AAU Championships: 16 Open Standouts After Gold Medal Rounds

<!-- 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>The hunt for gold continues for these teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're getting down to the wire here in Orlando. From 62 teams to start, we're entering Championship Day with 8 remaining teams looking for an illusive national championship. Only 1 can come out of here a winner. These athletes are on the mission for that title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at the best of the best in the 16 Open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='156313' first='Marie' last='Laurio'] - 5'10 OH - Legacy</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This player has really grown this past season and we're seeing her at her peak. Laurio has been on fire all day long. On the two ball, or on the pin, Laurio has all the shots in the book to put the ball away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='156295' first='Campbell' last='Flynn'] - 6'2 S - Legacy</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fresh off of her commitment to Nebraska, Flynn is prepping for what she's looking to do in the red and white. The things this player can do is absolutely stunning. No hitter is out of option when Flynn is setting and its never a bad ball coming out of her hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='455015' first='Amina' last='N'diaye'] - 6'2 OH - OT</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nobody was hitting that line shot like N'Diaye today! OT was rocking and rolling and find themselves still hunting for a natty. N'Diaye was the heart beat of this team from start to finish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='399441' first='Kierstin' last='Bevelle'] - 6'1 OH - OT</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no break on the left pin on this OT team. Bevelle hits one heavy ball and is a very high rewarding attacker. I was seeing her and her outside counter part doing some impressive things and taking over matches when it was time to turn it on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='159350' first='Elise' last='Hart'] - 6'2 MB - KIVA</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When KIVA can find this girl in the middle, there's no doubt in anyone's mind that she was scoring. Today specifically. KIVA comes into AAU as one of the top seeds, Hart shows exactly why that is. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Isabelle Busignani - 6'1 OH - Michigan Elite</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In probably one of her greatest performances in her short career thus far, Busignani lit up the stage today. After a little bit of a slow morning for MiElite across the board, Busignani came into the match that mattered with a thirst for blood! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='156284' first='Gabriella' last='Babinski'] - 6'2 OPP - Michigan Elite</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From the left pin to the right pin, there was absolutely no telling where Craggs was going to go, but they were scoring. Babinski is looking like a career best self throughout this tournament and today was a further argument for this. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='433980' first='Kayden' last='Green'] - 5'9 S/OPP - Game Point</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I truly cannot decide what position I like this player in more. As a setter, Green runs one of the fastest balls to the pins, I think i have seen in this division this season. But as an attacker, man, i hope you don't get caught off guard with one of her balls. It will hurt!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='455029' first='Elena' last='Maynulet'] - 6'1 OH - Game Point</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This player is a little quiet on the court, but when she gets her hand on the ball, there's nothing quiet about this. Maynulet has laser vision for the court and a superb touch on first contact. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='455040' first='Natalie' last='Harris'] - 5'10 OH - Game Point</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another pin on this team that brings nothing but HEAT, Harris was one player that on from first serve to last ball tonight. While might seem as a smaller player, the way Harris can explode off the ground, there's nothing small about that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='444454' first='Jarielys' last='Giraud'] - 5'5 L - Game Point</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Absolutely nothing is going to hit the floor when you got this spit fire in the back court. The way Giraud was able to have a step ahead of her opponents was impeccable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Katherine Holthaus - 5'11 OPP - Northern Lights</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was my first chance to really watch this team today. Coming into the court, she doesn't seem to a problem. But once she's smashed a ball or two on the right side, you realize just how big of a problem she is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='117880' first='Mesaiya' last='Bettis'] - 6'1 OH - Northern Lights</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bettis was showing off some of her best volleyball today. Playing the game head and shoulders above her counterparts, there was times it seemed no block was big enough to slow her down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='177422' first='McKenna' last='Garr'] - 5'7 L - Northern Lights</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This libero plays the game with a lot of fire, passion and grit. All of what I LOVE to see in a 'bro. Garr may fall under the radar with all of the stud hitters she's surrounded with, but NOT today. Garr was taking great command of the court and it made a world of difference.</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. You can use promo code “LshotDig2023” for $10 off your registration.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->