Premier Pin Hitters Dominate the Gauntlet

<p>The Pins came to play this past weekend at the Gauntlet. I don't know if everyone is just well-rested or amped for nationals, but they were fired up. This may be broken into 3 parts because there were a lot of phenomenal hitters lighting it up from the pins.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Copeland was swinging a mighty heavy hammer at the Gauntlet. Strong teams usually have that one player that they can go to when the game gets tight. For Dunes 16 Black, that player is Copeland. She has the vertical to multiply her reach that her 5'10 frame already provides her. Copeland's swing was proving to be a big problem for opposing blockers on Day 1 as she used finesse to control her swing and smarts to use the block.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Foster caught my attention when she took a heavy swing down the line. And then, the longer I watched, I was surprised to see she is a setter. We just love those players who can do it all. Foster has a natural approach on the right side as well as a strategic mind as a setter that gets blockers second-guessing themselves.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Vukelich caught my attention with her super smart use of the block presented in front of her. She simply knows how to get the job done wherever she is swinging from. As a young player, I'm not used to seeing such a mature approach to attacking because most are like the "Hulk" and just want to SMASH.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKqpG-8N31Y/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson was taking some big swings from either pin this weekend. Normally, I see her in the middle, but she was putting up a frustrating block on the team's best swings. She has an effective swing that is tough to time, and when she plans with her setters, they come up with a proficient plan of attack.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Prichard is a stick of dynamite because she is simply explosive. She has a great vertical and a high point of contact. Her armswing is fast, and her footwork is efficient. Prichard moves like a libero in the backcourt and digs anything that comes in her direction.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKnxMwKtSbb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Lange was making really athletic plays all over the court to save the play or get the point. She is a do-it-all type of player and isn't afraid to put the team on her back and find a way to score. Lange is solid in serve receive and has the athleticism to take some big swings out of the front row.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Inman has a wicked swing that she brings to the table. She has this nice high contact but also focuses on making to create a topspin that helps the ball die at the endline. This is one of the most frustrating things as a defender because you think you know the ball's path and where its going until it hits you and you realize you had no idea.</p>    <p></p>

The Pins came to play this past weekend at the Gauntlet. I don't know if everyone is just well-rested or amped for nationals, but they were fired up. This may be broken into 3 parts because there were a lot of phenomenal hitters lighting it up from the pins.