2023 GJNC Top Pin Attackers – 16 Open (Pt 1)

<!-- 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">–</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No better way to end the club season than with the illustrious USA Girls Junior National Championships every year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With some of the best talents from across the country on tap, the gym is red hot with top notch competition. This year was no different for the championships, upsets galore, heavy weights falling and fresh faces atop the podium. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at some of the best of the best throughout the field. Up next - the top wing attackers in the 16 Open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='203428' first='Abby' last='Vander Wal'] - 1st Alliance</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top players in the country, Vander Wal's size, physicality and agility around the court does wonders for 1st Alliance. Vander Wal muscled her way to lead Alliance to the championship match.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='156313' first='Marie' last='Laurio'] - Legacy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Slightly undersized, but a kid that jumps through the roof makes her hard to stop. The recent Syracuse commit has really found her footing this season and has made some serious strides to be the go-to player for this squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='180165' first='Mary' last='Beth Morse'] - Madfrog</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another go-to attacker for this Madfrog squad, Morse takes on a big load for this team and runs with it. Morse has a heavy arm and a lot of shots to score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='188236' first='Kaci' last='Demaria'] - Surfside</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the biggest pin attackers you could find in Chicago, Demaria plays head and shoulders above the competition. She brings some serious pace behind her balls and ranges a lot of crafty shots out of system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tekoa Barnes - Tribe</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You never want to come in the way of a <strong>Tekoa Barnes</strong> blow. Looking to go out with a bang, Barnes left it all out on the court, swinging bombs away. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='179919' first='Lily' last='Dee Davis'] - Austin Skyline</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Texas Beach Volleyball bound, Dee Davis shows that she has all the tools in her toolbox to make a successful beach career at Texas. A high level passer and all the shots on the attack. With heat or off speed, Dee Davis knows how to score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='180179' first='Alex' last='Richter'] - Drive Nation</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Drive Nation has a real nice, deep bench of big time attackers. Richter is a big time role player for Nation and can come in and deliver in clutch moments. On the right side, she's dynamite and can get the job just as effective on the left as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jessica Costlow - Michigan Elite</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the craftiest attackers in the arena, Costlow is another player that would make a killing on the beach with her overall play. Costlow has a nice first contact and was wicked on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Devyn Weist - Arizona Storm</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arizona Storm came in and stormed away the competition. Weist was one of the big power players throughout the entire tournament and was always delivering when it was her turn to make the play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->