Survive and Advance: Bracket Play Is Here at AAU

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Join Prep Dig using code “AVG30” for a discount on your initial membership.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is day 3 and pool play is wrapping up. Tomorrow, teams will be back for the start of bracket play. Some teams were able to secure their spot in the gold bracket right away based on how they finished their pools while others have a crossover or challenge match standing between them and a chance to compete for the championship. Either way, tomorrow is the last day and basically, the last chance to leave it all on the court as winners advance while the defeated go home. Below are a few players who caught my attention on day 3 and I anticipate will be big contributors tomorrow as their teams wrap of the final day of AAU. </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":["785915"],"_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-6a399eec2424f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I try not to write on players in back to back articles, but there is no way to ignore how good Rowe's performance was today. Simply put, her arm is a dangerous weapon. Her combination of speed and power overwhelmed many liberos and defensive specialists. In the first game of the day, the opposing libero even took a shot off the face. While nobody wants to see players get hurt, it is a reminder of just how quickly Rowe's attacks come at defenders and how little time they have to react. Her ability to terminate at such a quick speed makes her tough to defend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["998814"],"_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-6a399eec242bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kokoro battled hard in the final day of pool play. They earned a tough win over a strong Kairos squad, only to finish in a tie and place fourth in the pool based on sets won/lost. Despite the disappointing result, one player who stood out was Dreher. Dreher is a 6 rotation outside who is explosive, transitions quickly, and attacks with a strong vertical. She uses her power effectively hitting sharp cross or down the line and impressively, she can use that big swing on out of system balls as well. Dreher was also highly effective from both pins which made her a big threat for Kokoro.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["997193"],"_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-6a399eec242fb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wiese is truly a versatile athlete. She can attack from either pin, run the bic, pass solid in serve receive, play out of the middle, and play stellar defense. She was steady all day long and came up with several big kills in big moments that helped her team earn a challenge match at the end of the day. Wiese is the type of player every coach wants on the court as she is reliable, athletic, and a big time competitor. Her skills and her ability to be put into any position make her a huge asset for this NL team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["746320"],"_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-6a399f973316d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Schlichting had a big day. As a 6 rotation outside, she is asked to do just about everything and without a break. As they say, there is no rest for the weary. However, she was clutch. She was solid in serve receive, hustled on off blocker defense, contributed at the net, dug balls out of the back row, and attacked and attacked and attacked repeatedly on the day. Her steady and reliable play helped her team earn yet another challenge match for tomorrow in an attempt to earn a spot into the Gold Bracket on the final day of AAU in the 15 Elite division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["891358"],"_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-6a39a638e7cee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Northern Lights earned its way into the gold bracket thanks to some outstanding play throughout the day by many of their players. One of the biggest contributors was Murphy. Murphy is a tall middle that puts up a massive block, takes away a lot of space at the net, and uses her length and impressive reach to get her hands on nearly everything sent in her direction. As Northern Lights enters the gold bracket tomorrow with hopes of bringing home the trophy, they will need Murphy's steady, reliable play to get them there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->