Michigan Teams Dominate Wave 4 at AAU Nationals: L2

<!-- 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 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> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <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> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <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. Rounding out the top teams in the division, L2 162 brings their best to 16 Premier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">L2 162 Brings the Highest Finish back to L2 Volleyball</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a historic way to end this club's second year at AAU Nationals. This 2025 class is totally stacked with talent, as you've may have realized by now, so there's plenty to go around! L2 162's had themselves a time at AAUs and found themselves with the programs first ever top ten finish!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Day 1 saw this squad with a real nice battle to start of the tournament against TI Elite. Taking this match in three, they'd go on to take the next match in two versus GVCV before just dropping the last match of the day to Fusion. It was anyone's game in the last set of the day with Fusion just narrowly escaping L2, 13-15, in the decider.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If day 1 was any indicator, L2 162 would go on to be crowned the Third Set Queens at AAU Nationals. Day 2 saw this team go the distance in every single match, but come out victorious in every single one. To the tune of two sets going 15-10 and one going 15-13. The tenacity of this squad to right the ship was surely impressive. They're secure wins versus Renaissance, VVA, and M2 to extend their record 6-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We aren't crowning them the Third Set Queens for nothing, 162 would go on ANOTHER three matches winning in three on Day 3. (A lot of 3s in one sentence, I know!) L2 opened the day taking down Ka Ulukoa to the tune of 15-10. From there they would down Club SAV in 16-14. They would see their first loss in five matches to MVP in straight sets, where L2 narrowly missed the first set. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This would set them up beautifully for a challenge match to advance to the Gold Bracket Sweet 16 on Day 4. This challenge match, you guessed it, went the distance. After dropping the first 24-26, L2 was all gas and NO breaks. They'd dominate the second set, 25-14, before snatching the third 15-9. This would mark 162's eighth three-setter and their seventh third set win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>L2's magical run would come to an end early on in the gold bracket on Day 4. They would go on to be swept by FaR Out 16 Black in the opening rounds of the day. This would place 162 in ninth, a program high across all age groups and divisions! A first top ten finish for this new club.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":5} --> <h5 class="wp-block-heading">Player Highlights</h5> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were many standouts to come out of this team. First, one of the most underrated but most crucial positions, the setter. S [player_tooltip player_id='261174' first='Kaylin' last='Schroeder'] is easily the game changer for this squad. She's coming off of a very nice high school season at Bedford where she averaged nearly 10 assists with four digs a set. Her top notch defense and the tempo she runs her offense was hard to contend with at this level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Having a field day with all this butter were OPP [player_tooltip player_id='191143' first='Sidney' last='White'], MB [player_tooltip player_id='189713' first='Addison' last='Ashley'] and OH <strong>Gracie Hoener</strong>. White is really coming into her own this season and is looking quite pristine on the right pin. Out of right front AND right back, she's a constant attacking option. Ashley is another product of Saline that had a great showcase at Nationals. At the net, her movement and overall net play is much improved. Her block was giving opponents fits all week. On the left pin, Hoener proofed to be the go-to to put away the tough ones.</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 -->