Michigan Teams Dominate Wave 4 at AAU Nationals: FaR Out

<h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow <strong>@lshotvb </strong>on Instagram and Twitter for all things volleyball!</em></h6>   <h6 class="wp-block-heading">Use code <strong>LSHOTVBUSAV </strong>and get $10 off your registration for Prep Dig's USAV Showcases, <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/info?website_id=3&event_id=765">Session 1</a> & <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/info?website_id=3&event_id=766">Session 2</a>!</h6>   <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6>   <p>The 50th AAU Girls National Volleyball Championships have finally come to an end. After a long two weeks of non-stop action, kicking off with the 14 and 18s age group. It was wave 4, that featured the 16s age group, that really ended the hotly anticipated tournament with a bang.</p>   <p>Teams from across the country send the best of the best of what got to AAUs. But if we were to point out a standout state state, it was the Mitten state directly 956 miles north that had an explosive showing in Wave 4.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/DSC09043-crop-4800x3152-1688240015.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-411824" width="256" height="168" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='224272' first='Cambria' last='Gaier']</figcaption></figure>   <p>From the top two divisions at the championships, Open and Premier, Michigan showcased five teams that placed within the upper echelon of the field. Here's the break down of how they did. Moving on to the next big team out of Premier, let's see how FaR Out 16 Black did. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">FaR Out 16 Black finishes Fifth in Premier</h2>   <p>This program is a perennial power when it comes to the AAU National championships. Last year, this group finished 5th in 15 Open. With a few movements of personnel in injuries, they dropped to premier and managed to come out with a top five finish!</p>   <p>Day 1 saw 16 Black go 2-1. In the opening and closing matches, FaR Out was absolutely dominant. Posting average set victories of over 14 points. They did drop their second match to a tough Metro VBC team. </p>   <p>The following day would have the same outcome, FaR Out would come out of this round 2-1. The first two sets, the west side crew was cruising past the competition. They're go on to once again average nearly 14 point set victories over their opponents, ECVA and Michigan Elite. The third game of the day would see OP2 take them down in straight sets however. Still very much on the hunt for gold.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/DSC09049.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-411827" width="261" height="174" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156301' first='Elyse' last='Heffner'], [player_tooltip player_id='288948' first='Lexi' last='Armstrong'] </figcaption></figure>   <p>Once again, 16 Black would make things a little more interesting in their hunt for gold. Going 2-1, they would take matches from both Tampa United and Country Fire. They'd however drop the mid-day match to Dead Frog. This would set up FaR Out for a challenge match for gold later in the day. They would knock out Mem Metro in three sets to advance to the gold bracket sweet 16 and send Metro to the consolation bracket!</p>   <p>Championship Day would see run into yet ANOTHER fellow Michigan squad, L2 162, and would knock this team out of the tournament. They would go on to take on fellow 3Step team, KIVA in the elite 8 before being knocked out in straight sets to place fifth in the 16 Premier Division.</p>   <h5 class="wp-block-heading">Player Highlights</h5>   <p>OH [player_tooltip player_id='224272' first='Cambria' last='Gaier'] took home AAU All-American honors in the 16 Premier Division. Gaier was rock solid all tournament long. As a six rotation outside, she was putting away balls with ease from a multitude of positions on the court. Her pass and defense were quite stout as well. Her outside counterpart, [player_tooltip player_id='200397' first='Dylann' last='Kelly'], was putting in some serious work too. Kelly may have had one of the heaviest arms in the division.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/DSC09047-crop-4800x3152-1688240085.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-411826" width="261" height="171" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='288959' first='Alyssa' last='Krol']</figcaption></figure>   <p>Other standouts include MB [player_tooltip player_id='156301' first='Elyse' last='Heffner'] and S [player_tooltip player_id='288948' first='Lexi' last='Armstrong']. Heffner had a really solid showing for 16 Black all weekend long. A solid force at the net with her block. Her transition to attack game is killer, leaving many opponents in disarray. Armstrong ran a really solid offense from start to finish. A great feel for the flow of the game and nice touch on the ball, this was a real good showcase of what Armstrong is capable of.</p>   <p>–</p>   <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. </em><a href="https://prepdig.com/stock-up-showcases/?type=Showcase&state=&start_date="><strong><em>Click here</em></strong></a><em> to sign up for YOUR event. You can use promo code “LshotDig2023” for $10 off your registration.</em></p>