Lone Star Regionals: 16s – Standout Right Sides
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The George R. Brown Convention Center, in downtown Houston, was packed last weekend as it hosted one of the most anticipated tournaments in the club volleyball season for Texas players, the Lone Star Regionals. With almost 600 teams entered to…
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Continue ReadingThe George R. Brown Convention Center, in downtown Houston, was packed last weekend as it hosted one of the most anticipated tournaments in the club volleyball season for Texas players, the Lone Star Regionals.
With almost 600 teams entered to compete in the 12 divisions, the tournament offered another opportunity for clubs to qualify for the upcoming Girls Junior National Championship and attracted competitors from all over the Lone Star State.
Prep Dig was in attendance on Saturday, when we got to watch 12 of the 54 teams that competed in the 16 Bid division. We’ve been using the week to highlight the ones that stood out with their play, and will complete the series with the high-scoring right sides:
English was one of the main scoring options in her Houston Stellar 16 Elite team that got six wins in seven matches and secured a bid to the 16 USA division. The high-flying right side hitter used all of her resources to score, making contact with the ball at a high point and swinging with power. A lefty, English adjusted her body extremely well to each set and always had plenty of options to pick from in her swings. She was very versatile offensively, hitting quicker and higher sets with great efficiency, and used her quick left arm to beat blockers when they stood in her way.
Tuiasosopo and her Alamo 16 Premier team ended the week with five wins and two losses, earning a bid to the Nationals. Originally an outside hitter, she adjusted well to the right when used there, scoring with consistency from both pins. A very explosive player, Tuiasosopo displayed great power in her swings and was also pretty resourceful. She was at her best when hitting quicker sets on the right and was able to swing into a really sharp angle, avoiding blockers and defenders altogether.
Avery Grant
Avery Grant
Grant was with the SA Juniors 16 Adidas team that left the event with two wins and three losses. She was very stable for them, offering the team a reliable scoring option on the right. Grant made great use of her reach, fully extending her arm to make contact with the ball and hitting it to the end line, to avoid blockers – she was very accurate with her swings and made very few mistakes. The right side hitter also had solid defensive contributions, getting several touches with her blocking and peeling off the net very well to get digs.
Sienna Sweeney
Sienna Sweeney
Sweeney was a part of the Austin Skyline 16 Black team that completed their campaign in Houston with two wins and three losses. She used her length very well offensively, finding nice angles with her swings and making very few errors. Sweeney was also very productive in out-of-system plays or situations where she had to face two blockers. She had a good presence with her blocking too and contributed with her passing on some rotations.
Stella Hernandez
Stella Hernandez
Hernandez did a nice job playing on the right for the United VBA 16 Purple team which got one win and four losses. Although not very tall, she got off the floor well and found good solutions to out-of-system plays. Hernandez had good power in her right arm and was able to swing with impressive precision, finding nice spots and avoiding errors. She also joined the team’s serve-receive system on some rotations, displaying solid ball controls.