January Thaw: 16u Showstoppers That Brought the Heat

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I wanted to wrap up my coverage of the January Thaw by showcasing some of those 2027 showstoppers that I saw on the court last weekend. These players all embraced their role and brought their A-Game. I was truly impressed with each one's skill level, dedication, and competitiveness. Below are some of the best 2027's that ruled the court this past weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Remember to follow me on Instagram @Prepdigamy and Facebook @PrepDig Amy for up to date event coverage, stories, and more.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["499176"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67a2ae2c79098"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Schulte was one of the most impressive attackers in the entire tournament. She was powerful, explosive and so dynamic to watch as she attacked from everywhere on the court. One of the main reasons that Schulte was so impressive was due to her agility and versatility. She managed to get her hand on anything and everything that was sent her way and routinely put down a powerful attack regardless of the ball's location. She is one of those players that can always make something good happen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["455612"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67a2ae2c790fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The championship showdown between the NL's 1 and 2 was quite the battle. NL 16-2 won in the end and this was due in large part to the play of Garcia. This quick libero was all over the court, digging balls, making saves, and her block coverage was fantastic. She used not only her quick speed but her reading ability to dominate in the back court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["748395"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67a2ae2c79149"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I am not quite sure how I have never heard of [player_tooltip player_id='748395' first='Isabell' last='Scheuch'] before the Thaw, but I certainly won't be able to forget her after. Scheuch was a highly effective middle that read well, moved efficiently, and put up a huge block. She also had a heavy, quick swing. Scheuch was also versatile while attacking and generated several kills out of the middle, by running routes, and hitting from the right pin.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["394398"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67a2b314c7ef9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rodberg has a wickedly, quick arm swing and huge vertical. This was quite the impressive combination on the court. Just when I was sure that the opposing teams block would stop her, Rodberg just went up higher and over the block....repeatedly. She also moved her shots around the court alternating the landing between down the line and deep cross. Quite simply, she showcased how to score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["748820"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67a4f1aad209b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Robinson was one of the most impressive 2027 middle blockers over the weekend. Playing for Kairos Alpha, she ruled the net with how fast and fluid her movements are. She had blocking down to an art form with her impressive footwork and quick side to side movements. She equally impressed with her quick, powerful swing that is jaw dropping, especially on her slides.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["555781"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67a4f1aad2114"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Serve receive is one of the most important key aspects of the game. When I watched CIA play, Hogan held down the back court with her solid serve receive. She was able to keep her team in system for much of the tournament. Her contributions did not stop there. Hogan was also scrappy on defense and covered a lot of ground by picking up numerous pushes and tips with her good reading skills and quick first step. Teams were not able to get much by her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["748877"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67a508669e55b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I feel like DS's do not get enough love or shoutouts and seem to be overlooked…when in fact, they are honestly some of the biggest game changers on the team. [player_tooltip player_id='748877' first='Katelyn' last='McKay'] was a DS that caught my attention for her Kairos team. She was solid in serve receive, was impressive in digging and defense, and she took some huge rips out of the backcourt to be an effective offensive weapon for her team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["396878"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67a519eb9fe6c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cotton had a good tournament overall as her team brought home the gold. Cotton did a great job getting her feet to the ball. Rarely do you ever see her passing anything. Thus, she was able to deliver clean, quick sets to her pins and found her middles in transition. She also had a really good connection with her hitters. She knew exactly what each needed and spread out her offense to get them all involved…and it paid off in a big way for her team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->