Team Profile: AVC 16 Red

With a runner-up finish at the recent Central Zone Invitational, this is a team to keep and eye on. Following their ninth place finish a week ago at the Nike Classic, they rebounded with a great showing and a silver medal in the 16 Open division in Indianapolis among a collection of similar teams. Significant results this past weekend include wins over Circle City 16 Purple, NKYVC 16-1 Tsunami, and Academy 16-1 Yeti, along with two tough 2-1 losses, including in the championship bout, against Legacy 16-1 Adidas. Let's take a look at what they bring to court.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/AvaryBrown.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-733070" style="width:234px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='501007' first='Avary' last='Brown']</figcaption></figure>   SETTERS One of the key pieces for this team's offense last year, and again part of the fuel for their terrific corps of hitters, is setter [player_tooltip player_id='535850' first='Hailey' last='Gutfranski']. She has good relationships with her hitters to provide quality opportunities at the right time, while also being able to manage and balance their depth. Also setting this season is newcomer [player_tooltip player_id='501007' first='Avary' last='Brown']. Her quickness and athleticism in pursuit of the ball is one of her best attributes while she continues to develop her balance at contact and ability to get the ball on the money against the flow. She is a solid pick-up for this team and helps created a good tandem of floor leaders that will keep them competing well all season.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/526-Ellie-French.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-494579" style="width:223px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='492643' first='Ellie' last='French']</figcaption></figure>   DS/LIBEROS As I have continued to mention with AVC prospects, their high quality and efficient ball control and defense are mainstays in Ohio in terms of the sound fundamental development and impact these athletes make, whether as a DS/L or a six-rotation pin. [player_tooltip player_id='569698' first='Milani' last='Marrero'] (*pictured) continues to emerge as one of the better 2027 libero prospects in Ohio. The way she competes in the jersey is something to take notice of regarding her patience and the balance she establishes during point flow, especially when the opponent is about to make contact on the ball. She is consistently stopped and ready with the expectation that she will need to make a play, which helps in her preparation-to-pursuit. Also back making solid contributions is [player_tooltip player_id='492643' first='Ellie' last='French']. The 5'3 defensive specialist can fill the libero jersey if needed and likely would for many other teams. She is quick and efficient in her movement with reaction time and range to keep the ball off the floor in all directions.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/user-uploads/IMG_5984-e1738001394272.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-743124" style="width:259px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kyla Williams</figcaption></figure>   MIDDLES/OPPOSITES One of the best attributes about this team is their versatility, which is exemplified among these next prospects with some having big ability to make an impact in the middle while also doing damage at the right pin. [player_tooltip player_id='480840' first='Kyla' last='Williams'] is our top-ranked prospect in the Ohio 2027 rankings and for good reason. At 6'4, she is a very difficult match up for any opponent. Her athleticism and physicality is Power-5 worthy at the next level and there is no doubt a lot of eyes will continue to stay on her until she makes a decision about her best college fit. [player_tooltip player_id='480836' first='Rylan' last='Acton'] stands at 6'1 and has good skills and physical tools of her own on both sides of the ball to make big contributions. Her arm can score with power and movement and she reads and reacts well defensively to set a good tone of pressure when blocking. The 5'11 [player_tooltip player_id='592203' first='Addison' last='Lefeld'] is becoming more and more dynamic in what she can do with her arm, which starts will good motion and lift to get up and take big swings at the top of her jump. Whether through quicker tempo options or opportunities with a little more time, these attackers have good depth in their tools offensively while offering up a skilled and imposing presence defensively. Also in the middle is 6'2 [player_tooltip player_id='763919' first='Emily' last='Martin']. She is a prospect we are watching to get an early-season evaluation to better assess her growth over the season. She has good length that helps her develop high contact. So far, her improving arm control indicates good awareness and effort to find space upon contact at the net.   OUTSIDE HITTERS [player_tooltip player_id='480834' first='Anne' last='Culkar'] is back and a top option for this offense on the power side of the floor. As she is not going to dominate because of her size at 5'9, she can win a net battle with range, good pace, and I.Q. that helps her decision making both in and out of system. She is one of those hitters that can frustrate you because she has multiple offensive tools at the point of contact. The 6'0 [player_tooltip player_id='481209' first='Payton' last='Beard'] brings a different look. Making the move from a different club in 2024, she has good size at the pins and some natural power in what she can produce upon contact. Bear also brings with her veteran experience having been an offensive leader for her high school team in her first two varsity seasons. As this club has history identifying and securing valuable talent outside of Ohio, Julia Cernich is a pin that fits that mold. Making the move to AVC from another club in the Pittsburgh, PA area, Cernich is a needed addition to help their left side action and depth. At 6'0, one of the key pieces to her success is her arm speed at the moment she begins to swing to contact. She builds good momentum and when her feet get to the ball she can maximize her touch point to challenge the defense well at the net.   The quality of this group individually is very good and they don't lose much at all in terms of competitiveness and production when making personnel changes. Expect them to be in the mix for podium finishes throughout the season. Their next opportunity is one of the best events of the season in Triple Crown NIT (Kansas City), which is any early-season national event that typically features many of the country's elite prospects and teams in each age group under one roof.

With a runner-up finish at the recent Central Zone Invitational, this is a team to keep and eye on. Following their ninth place finish a week ago at the Nike Classic, they rebounded with a great showing and a silver medal in the 16 Open division in Indianapolis among a collection of similar teams. Significant results this past weekend include wins over Circle City 16 Purple, NKYVC 16-1 Tsunami, and Academy 16-1 Yeti, along with two tough 2-1 losses, including in the championship bout, against Legacy 16-1 Adidas. Let's take a look at what they bring to court.