AAU Nationals 16 Open Preview: Tri-State 16 Blue

Mike Bryant June 24, 2023 @ 12:16 PM

The 12th seed overall, this squad enters AAU Nationals as the top seed in their pool and will open day one against CJV 16 Zoe, JJVA 16 Teal, and Illini Elite Cardinal. Here are some of their key athletes.   [player_tooltip player_id='152056' first='Ally' last='Hughes'] - S (*pictured) Hughes added great experience and floor leadership at the setting role during the high school season for Roger Bacon, which included deep postseason success. This has translated well to her club effort over the past few months. She had some great moments during their recent Summerfest experience as she made athletic contributions in her distribution as well as her defense at the net and in the back row. She has improved the consistency of her location and accuracy, including against the flow, which helps get space and increases her opportunities to balance their offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='152052' first='Sakura' last='Codling'] - L/DS The UCLA commit is one of the earliest in this 2025 class in the greater Cincy area to find her next-level home. She's very active and maintains great awareness of the ball movement around the court to be able to make big plays. She has good quickness in her footwork and in her reaction to anything coming over the net and doesn't show panic or show surprise to an off speed, hard driven, or deflected ball, making things look easy often.   [player_tooltip player_id='151959' first='Olivia' last='Schmidt'] - MB Schmidt contributes well in both offensive and defensive phases. Her preparation and net presence is attentive and active as uses her length well to defend. Offensively, she has good awareness of what is available to her regarding her timing and spacing as she can terminate well in rhythm while also making good decisions to place the ball in open space during broken plays.   [player_tooltip player_id='152053' first='Ashley' last='Sess'] - MB The 6'3 Sess has continued to raise her stock over the club season with the improved quality of her movement and ability to hit more effectively regarding range and power. She has the greatest length on this team and shows the best relationship with her setter on the offensive side as a middle. With good timing and spacing she can terminate quickly to the floor or with controlled movement to score through the deep corners.   [player_tooltip player_id='176097' first='Luci' last='Heid'] - OH Heid has been one of the biggest offensive threats and contributors for this team all season as she has some of the biggest elevation and contact point. She can hit aggressively over average blockers and challenges high hands and seams well with a more established defensive presence in place. When her feet are to the ball she can put some big pace on it upon contact that can drive the ball tot he court quickly.   [player_tooltip player_id='176096' first='Molly' last='Creech'] - OH Creech is an important piece for this team for a variety of reasons. As a six-rotation outside hitter, she can pass well in serve receive while also patrolling the back row defensively from the middle back position. She can defend with range while also keeping herself available to be able to swing from there as well. At the net, she has big lift and some of the best arm control in the air on this team to be able to score with good range.   [player_tooltip player_id='152058' first='Caroline' last='Moore'] - OPP Moore has steadily improved the quality of her contact point and ability to develop big pace as an attacker. The lefty has good momentum build and can take advantage of any space she gets around the opposing block to make them pay. Her bow and arrow action at the top of her jump helps create her arm speed and allows her to move the ball around well.

The 12th seed overall, this squad enters AAU Nationals as the top seed in their pool and will open day one against CJV 16 Zoe, JJVA 16 Teal, and Illini Elite Cardinal. Here are some of their key athletes.