USAV Nationals Preview: Alliance 16 REN Overview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team under head coach Abbey West comes into the tournament ranked third in the AES Southern Region 16U rankings with a 12-2 region record and 47-21 overall. The team will play in the 16 National Division starting at 4 p.m. on June 25 in Indianapolis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things start with the two liberos in Brentwood Academy junior [player_tooltip player_id='724937' first='Harper' last='Broyles'] and Father Ryan junior [player_tooltip player_id='946605' first='Josie' last='Hinson']. The setters are Nolensville junior [player_tooltip player_id='946602' first='Sadie' last='Deming'] and Columbia Central junior [player_tooltip player_id='946604' first='Allie' last='Hill'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The team is loaded with solid hitters led by Valor Prep sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='946607' first='Jentelle' last='McNairl']. Brentwood juniors [player_tooltip player_id='946600' first='Sela' last='Baldwin'], [player_tooltip player_id='946606' first='Ashlyn' last='Martin'], Franklin Road Academy junior [player_tooltip player_id='836964' first='Quinn' last='Cassel'] and Christ Presbyterian Academy junior [player_tooltip player_id='807502' first='Taylor' last='Willeford'] give the team size and athleticism on the outside with James Lawson junior [player_tooltip player_id='766383' first='Yasmin' last='Urlu'] giving the team power on the right side. The team also has two powerful middles in Franklin Road Academy junior [player_tooltip player_id='946608' first='Lucy' last='Schmoke'] and Brentwood Academy junior [player_tooltip player_id='813942' first='Hunter' last='Specht'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The loaded team has won two tournaments this year. They won the 16 Open Divisions in the UA Bluegrass Tournament and the UA Players Championship in Louisville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Players to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["766383"],"_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-6a35ed1fd4a54"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Urlu (pictured) gives 16 REN a solid option on the outside with her burst and high attack point. Urlu hits balls at tough angles with a great downward trajectory. Urlu rips seams and holes in blocks with precision. Urlu is not afraid to hit balls off blocks and out of bounds when windows are tight. Urlu capitalizes big on this loaded team when she faces solo blocks after her teammates run fakes to draw blockers away from her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["813942"],"_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-6a35ed1fd4aec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Specht has incredible strength and it shows in her ability to control the net. Specht takes ones and deposits them all over the court. Specht does a good job winning jousts for big points. Specht gets on top of balls and sends them down with great trajectory. Specht has a high attack point, allowing her to hit over and around blockers. Specht also sends across nice off shots including shoves away from opponents. Expect her net play to make a difference in Indianapolis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["946604"],"_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-6a35ed6159ced"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hill has amazing touch on her sets. She mixes in jump sets to consistently hit the targets. Hill runs efficient offenses, constantly putting hitters in position to terminate balls. Hill executes a great variety of sets including back sets with little lean. Hill is not afraid to push out of system sets back toward the net. She makes the simple passes on defense. Hill is also not afraid to dive after balls to keep plays alive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["946605"],"_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-6a35ef5fa28c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hinson may not have as many flashy plays as others because she consistently makes the routine first touches. Hinson has great reflexes on defense, but still stays under control. Hinson takes as few steps to balls as possible. She keeps her body squared up to targets using a solid platform.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Note from Writer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for two years and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. If you liked the story, please copy and paste to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. You may also follow us at @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigkentucky/#">prepdigkentucky</a>, @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigtennessee/#">prepdigtennessee</a>&nbsp;or @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigoh/#">prepdigoh</a>&nbsp;on Instagram in addition to @PrepDigKy, @PrepDigTN or @PrepDigOH on X. If you feel someone in Kentucky, Tennessee or Ohio needs coverage or even have feedback on the Kentucky or Tennessee rankings, please email Mike at michaelgraham@prepdig.com. You may also follow him on X @GMCgrah or Instagram @g.michaelgraham. Subscriptions give you access to exclusive content. For a 30% discount on yearly subscriptions, enter code graham30 at checkout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->