Dominant Right Sides at Redlands Rendezvous in 17/18Open

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was one of the best open divisions I have seen at Redlands in a handful of years. The parity that took place was perfect for the fans. From the gold bracket championship being between the 3rd and 6th overall seeds, both from the same pool on Saturday, to the 15th/16th place match going 15-13 in the final set. There was so many great matches and even more amazing players. I wish I could write about every single team, each had multiple solid players worth covering. Let's take a look at some of the dominant right side hitters in the division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='740706' first='Anabel' last='Nelson']</strong>, Right Side for Charge Tulsa 17UA. Anabel was impressive while in the front row. Her ability to score from the right side made the opposing team really defend pin to pin. Her angle shot is something setters aren't fond of. She can bring some heat going cross court. As a blocker she reads hitters well and presses firmly. She may not get every ball but she deters hitters plenty. She will be a cornerstone for Lincoln Christian's offense this upcoming school season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='610402' first='Aliyah' last='Owens'], Right Side for TPV 17-1. She can do it all. She hits the right side and plays some back row for her team but she is an extremely capable setter if they so needed. If you saw our post on instagram, you saw her amazing vertical and how scary of a blocker she can be. Her approach and IQ make her a solid scoring option as well. She made a splash at BA this past season but... be prepared for what's to come next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='748675' first='Olivia' last='Carter'], Right Side for Charge 16UA. Unfortunately, I got to coach against Norman High this past season where I got to learn just how good Olivia is. Her game hasn't stopped growing since. She still looks dominant and can take over a game at any moment. Most outsides haven't blocked against someone who brings this much heat. Not sure if it was the sport court or she just dented the ground on one of her swings. She has the ability to be a really special player, especially on the right side. She is a big reason her team made it to the gold bracket despite playing up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='603787' first='Caroline' last='Soto'], Right Side for Rise 17-1. I have gotten to see Carolien play the last couple seasons. She has really matured in how she approaches the game and her leadership skills. She is more vocal and someone who makes her teammates better, which is an underrated quality. Her back row play is something that adds a ton of value to her team and herself personally. I think she could be a real steal for a local university.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blaire Barber, Right Side for Charge Tulsa 16UA. I have heard of Blaire but finally got to see her play in person and she lived up to the hype. She is definitely in line to be one of those dominant Jenks players we have been accustomed to seeing. Blaire provides a load of offense to her already stacked team. This team is going to do some big things, not just at the regional level but at the national level, this season. Her ability to move efficiently and play just about any position she is asked, makes her so valuable. Her wrist control is next level, she can change the angle she hits with the best of them. She is a big part of why this team is currently ranked 10th IN THE NATION.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much like liberos, right side players are grossly undervalued. Good ones are few and far between. I haven't seen a GROUP of them like this in a while. Oklahoma volleyball is undoubtedly growing and catching up to the regionas around us, dare I say even may be close to surpassing them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->