GJNC 16 Open Preview: AVC CLE 17 Red

Mike Bryant July 1, 2023 @ 05:26 PM

With the 16U and 17U divisions starting in just a couple of days, AVC out of the Cleveland area is the only Ohio Valley Region club to have representatives competing at the open level. Here are some of their key 16U prospects to watch.   [player_tooltip player_id='152043' first='Belle' last='Groomes'] - S/RS (*pictured) Groomes, a recent San Diego commit, is one of Ohio's top prospects in the 2025 class as the lefty has a good depth of skills to contribute in a variety of ways. Where she has excelled throughout the club season is at the setting role as she is athletic to be able to pursue the ball well with a high contact point when in system and on the move through broken plays. Offensively, she can terminate well especially on the right side as her elevation combines with good pace and movement to be terminal with authority.   [player_tooltip player_id='152049' first='Kayla' last='Channell'] - MB/RS The 6'1 Channell is a key piece for this team primarily in the middle as she is the most reliable option through the quicker attack points on the offensive side. Her progress this season includes much improved footwork, spacing, and momentum build that has allowed her a much more efficient output. She elevates well and her high contact has increasingly included good range of control and point scoring to both sides of the opponent's floor. She is also a key defender as her movement through both pins appears quicker and more efficient to get her in front of hitters in both directions.   [player_tooltip player_id='152050' first='Aubrey' last='Anders'] - OH Anders has all the tools to become an elite six-rotation outside hitter as she has showcased her competitive maturity well over the course of the season. At 6'1, she has great length to attack well above the net as well as pursue the first-touch with range through her serve receive and defensive contributions. A noticeable growth area is in her ability to score with range as she has good awareness of the defense in front of her and the arm and wrist control to move the ball around upon contact.   [player_tooltip player_id='227632' first='Rylie' last='Simons'] - S A 2026 prospect, Simons contributes well in sharing the setting role. At 5'5, she has good quickness that gets her to the second tough on balance and with a high contact point off the floor to set the full scope of their offensive range and tempo. She had a terrific freshman campaign as the primary setter for Austintown-Fitch while contributing well on the defensive side also.   [player_tooltip player_id='445105' first='Alexa' last='Stutzman'] - L/DS The 5'6 Stutzman is an AVC prototype libero as this club continues to develop and produce some of the best in the OVR year over year. She is intentional with her preparation and first step that leads to good efficiency in her movement to pass the ball. Her balance and quickness help her range defensively also as she pursues well in every direction.

With the 16U and 17U divisions starting in just a couple of days, AVC out of the Cleveland area is the only Ohio Valley Region club to have representatives competing at the open level. Here are some of their key 16U prospects to watch.