AAU National Standouts From Wave 4: PART 3

<!-- 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><strong><em>Don't miss out on all the fun with Prep Dig this summer! Don</em></strong><em><strong>‘t miss out on more exposure! Sign up today for any of the upcoming&nbsp;<a href="https://prepdig.com/showcases-2/">Prep Dig Stock-Up and Freshman Showcases&nbsp;</a>using the code&nbsp;LineShotVBDig2024&nbsp;for a discounted rate!</strong></em>&nbsp;<em><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/showcases-2/">(CODE IS GOOD FOR ALL SHOWCASES ANY WHERE IN THE COUNTRY!)</a></strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the end of Wave 4 comes the conclusion of this year's Girls' AAU National Championships.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wave 4 featured ALL of the 17s divisions in their full glory. A division that features some of the top talent in the entire country, this wave left no crumbs! We got to talk about all of the studs that were on display in Orlando, Florida.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Without further ado, let's take a look at the final part of 3 of the standouts at AAU Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Addison Makun - KIVA</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top middle blockers in the nation was on full display in Orlando. On the hunt for another national title, unfortunately coming up short, Makun still managed to shine as an elite level blocker!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Anna Powell - KIVA</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Georgia Southern bound outside hitter has really grown into quite the terminal attacker on the pin. Powell pulls a lot of weight on this KIVA squad when it comes to point production and service reception. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kate Rush - Lexington United</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Western Kentucky bound setter continues to look more and more like an elite level setter. Kate Rush was dishing the rock extremely well throughout the AAU National run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">McKenna Garr - Northern Lights</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McKenna Garr has all of the makings of an insanely elite 'bro. Yes, she is a digging and receiving machine. But it's everything else that she brings to the game that gets me so fired up. Seeing her fling around the second ball as if she's a top notch setter is so much fun to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mesaiya Bettis - Northern Lights</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When it doubt, chuck it up to Mesaiya Bettis and all is well. This player was executing and terminating throughout just about every zone of the court. She's a clutch-time performer and you can always count on her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bella Bullington - Sports Performance</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Had Sports Performance pulled out the 'ship, Bella Bullington would've been the undisputed MVP pick. An absolute lightning rod performer under the biggest of lights and on the big stage, Bullington has such a keen sense for the court, it is how she point scores so efficiently.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='206545' first='Manaia' last='Ogbechie'] - [program_tooltip program_id='510736' first='Sports' last='Academy']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, this player is the real deal. A rather under the radar name coming into her Nebraska commitment a month ago, [player_tooltip player_id='206545' first='Manaia' last='Ogbechie'] used AAU Nationals as the perfect stage to prove herself. Whether she was in the middle, or on the pin, Ogbechie SOARS! She can straight up clear the biggest of blocks and missile away a kill like no tomorrow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Anya Baklanko - [program_tooltip program_id='510736' first='Sports' last='Academy']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You have to give this player some major props. Playing up two age groups in the 17 Open is a daunting task. For Anya Baklanko, she makes things look quite effortless and fits right in with some of the top setters in the gym. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='315212' first='Charlotte' last='Kelly'] - NorCal</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This middle blocker was doing all sorts of work in Orlando. From her top notch blocking to her offensive prowess, Charlotte Key was giving teams so many fits. She's a tough player to contend with given her size and imposing physicality.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='366674' first='Lucy' last='Chertock'] - NorCal</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right alongside Kelly, [player_tooltip player_id='366674' first='Lucy' last='Chertock'] is so much fun to watch. She's a top notch passer that could withstand the toughest of serves. Chertock then goes on the offensive and has just about every shot in the book. She can bring the muscle big time and then cut up some insane shots to keep defenders on their toes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->