Classics in the 17/18 Open at Can Am (Pt. 2)

<p><em><strong>Be sure to follow @lshotvb on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">Tik Tok </a>and <a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a> for all things volleyball!</strong></em></p>   <p><em><strong><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7634737446969691423?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7621309005139035661" id="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7634737446969691423?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7621309005139035661"><em><strong>What Happens when you get a court full of D1 Commits? See for yourself... </strong></em></a></strong></em><strong><strong><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7634737446969691423?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7621309005139035661" id="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7634737446969691423?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7621309005139035661">📍 🤯 </a></strong></strong></p>   <p><strong><em>--</em></strong></p>   <p>The Can Am Classis has come and gone! This year's edition of the international clash was truly one for the books.</p>   <p>The Midwest teams in attendance, once again, showed up, showed out and dominated. In the 17/18 Open Division, we had a flurry of fun story lines that included Circle City's 17 Black (17-2s) taking down one of the top rated teams in the country. Michigan Elite's 16 Mizuno (16-1) had themselves an upset win over a ranked squad to earn a berth into the higher age division. The competition was red hot here.</p>   <p>Let's break it all down of who all shined the brightest. There are plenty of names to discuss, be sure to check out these athletes!</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='470031' first='Avery' last='Kapeller'] - High Performance</h2>   <p>It's truly admirable to see this player able to lead her team the way she does throughout her career. This was maybe the biggest example of that here in Can Am. [player_tooltip player_id='470031' first='Avery' last='Kapeller'] is a scoring machine from just about anywhere on the court. No matter the scenario, she's funneling in a tough ball, if not a kill. Her leadership was critical in HP's high finish in a tough 17/18s field.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lyla Gorney - High Performance</h2>   <p>While this team may have been down, they certainly weren't out and Lyla Gorney stepped up huge in making that happen. This middle's growth from last season to now has been an incredible watch. Gorney is playing with a new level of confidence and putting a new pop on the ball. She was the second in command on the court when it came to scoring and it bid her well. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='575131' first='Jordyn' last='Blair'] - Circle City</h2>   <p>In just a few short weeks, this is going to be one of the hottest commodities on the market. [player_tooltip player_id='575131' first='Jordyn' last='Blair'] is one of the most electrifying middles in the country and you got to see why in Detroit. She's a power player at the net. Whether it is her blocking or her blasting a ball into play, Blair is as phsyical as they come.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='807856' first='Audrey' last='Utterback'] - Circle City</h2>   <p>I've said this before, but if there is anything you can expect from an Utterback is that you have some serious ball control and the gnarliest of shots. [player_tooltip player_id='807856' first='Audrey' last='Utterback'] is very much the heart beat of this Circle City team due to both of those things. Her ball control and defense allows this offense to operate at a full arsenal and furthermore allows her all the avenues needed to score at ease.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='442228' first='Avery' last='Thorp'] - MVA</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='442228' first='Avery' last='Thorp'] has really found her footing this season after joining forces with MVA. In the middle, she acts as the team's first line of defense and she does this job extremely well. When she's not getting the stuff blocks, she's creating really good slow downs. Thorp had a great weekend in the middle.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='459740' first='Aubrey' last='Reynolds'] - MVA</h2>   <p>Fresh off of her commitment announcement, [player_tooltip player_id='459740' first='Aubrey' last='Reynolds'] was playing with an extra pop in her hop. Against some staunch competition, Reynolds was putting in some big swings and playing great defense as a six rotation option for MVA. This player continues to ascend in the ranks.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='526553' first='Liv' last='Wender'] - Legacy</h2>   <p>She may be young, but she surely does not play like it. [player_tooltip player_id='526553' first='Liv' last='Wender'] could very much make herself a conversation to be a top rated setter in the 2027 class, but she's only a 2028. When you watch Wender, you very much get the sense that she RUNS the show. Her leadership despite her youth is what drives this team to the heights that it reaches. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='947938' first='Aliyah' last='Potapenko'] - Legacy</h2>   <p>We featured this one in our previews of the uncommitted in the tournament, and again, [player_tooltip player_id='947938' first='Aliyah' last='Potapenko'] proves the head scratcher. This was another stellar weekend for the 6'3 middle. Her net play is something that fits well within the best in the Open division. Potapenko was a shut down blocker and a key offensive threat every step of the way for 17-2 Adidas.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='523847' first='Rory' last='O'Connell'] - Legacy</h2>   <p>The more i watch this player, the more I stand on her being a 'steal' for Grand Valley State. [player_tooltip player_id='523847' first='Rory' last='O'Connell'] is the engine that keeps this machine chugging along. Whether she is in the front or back row, O'Connell is consistently a viable threat offensively. Her versatility goes beyond her ability to score from the back row, but her ability to score in situations other opposites wouldn't dare to take a swing on.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='710832' first='Anneliese' last='Weber'] - Michigan Elite</h2>   <p>To see this player's growth from the beginning of the season to now is something to marvel at. Despite the outcome of the weekend, [player_tooltip player_id='710832' first='Anneliese' last='Weber'] was one of the shining stars on the court. From her movement around the court to her consistency in tempo and location, Weber continues to raise her stock.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='523872' first='Anika' last='Jaroszewski'] - Michigan Elite</h2>   <p>We don't talk about the the littles enough, especially the ones that play in more DS type roles, but [player_tooltip player_id='523872' first='Anika' last='Jaroszewski'] definitely made her statements on the court this weekend. Despite the puzzling losses, Jaroszewski maintained a composed nature to her role. She provided stability from her back court play and created opportunities with her serving pressure.</p>

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