Cross Court Classic: 15 Open – Middles
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. This time, we’ll feature the middles that were solid at the net:
Olivia Theis
Olivia Theis
Theis’ presence in the middle was one of the factors that helped SA Elite 151 Navy dominate the division with five wins. Her size was unmatched at the net and she took full advantage of it to control the flow of the game on both sides of the ball. Because of her length and power, Theis was extremely effective offensively and had an incredible success rate when hitting the slide set. Her blocking was also very productive as she moved well at the net and used her long arms to take up a lot of space from opposing hitters.
Claire Beaty
Claire Beaty
With Beaty in the middle, Houston Stellar 15 Elite secured a second-place finish in the event with four wins and one loss. A very physical and long player, she impacted the game with her athleticism and solid decision-making. Beaty was more of a difference-maker with her blocking because of her ability to get off the floor quickly and the intelligent way in which she aggressively placed her hands above the net. The middle’s offense was also very efficient, even if she wasn’t the team’s main offensive option during the day.
Addison Yendrey
Addison Yendrey
Yendrey was a force in the middle for her CC Force 151 Crossfire team that ranked fourth in the event with two wins and three losses. She was very active at the net and got numerous touches on both sides of the ball. Yendrey was one of the most talented offensive players in the entire field and played a major role in her team’s offense. She was set quite often and displayed a well-developed offensive game, swinging different sets with tremendous power and in every direction. She also made an impact with her blocking.
Danara Cardenas
Danara Cardenas
Cardenas was an important piece in her Valley Venom – 151 Red team that secured a fifth-place finish with three wins and two losses. She was one of the tallest players on the team and did a very good job at the net, using her long arms to make an impact. Cardenas had some very good offensive moments, making contact with the ball at a high point and swinging with power when she was able to adjust the timing with her setter. She was also a reliable presence with her blocking, moving well at the net and getting to the pins.
Maci Cantu
Maci Cantu
Cantu and her SA Chiefs 15 Black teammates ranked sixth with two wins and three losses. Her offensive power was very important to the team as she was set quite often, scoring at a very good rate. A very tall and physical player, Cantu displayed an interesting offensive versatility, hitting from the middle, the left and the right with tremendous efficiency. Her blocking was also a factor as she read the game well and used her size to get stops at the net.