Northern Lights Qualifier: Five Texas Right Sides to Watch
Bid season has officially started in club volleyball and that means that for the next few months, goal number one for every club team in the country will be qualifying for the National Championship in their respective age groups. Some…
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Continue ReadingBid season has officially started in club volleyball and that means that for the next few months, goal number one for every club team in the country will be qualifying for the National Championship in their respective age groups.
Some Texas teams got it done last weekend, at the Adidas Lone Star Classic, in Austin, and several others will have the opportunity to book their tickets this week, when they compete at the Northern Lights Qualifier, held in Minneapolis.
The Lone Star State is sending as many as 53 teams to compete in divisions in the 15s, 17s and 18s age groups and while we wish them good luck and prepare for the event, let’s take a look at some talented Texas players who will be on the court from Friday to Sunday. Last, but not least, are the right sides who could be a force at the net for their teams:
Toree Rayford
Toree Rayford
With Rayford on the right, Peak 15 Black Bryar will be one of three Texas teams to compete in the 15 Open division. Capable of playing at either pin, she’s a really strong offensive player, who can get the ball down regardless of the situation. Rayford has a very strong approach when she goes up to hit and it looks like she doesn’t miss anything in terms of power when out of system. The right side makes contact with the ball at a very high point and has tremendous firepower to beat blockers and defenders. Because of her long arms and hang time, she’s also a very productive blocker, who gets in the way of opposing hitters, forcing them to hit around her.
Tianna Muckelroy
Tianna Muckelroy
Muckelroy will be one of the options on the right for Houston Stellar 15 Elite as they play in the 15 USA division. Her game is still a work in progress in several ways, but her physical tools already make of her a player with a strong ability to impact the game at the net. Standing at 6’1″, the lefty can be really difficult to stop at times because she makes contact with the ball at a very high point and can hit difficult angles. Her blocking is also impactful as she can be a big challenge for hitters going against her up at the net. Despite her sizer, Muckelroy has good ball control and will eventually help with a dig too as she drops from the net.
Claire Holcomb
Claire Holcomb
Holcomb will be one of the main scoring options for her team Madfrog 17 National Black in the 17 USA division. A six-footer, she gets off the floor very well and has an impressive hang time. More than that, Holcomb has incredible body control which allows her to wait until the very last second before making a decision about her shot – and she can put the ball down with a powerful swing or a well-placed shot. She can help in serve-receive too and is a very strong blocker, also being capable of playing in the middle.
Carli Briese
Carli Briese
Briese will be the focal point of the offense of her team Xcel VB 171 Adidas in the 17 Liberty division. A tall and powerful lefty, she’s a very productive scorer, who joined the team this season and immediately became a big part of it. Her offense is well-diversified, as she’s capable of hitting higher sets at the pin and also quicker ones behind the setter’s back. Despite her power and high usage, Briese is not a player who makes too many mistakes as she’s very smart and mindful with her shot selection. She also has a strong blocking presence and can be a real challenge for opposing outside hitters with her ability to get stops above the net.
A state champion with Grand Oaks, Anderson will play an important offensive role for her team TAV Houston 18 Molten in the 18 American division. She’s very efficient at the net, using her length and arm power to score points, but also putting the ball down with intelligent plays. Anderson likes to hit a quicker set on the right in which she has room to beat the block and she displays great technique on those plays to decide what to do and send the ball to the right spot in no time. She’s also very aggressive with her blocking, strongly contributing to the team’s defensive system.