18s GJNC Preview: AJV 18 Adidas
The most important tournament of the year for the class of 2021 players is just in front of us as the 2021 USAV Girls 18s Junior National Championship is set to happen from April 23-25 in Columbus, Ohio, and as…
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Continue ReadingThe most important tournament of the year for the class of 2021 players is just in front of us as the 2021 USAV Girls 18s Junior National Championship is set to happen from April 23-25 in Columbus, Ohio, and as many as 280 teams from the entire country are expected to compete in the five divisions.
Texas will, of course, be represented in the event and we will take the time between now and the start of the tournament in Ohio to present the teams that will carry the Lone Star State flag in Ohio, analyzing their campaigns in the club season so far and highlighting their most important players.
Texas’s only representative at the 18 National Division will be AJV 18 Adidas and here’s what we know about them:
Part of the seven-time national champion Austin Junior Volleyball club, AJV 18 Adidas has won just as much as they lost in the 40 matches they played in the season with 20 results falling into each category. The team coached by Michael Garcia had top-three finishes in the season-opening Countdown City Classic 2021 (second) and the Lone Star Regional Championships (third). This weekend’s Tour of Texas Finals will be their last stop before they head to Columbus.
Here are their key players:
Maya Johnson Maya Johnson 6'1" | MB Bowie | 2021 State TX – Middle-Blocker – HS: Bowie – 2021
Maya Johnson Maya Johnson 6'1" | MB Bowie | 2021 State TX is a force at the net for AJV 18 Adidas. She forms a strong middle-blocker duo with DeAndra Pierce DeAndra Pierce 6'0" | MB Austin | 2021 State TX and the two dominate the net in a way not many others are able to. Ranked 48th on our 2021 Prep Dig State Rankings, Johnson has a very complete game as she’s equally effective when hitting or blocking. On offense, she’s got a lot of power on her right arm and can hit a variety of sets. When patrolling the net, the 6’1” Johnson typically uses her size and physicality to be very dominant. She will continue developing her game at the collegiate level at the North Carolina A&T State University.
Block Party @mayajohnsxn #HardWork2Win 🏐🙌🏾🔥 pic.twitter.com/sKP9Vsv5Hf
— Helix Elite Performance (@HelixElite) April 2, 2021
Maggie Walsh Maggie Walsh 5'10" | OH San Marcos | 2022 State TX – Outside Hitter – HS: San Marcos – 2022
Maggie Walsh Maggie Walsh 5'10" | OH San Marcos | 2022 State TX is actually a class of 2022 player but competing with older players has only made her better. The 5’10” outside hitter has a very well-rounded game and is instrumental in several aspects of AJV 18 Adidas’ playing system. Her serve-receiving and passing skills are both very strong, but Walsh is even better at the net, where she knows exactly how to get the most of her size and technical skills. She has a lot of power but most importantly manages to find the right solution for each situation. She’ll continue in the Austin area during her collegiate career as she committed with Texas State.
Trista Strasser – AJV 18 Adidas – HS: Jack C Hays – 2021
Trista Strasser’s blocking skills add a lot to AJV 18 Adidas’ game at the net. Originally a middle-blocker, she transitioned to the right side and further improved her already strong blocking game and she’s difficult to overcome at the net due to her 6’4” frame and her great blocking technique. Offensively, her game is very diversified and she’s equally strong when hitting quick sets or higher ones.
Only 2 more Club Tournaments left pic.twitter.com/XFVXIXmyKL
— Trista Strasser (@trista_strasser) March 30, 2021