoa' last='Barnes'] - 6'0 OH - Tribe</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Firing on all cylinders, when Barnes gets hot, there's no returning one of her blows. Today was one of those days. Terminating the ball at a high level, Barnes was also playing some stellar back court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Maria NIx - 6'1 OH - CUVC</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nearly sneaking away with an undefeated record going into Day 3, when Nix turns the dial up, the heat is undeniable. After dropping a tough set in the final match of the day, I watched Nix propel her squad to a third with her physicality alone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='288945' first='Victoria' last='Gray'] - 6'2 MB - Michigan Elite</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":409106,"width":297,"height":198,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/058D267E-E7BD-4EB7-A23C-126665BC1B05.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-409106" width="297" height="198" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Elena Hoecke </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's impressive to see an athlete come off of the bench and make an immediate impact to the game. Gray makes more than an impact. Gray was looking like one of the top middles in the gym, her blocking was intense and her offense was untouchable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Elena Hoecke - 6'2 MB - MN Select</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When this player can find the ball, watch out below. She's coming in hot! Hoecke was doing some really nice things today for MN Select. At times, she looked like one of the most physical attackers and her blocking is a thing of beauty.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>PrepDig is putting on the Stock Up Showcase series across the country for Class of 2024-26 prospects AND Freshmen Showcase Series for 2027s throughout the month of July.&nbsp;</em><a href="https://prepdig.com/stock-up-showcases/?type=Showcase&amp;state=&amp;start_date="><strong><em>Click here</em></strong></a><em>&nbsp;to sign up for YOUR event. 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