Cross Court Classic: 15 Open – All-Tournament Team
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It was a busy weekend of club volleyball in Houston as the city hosted the 2024 edition of the Nike Cross Court Classic, one of the most anticipated and biggest tournaments of the season, from March 9-10. Almost 700 teams…
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Continue ReadingIt was a busy weekend of club volleyball in Houston as the city hosted the 2024 edition of the Nike Cross Court Classic, one of the most anticipated and biggest tournaments of the season, from March 9-10.
Almost 700 teams took the courts at the George R. Brown Convention Center, in downtown, competing for two days in one of the 18 divisions of the tournament.
Prep Dig was in attendance on Saturday, when we got to watch the pool play matches of the event. One of the divisions we covered was 15 Open, which featured eight teams, coming from several different regions of Texas. Some players stood out to us for their performances and we’re taking the week to report on them. After covering each position, let’s find out who made it to our All-Tournament Team selection:
Aviana Contreras
Aviana Contreras
Contreras led her San Antonio Elite 151 Navy team to a first-place finish with five wins and no losses. As the team setter, she was highly influential in their success, running their offensive with great intelligence and efficiency. A very technical playmaker, Contreras was excellent at feeling the game and feeding her hitters according to their moments throughout the match – she used her middles as much as she could, therefore freeing up her pin hitters. The setter also made a major impact on the backcourt, serving very well and playing solid defense.
Moul and her Alamo 15 Elite team finished sixth with one win and four losses. She was significantly important for them, splitting time between the outside hitter and right side positions and offering a strong offensive option at either spot. Moul was very explosive and used her length well, having great success in her swings from anywhere on the court – besides being very powerful, she also proved to have great resources on offense. Another benefit of having her on the right was the ability to have an additional passer when needed.
Highlights
Mia Nunez
Mia Nunez
Nunez was one of the pillars of the San Antonio Elite 151 Navy team that went undefeated in the tournament, getting five wins in as many matches. The outside hitter was an extremely productive offensive player, scoring at a good rate from the left and the middle back position. Nunez got really high up at the net to swing and displayed great precision to hit the ball wherever she wanted with her skilled right arm. The pin hitter also got the job done on defense and serve-receive, displaying an impressive ball control.
Klein was huge for her team Houston Stellar 15 Elite and helped them secure a second-place finish in the tournament, with four wins and a loss. An extremely well-rounded player, the pin hitter was instrumental to the team’s game and contributed to a large extent on both sides of the ball. Very explosive at the net, she was efficient with her swings, getting off the floor well, seeing the game across the net even better and hitting the ball with power and precision. Klein’s ball control and hard work on the backcourt also added a lot to the team’s defense and serve-receive.
Highlights
Olivia Theis Olivia Theis 6'1" | MB Pieper | 2027 TX
Olivia Theis Olivia Theis 6'1" | MB Pieper | 2027 TX
Theis was with the San Antonio Elite 151 Navy team that ranked first in the tournament with five wins. One of the tallest players in the division, she provided them with a huge presence at the net and knew how to use her length extremely well on both sides of the ball. Theis’ offense was one of her team’s main weapons as the middle hit several different sets with great power and was very difficult to stop because of her high contact point. She was also very mobile at the net and was very effective with her blocking, strongly contributing to the team’s defensive system.
Addison Yendrey
Addison Yendrey
CC Force 151 Crossfire got a fourth-place finish in the event with two wins and three losses and Yendrey was a big part of it. Her presence in the middle was huge for the team as she dominated the net, having a major impact on both sides of the ball. Yendrey was one of the team’s most-used offensive weapons, hitting a lot of different sets in the middle with power and precision, and scoring at an excellent rate. The middle also was very active with her blocking, getting several touches.
Katie Falcone
Katie Falcone
Falcone was part of the Alamo 15 Elite team that ranked sixth with one win and four losses. Even if her team had a difficult weekend in Houston, the libero left a positive impression with her high-energy and efficient game on the backcourt. Falcone never stopped moving on the backcourt, always looking to get on the best spot to make plays, and was very productive on defense, getting a lot of touches. Because of her quick movement, the libero got to cover a lot of court in serve-receive and was very effective with her deliveries. Falcone also served really well, consistently getting opponents out of system.