Under Armour All-America Game Preview: Team Ice
Be sure to follow @lshotvb on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball! Tune into the Under Armour All-America Games on January 2nd at 3:30 EST on ESPNU – What better way to ring in the new year than watching…
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Continue ReadingBe sure to follow @lshotvb on Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter for all things volleyball!
Tune into the Under Armour All-America Games on January 2nd at 3:30 EST on ESPNU
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What better way to ring in the new year than watching 28 of the top senior volleyball players in the country take center stage?
It’s one of the most prestigious honors a player can have throughout their prep careers… To be named an Under Armour All-American.
For nearly 20 years, some of the most talented players from across the country have been invited to partake in these games. Some notable alumni include recent Tokyo Olympic Gold Medalists such as Chiaka Ogbogu (Coppell, TX/Texas), Haleigh Washington (Colorado Springs, CO/Penn State) and Micha Hancock (Tulsa, OK/Penn State). The Under Armour All-America game prides itself on highlighting the “Who’s Who” of the current high school scene and previewing the stars of tomorrow.
In the past, these were merely matches held at the NCAA Division I Final Four sites to coordinate with the championship festivities. But, in the last several years, Under Armour has catapulted this into an all-out event! Now, this has become a week-long event that on top of the high-level training, includes top-of-the-line gear, media and a youth clinic to then accumulate in the games at the end of the week. All while in sunny Orlando, FL.
Per Under Amour – “This is the most elite high school volleyball in the country: Year-after-year the Under Amour All-America Week serves to further inspire and develop top high school talent just as they are about to embark on the next stage of the game.”
Without further ado, let’s take a look at what Team Ice is cooking up this week in Orlando!
Team Ice Roster
Izzy Starck committed to Penn State* | Favor Anyanwu committed to USC |
Carlie Cisneros committed to Arizona | Ava Falduto committed to Penn State |
Bailey Higgins committed to Florida State (Beach) | Kiki Horne committed to UCLA |
Amanda Mack committed to Cincinnati | Taylor Parks committed to Florida |
Payton Peterson committed to Louisville | Alec Rothe committed to Florida |
Laynie Smith committed to Illinois | Emerson Sellman committed to Ohio State |
Asia Thigpen committed to Kentucky | Mia Tvrdy committed to Oregon |
Roster Breakdown
Thinking Outside the Box
We have ourselves quite the show on our hands with these players on deck. Kicking off Team Ice strong with the pins, let’s talk about Emerson Sellman. A live wire arm with loads of power and grit, Sellman knows how to put on a show. Her play is reminiscent of that of Ali Frantti with the national team, and this is a player that is no stranger to the USA gym either. Alongside several others here in Orlando, Sellman was team captain of the U19 World Championship winning team this summer in Croatia. This future Buckeye will be a fun one to keep an eye on this week.
From one Big Ten bound player to the next, let’s talk Kiki Horne. Triangle Volleyball Club is well-represented in this year’s games with Horne being one of three players taking to the courts. Horne is a high-flyer, loads of energy type of player that can bring down the hammer. This future UCLA Bruin has amassed herself quite the resume including leading Triangle to a fifth place finish in the USAV 17 Open this past summer.
Joining this group Payton Peterson, a future Louisville Cardinal, this is a player that comes from a LONG line of volleyball royalty. With older sisters that have played at Texas and UNI, Peterson’s mother, Bobbi is also the head coach at UNI as well. No wonder this player is such a powerhouse. She’s learned from the best! Peterson has become somewhat of the golden child for Iowa’s Six Pack Volleyball club, an emerging program in their own right. After leading Six Pack to a national title in 17 National at USAV Nationals (Only dropping 2 sets!), Peterson was named the MVP of the tournament.
Speaking of clubs being well-represented at this year’s UA All-American games, Dynasty is another big name. For Team Fire, they have Skyler Pierce, Team Ice brings on Carlie Cisneros. A once dynamic duo for Dynasty will now go head-to-head in this week’s festivities. Cisneros has been turning up the heat as of late. Noted as one of the class’ top six rotation prospect, Cisneros can play every position at a high level. She’ll be heading to Arizona next Fall as the program embarks into a new era in the Big XII.
Last but not least, we have another BIG XII bound player rounding out the list. Amanda Mack will complete the outside hitters for Team Ice. This player has had quite the year. After a successful club career at K2, Mack has joined IMG in their inaugural volleyball class. This player has really been on the rise since joining IMG. At one point, Mack was committed to Bradley University, but she has recently announced her commitment to the University of Cincinnati.
Rowdy Right Sides
Get you a player that can really do it all. All of club season, we were watching Laynie Smith go to town in the middle. For the games, Smith will be crushing it on the right pin. When an attacker can have this much range, at this high of a level, it makes them so much more dangerous. I am excited to see Smith on the pins. This is another Triangle kid too! We will be getting a heavy dose of this club from pin to pin in Orlando.
On the flip side, we have the big guns of Bailey Higgins for Team Ice. An explosive, high flying lefty attacker, this may be one of her last indoor games. Maybe not a first for UA Next, but Higgins will be hanging up the shoes after high school in exchange for the beach! A stout blocker on the beach and her lefty ways. It’s no wonder she has found such success in the sand. Higgins will be going to Tallahassee in the fall to join Florida State’s beach program.
The Mighty, Mighty Middles
The crew of middles we have on tap at these games are brutal! It’ll be a slugfest and a house party all in one. Kicking it off for Team Ice, we have Favor Anyanwu. One of the most dominating presences in the middle, the kid is a tank! If you find yourself in line with one her swings, good luck getting back up! This future USC Trojan was also another member of this summer’s U19 Gold Medal squad in Croatia. A total game changer for USA in their comeback win over Turkey, Anyanwu posted 18 points in the title match.
A lot of Florida Gators will be on display here in Orlando. The next big Gator in the making will be Alec Rothe out of Ohio. Rothe is another one of those “do-it-all” athletes. A multi-sport athlete, I’ve also seen Rothe play just about every position on the court throughout her prep career. This dynamic play will be a lot of fun to watch this week. This week will also mark Rothe’s very last high school match as she will join the Gators this January.
And rounding out the middles, we have a future Oregon Duck to lookout for. Another Big Ten bound player. Not only does Mia Tvrdy have some serious fire power, but she’s an impeccable blocker! This will be my first time seeing Tvrdy live in action! I am ready!
Pick Up Duty
Good luck to anyone looking to put a ball down on this side. Between these two defenders, you’ll have to work! First on the list of ‘bros coming to Orlando, we have the future Nittany Lion, Ava Falduto. One of the top rated defensive players in the class, Falduto will be a terror on the court. It’ll also be a real treat to see what Penn State will look the next few years with Falduto and Starck.
Team Ice could really throw us all for one with all of their multi-positioned players. Asia Thigpen is yet another one of those multi-faceted players. Throughout her prep career, Thigpen has been responsible for bringing the hammer for Triangle VBC. Yes, another Triangle kid in the mix! Finding her groove in the back court shouldn’t be too big of an ask however. This future Kentucky Wildcat is noted as one of the top defensive and passing pins in this class.
Who’s Running the Show?
From pick up duty to the hammers, who will be putting the game in play? Leading Team Ice this week, we have team captain, Izzy Starck. Another Nittany Lion in the bunch, Starck is noted by many as the top recruit of this 2024 class. She’s used to running an offense with a bunch of giants with her highly successful club career with Colorado Juniors. If you’re looking to catch Starck in action one last time before the fall, this is the place to do it!
As we will be getting a peak at Penn State’s first and second contact for years to come, we’ll also get a look at Florida’s second and third! Rounding out this impressive roster, we have future Gator, Taylor Parks. This week will be the first we see the future connection between Parks and Rothe in action. With the play of both Starck and Parks, Team Ice will be a tough group to defend.
Coaching Committee
Every year the Under Armour Next committee brings in not only the best talent on the court, but off the court as well. This year, the games bring in some big names to lead these players. Leading the call for the Team Ice, we have head coach Jason Young. Coach Young has built himself quite the career at one of the top programs in Indiana. In his 13th season with Hamilton Southeastern, Young has amassed a record of 353-66. Most recently, Young led the Royals to a 33-0 season, winning the Class 4A State Title.
Acting as his second in command, we have another UA All-American alum and former Penn State All-American, Jonni Parker. Much like her counterpart on Team Fire, coach Parker’s intro speaks for itself. An illustrious playing career that includes leading Penn State to two consecutive Elite 8 appearances, Parker shifts her focus to coaching. As of late, Parker has rejoined Munciana as full-time coach. She’ll act as the 16 Open Blaze head coach this club season.
Tune In!
The Under Armour All-America Games will be televised live this year on ESPNU. If you want to watch some of the most elite volleyball in the country, be sure to tune in on January 2nd at 3:30 PM EST!