CRU 17 MAX- Nationals Preview: Player Takeover!

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2025 Setter [player_tooltip player_id='249189' first='Ava' last='Jo Berry'] takes us through the squad!</h2>   Thank you to Michelle Bamford from PrepDig California and Emma Adams from PrepDig Oregon for inspiring this player takeover!   We kick off a two-week run of Nationals team previews with a new format- a player from each squad has taken the reigns and provides insight into their teammates and the season. Our eighth team is CRU 17 MAX, based in Central Washington. The team earned their bid to Nationals with a 2nd place finish in the Pacific Northwest Qualifier, playing in the championship of the USA Division. CRU (Central Region United) also barreled to a 5th-place finish in the Lonestar Qualifier in Dallas, winning their first match in the Gold Bracket before falling to the eventual champions in three sets. The Slat Lake City Showdown was a step up into the 17 Open Division for the team, and they finished a solid 4-4. Head Coach Mario Andaya and Assistant Coach Morgan Halady guided the team through the three challenging tournaments and a unique and successful training model that splits the season into training and competition phases.   2025 setter [player_tooltip player_id='249189' first='Ava' last='Jo Berry'] will introduce the team, and we asked her to answer our own questions for an in-depth look at the rising senior star from Wenatchee High School.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/CRU-17-3.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-557358" style="width:659px;height:auto" /></figure>      From Ava- "Kailey is an incredibly agile middle who is a constant force in the offense. She never fails to put up a good block. Her transition work keeps the other side on their toes. She is vocal and one of the most athletic and competitive players out there."   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/41yXaLxL6HI?si=TvkSmg1ypUN9HFdv </div></figure>     From Ava: "Alana Uses her height and length to our team's advantage by having a monster block and versatile swing. She is a threat at the net and can always find the open court on offense. "      From Ava- "She plays tough on the pin and in the back row. Stella is consistent and can always be counted on in tight situations. Her ball placement and ability to adjust to sets are impressive … Plus, she can smash it! "   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/hgiTQDKVZ1Q?si=JrVsOVbFG7Gc_1Bz </div></figure>     From Ava- "Breven has a beautiful high arm swing that is hard to defend, and she is consistent in serve-receive. She is also very vocal on the floor, which makes her a key part of the offense and defense."   <a href="https://sportsrecruits.com/athlete/breven_luinstra" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://sportsrecruits.com/athlete/breven_luinstra</a>     From Ava- “Emme controls the court with consistent serve-receive and great control over her digs, helping us run a fast-tempo offense. She can place the second ball perfectly to aid our team when we're out of system. Our attackers are confident when she steps in to set them from the libero spot."     From Ava- "Rylee is quick and powerful at the net. She always puts up a ferocious block, and her jumping ability makes her a great option for in-system plays. "   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/CZFY6BVbHZI?si=YcKoqwzkG0qeOxb8 </div></figure>     From Ava-"Macie's fast arm swing creates super impressive swings on the right side. She's quick and can make hustle plays on balls that are headed to the floor. She can always find the open space on the court while keeping a great attitude."      From Ava- "Heather puts unbelievable effort into pursuing balls and flies around the court. Her defense keeps the rallies going and lets us score in transition. She leads the back row with her enthusiasm and energy. "   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/9HzuexEJTxM?si=Al5GiDTzOs57vQ-7 </div></figure>     From Ava- "Madilynn is a steady player in the back row with great ball control in serve receive. She reads hitters like a book and gets our team on long-serving runs with her precise floater. "   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/SYLae688V80?si=Gnv4JyIMC5Lz2fOq </div></figure>     From Ava- " Hazel is a big-time competitor on both pins and always has a good attitude. She is always available and can be counted on to make the right play in tight situations. "   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/9A2Y1RZjQJU?si=mCrL9TXv941Y9IYF </div></figure>     From Ava- "Emilee is a great defensive player who can also contribute as a setter. She has a great float serve that scores points. She is a positive teammate and great player."      <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/E_gIXnZ_cVc?si=hmbrMZT3tifAUFON </div></figure>    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/AVA-17-CRU.jpg?w=791" alt="" class="wp-image-557436" style="width:325px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='249189' first='Ava' last='Jo Berry'] </figcaption></figure>   Volleyball Honors and Accomplishments   <ul> <li>Selected MaxPreps Volleyball Player of the Year for WA State</li>   <li>WA State VB Coaches Association - All-State - First Team Setter</li>   <li>Won the WA 4A State Championship</li>   <li>Voted CBBN Conference Player of the Year</li>   <li>Voted WHS - Most Valuable Player 2X (Setter & Libero)</li>   <li>Nominated by Gatorade for their WA State Volleyball Athlete of the Year</li>   <li>PrepDig Top Performer</li> </ul>       <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/CRU-17-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-557359" style="width:772px;height:auto" /></figure>   Please tell us your GPA and any college majors you are considering. "I have a 4.0 unweighted GPA and would like to explore a major in a STEM field. I'm interested in a college that values education while preparing me for the future after college. I'm also looking for a community filled with kind, fun-loving people. Finally, I'm looking for a college located somewhere with plenty of adventures and activities.   What do you like to do outside of volleyball? I enjoy hiking, camping, painting, reading, taking my dog for walks, and finding spontaneous adventures. I am involved in the National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Earth Club, DECA, and FBLA.     <ul></ul>   What has been the best moment with the team this season(s)? "Winning the state championship would be my favorite moment, but more specifically, the locker room before the championship game. We were all lying in a circle, holding hands and visualizing our favorite pump-up song, “I'm Looking for the Bros.” Everyone was connected and felt the same urge to play for that 1st place trophy. My best friends were on both sides of me, and we squeezed each other's hands with a fierce drive and passion. There was no better way to prepare and no better group of girls to prepare with."   How do you try to be your best as a player and teammate?? " As a player, I focus on my leadership and control of the court. As a setter, you get to contribute to each ball, and I believe I utilize every opportunity to set my teammates up for success. My quick decision-making skills help me make important choices in tight situations. I also take pride in good defense. Going for every ball and being an athletic setter is very important. These skills make me a well-rounded player who will go out of the way to hype their teammates up. The most important thing as a teammate is making my teammates feel trusted and hyped up. My pregame handshakes are a ritual before every game. These little details translate off the court as well. My teammates are also my best friends. "   PrepDig Washington on Ava Jo:   The 2025 setter from Wenatchee is the 13th overall player in the PrepDig Washington Rankings and has risen in each update. Berry is a flat-out winner, as evidenced by her team's performance at state and her work during the club season. A 2nd and 5th place finish in the USA at the PNQ and Lonestar are very good results, respectively. She truly runs the show at the setter spot and provides her team with leadership, passion, and energy. Berry has libero skills on the court and impressive athleticism that lets her play big at the net. The 5'7" spark plug always makes a move or play in a match that makes fans and opposing players say, "Wow." Berry is a fighter in the best way, playing hard for her team and making the right choices to win a tight match.   Thank you to Ava Jo for contributing to our Player Takeover Preview Series! Good luck to the CRU MAX 17 squad at Nationals!