AAU Nationals’ 16 Open Highlights: Day 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Be sure to follow&nbsp;@lshotvb&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc">Tik Tok&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for all things volleyball!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>–</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Survive and advance! We've reached reached the half way point of Wave 3 at AAU Nationals and things are heating up here in Orlando.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With things coming more into focus after day 2, the race for the top 16 slots for Monday's gold bracket is getting intense. Nonetheless, some players stepped up and teams are building momentum for the all crucial Day 3 battle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at who impressed on Day 2 in the 16 Open National Championships.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Adonia Haile - M2 </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When this team was riding a wave of momentum, lot of the times it included Haile at the helm of the offense. This player is a very calm and collected presence on the court. She runs a very well balanced offense with the knack to feel out the hot hand deep into sets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Trixie Carroll - VC United </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When this player can get a good grasp on the ball, not only was it going down, but it's going to bounce! Carroll for VC United is as well-rounded as they come. She brings not only her offensive scoring ways, but she can play some nice defense as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='529624' first='Milan' last='Sayles'] - No Name </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much like Carroll, Sayles is a player that shows signs of insane volleyball. At about 6'3, Sayles already brings a mass physicality to the court and there's times that she can elevate well-beyond that already big nature. Offensively, this player brings a lot of eye catching plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='412219' first='Jansen' last='Warbritton'] - No Name</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things to always key in on with a setter is how they handle the chaos plays. Warbritton is one of those setters that consistently betters the ball on the court. Watching her a bit throughout the day struggle with team passing woes, Warbritton was impressive in her pursuits and bettering of the play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ryan Jomo - Top Select</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Something to always admire in a libero is when they give up their body for any clutch moment. Jomo is one of those fearless liberos that can get as scrappy as they come, while also bringing a lot of control as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dasia Johnson &amp; [player_tooltip player_id='538563' first='Samantha' last='McMillan'] - Wildfire </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there is anything I took away from watching Wildfire today is that they teach their outside hitters to crank some incredibly insane angles. Both Johnson and McMillan are some of the sharpest shooters in the gym. They compliment each other so well providing a constant threat on the pins and through the back row. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yet, as much as they compliment each other, their games differ quite a bit too. I say this, because I think that's where the magic lies. Johnson is this high flying, slight-undersized player with a huge pop on the ball. While McMillan has a good height advantage on her counterpart, she still brings the heat. The two give such different looks to opposing defenses that its so difficult to manage. Particularly because of how they both can be so effective.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Darby Felts - K2 </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a really exciting K2 group headed up by Felts on the left pin. Much like her older sister, Felts is a slightly undersized, high-flying dynamo. She brings the heat, but yet curates an array of shots to go along with some incredible ball control. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->