H-Town Showdown #2: 16s – All-Tournament Team
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Club volleyball teams from the Houston area had another major event to play this past weekend, when the city hosted the H-Town Showdown #2, which reunited teams from the U15s, U16s and U17s divisions for matches across three venues in…
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Continue ReadingClub volleyball teams from the Houston area had another major event to play this past weekend, when the city hosted the H-Town Showdown #2, which reunited teams from the U15s, U16s and U17s divisions for matches across three venues in the area.
Prep Dig was in attendance on Saturday, when we went to the FAST Complex, to take a look at the matches in the U16s divisions. It was a very strong field, with some interesting talent, and we’ve taken the week to feature the players that stood out and raised their stocks against tough competition.
With all positions covered, it’s time we reveal our All-Tournament team selection:
Caroline Adams
Caroline Adams
Adams’ precise hands guided her team AVA TX 16 Adidas to victory in the division with three wins in as many matches. The setter was extremely well-balanced with her distribution, keeping all of her hitters involved, and also very creative, moving them around when in system and working with free balls. Adams remained very precise and did a very good job when she had to track passes off the net, getting to them in a good position and keeping her locations steady. The left-handed playmaker also played good defense and made an impact from the service line.
Daisy Voskuhl
Daisy Voskuhl
With Voskuhl on the right, Texas One – 16 Royal secured a fourth-place finish with one win and two losses. She was one of the top offensive players in the entire event and played a big part in the team’s campaign, being their go-to scoring option. A big and physical hitter, Voskuhl certainly made use of her athletic tools to put the ball down, but also displayed great vision and a smart shot selection to consistently score while keeping her errors low. The right side hitter also made an impact with her blocking.
Taliah Benson
Taliah Benson
Benson was another key piece in AVA TX 16 Adidas’ victory in the division. A powerful hitter, she was the team’s most effective offensive player and was typically the one who got the ball when the game was on the line. Benson was extremely versatile offensively, hitting from the left and the middle back position with power and precision, and didn’t slow down in big moments. She also contributed on the backcourt with solid serving and some good defensive plays.
Kennedy Reddin
Kennedy Reddin
Reddin was one of the key pieces in the HJV 15 Premier team that surprised many by finishing second with two wins and one loss despite playing one age group up. A well-rounded outside hitter, she did well on both sides of the ball and was of great importance to her team. Her passing was steady all day and she displayed an interesting ability to pass and swing on the same play, not losing power or focus. Reddin used her length extremely well at the net and was very smart with her shot selection, looking for gaps in the block or ways to tool it to score.
Elliott’s strong presence in the middle helped AVA TX 16 Adidas dominate the division with three wins. A very athletic and active player at the net, she made a major impact, controlling the actions on both sides of the game. Elliott’s blocking was a huge asset for her team as she not only got several stuffs but was also able to put pressure on opposing hitters, making them hesitate up at the net and altering their shots. She was also solid offensively, despite not being set so often.
Highlights
Rebecca Lucksinger
Rebecca Lucksinger
Although her team HJV 16 Premier had to settle for sixth with one win and two losses, Lucksinger was among the tournament’s standouts and certainly one of the top middles on the court. Her high-energy game at the net paid dividends as she was very impactful, playing a major role for her team. Lucksinger’s offense was certainly her main asset as besides using her quick right arm to swing with power, she was also able to hit different sets in the middle, offering excellent options to her setter. The middle also did a good job with her blocking, moving well at the net and playing aggressively above the net.
Bailey’s defensive efforts were pivotal for HJV 15 Premier’s success in the event as they ranked second with two wins and a loss. There were some good liberos on the court on Saturday, but Bailey stood out because of how consistent and impactful she was. Her ball control was on point all day, helping her produce at a very high level on defense and serve-receive. Bailey’s quickness and agility were also remarkable and helped her get to difficult balls on the backcourt.