2024s From the Queens Court Tournament

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are a five athletes that played in Irvine this past weekend:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>Joy Lee </strong></strong>| 5'7" | 2024 | S | Beckman High School <br>A great representative of consistency, Joy Lee has footwork and an approach that is the same to almost every pass. After she contacts the ball, she uses shoulders more than anything to complete the skill performance of setting, This shoulder use helps her make the long set either forward or backward. Additionally, this helps her get around the ball for great control. Lee dishes up a ball for her middles to go and get. When digging, she reaches her platform out far away from her body.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lauren Esquino</strong> | 5'9" | 2024 | OH | Corona Del Mar High School<br>Lauren Esquino can be seen as a hitter that is tough to read. This is so because she leans away from her attack. Her left shoulder drop allows for power and an extended reach of her right arm. Additionally, she generates power by arching her back and whipping her whole upper body into the ball. Esquino has a great last two steps of her approach. She also looks to drive the ball about 25 feet. When digging, she contacts the ball close to her body near her knees. Her defense is also highlighted by an ability to smother a ball when blocking a tight set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Madison Maxwell</strong> | 6'1" | 2024 | S/OPP | Hart High School<br>Finding a hitter with a quick arm that finishes on a ball fast, like Madison Maxwell, is not always easy to find. This versatile athlete does a lot. Specifically, she can be counted on for points, set her teammates to get points, and start the rally with a pass. A standout attribute of Maxwell's setting is that she can make athletic plays on the ball. For example, pass it 15 feet off the net and watch her spin set. When passing, she has a very straight and also rigid platform that contacts the ball just about anywhere on her body.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nayeon Kim </strong>| 5'7" | 2024 | L/DS | Los Altos High School <br>The life of a defender can become much easy when she reads very well, like Nayeon Kim. She has active feet throughout a rally and is quick to react to what she sees. Often times what she sees puts her in a place to make a play. Additionally, her lateral shuffling is quick. Being in the right place gives her time and makes it look like passing is incredibly easy. As much she makes it look easy, she somehow still make it appear like she is pulling the ball out of the ground. It is an incredible juxtaposition of hard work and efficiency. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='160962' first='Julia' last='Tolstova'] </strong>| 5'11" | 2024 | OPP | Redlands High School<br>Simply a tough hitter to defend is one way to describe the game of [player_tooltip player_id='160962' first='Julia' last='Tolstova']. She is comfortable hitting the ball with only step close footwork. Even then, she puts a lot of pace on the ball. Additionally, she finds the open court very well. Expect to see Tolstova all over the court hitting anything from either pin to a combination in the middle of the court. Her jump float serve moves a lot and keeps going but just enough to stay in play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->