Sunshine Qualifier 15 Open: Top 4 Right Side/Opposites

<p>The 15 Open division this past weekend was packed with talent at every position. Yesterday I highlighted the outside hitters. As I was watching them I was able to find some gems from the opposite position as well. Two skills that I look at when it comes to the opposite position is their blocking and hitting. Each of the five of these prospects were able to showcase both of those skills at a high level. At the highest levels of volleyball you see how important the right side hitter is. These four athletes were able to show why they are go-to options in their teams offense. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='528589' first='Kennedy' last='Langmo'] - Top Select 15 Elite</h2>   <p>Kennedy plays like an experienced veteran hitter at her age. Her contact control and the ability to change up her hitting velocity while keeping that control is elite. When I watched her on film the first three to four swings were 80% swings high and deep to the corner or two steps away from any defenders. The next two hitting attempts came from off speed shots that also landed for points. It doesn't seem like Kennedy does anything but get the opposing teams out of system or scores her own team a point. With all of that control she's still able to come out with a big power swing to keep defenders on their heels. When you look at her defensively at the net her size and length at the position helps her blocking immensely. She has solid eye work reading the opposing setter and hitter to be in good position and on time. When you put all of that together Kennedy is going to be a prospect that as she grows her game will grow with her. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='519261' first='Journey' last='Summerville'] - WPVC 15 Armour Black</h2>   <p>Journey is a lefty right side who has an absolute whip for an arm. She uses her athleticism to scan the opposing team as if she's just waiting in the air to swing. When she decides to swing, it takes almost no time for the ball to go from her hand to the ground or off of a defender for the point. She's a focal point for her team's offense in combination with the outside I referenced yesterday. Journey is a dynamic athlete and it gives her a ton of opportunities to take advantage of back row defenders being on their heels or opposing blockers not finishing their blocks. She takes advantage of every opportunity she gets and in the film I got to watch of her she rarely didn't score. Her armswing is what really caught my eye because of how fast it is and how accurate she's still able to execute her swing. Journey is an intriguing prospect that only has up to go from here. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Isabella Lopez - Tribe 15 Elite Cardinal</h2>   <p>Isabella is a tall and long player who really uses her IQ more-so than her athleticism to score. The one thing that really stood out to me when you watch her is her blocking. She's at a different level of blocker than the other prospects on this list and a lot of it has to do with her efficiency with her movements. Whether you look at her footwork, arm placement, or hand placement it's consistently on time and in position. She rarely gets tooled off of her block because of how good she is pressing over the net early and back into the court. She may not get the block every time, but makes hitters think twice or even hit around her to stay away from a highlight reel. Her offense is tactical just like her defense, but she uses a ton of different arm angles and speeds to throw off opposing defenses. Isabella is just starting to scratch the surface on who she can be as a player in the years to come. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='535518' first='Natasha' last='Casey'] - OT 15 O Felix</h2>   <p>Natasha might be one of the top players in this class. She was one of the most impressive players I was able to watch from this weekend. Her hitting is at another level and is surprising that she's as young as she is. Her team asks a ton of her being a 6 rotation right side who is also used to hit in the back row. Anytime her team gets into trouble and needs to score, they call on Natasha to get the job done. When you break down her game the first thing you notice is her arm swing. Her arm looks like a noodle rotating at a 100mph and can execute any arm angle needed to score. Her back row attacks is the thing that really stood out to me because of the pace she's able to put on the ball while having the vision and control to place the ball in the right spot. Natasha uses her athleticism and IQ she shows on offense just as much as on the defensive side of the court. Natasha is one of the most dynamic players I have seen for the 15's age group in a long time. </p>   <p>The Class of 2027 went to the sunshine qualifier and solidified themselves to be in the conversation as some of the top prospects for their class. Each of these prospects were not only able to show off their talent but were also able to help their teams to solid finishes for the tournament. The opposite position for this class is going to be one of the better classes that we have seen in the recent past. </p>

The 15 Open division this past weekend was packed with talent at every position. Yesterday I highlighted the outside hitters. As I was watching them I was able to find some gems from the opposite position as well. Two skills that I look at when it comes to the opposite position is their blocking and hitting. Each of the five of these prospects were able to showcase both of those skills at a high level. At the highest levels of volleyball you see how important the right side hitter is. These four athletes were able to show why they are go-to options in their teams offense.