Championship Standouts: SCV 18s National Qualifier Breakdown

<p>Championship Standouts: Who took home the championship at the SCVA 18s National Qualifier?</p> <p>IRVINE - It was three days filled to the max with some great volleyball! Several teams shined in the SCVA 18s National Qualifier as bids for the Open (3 bids), USA (3 bids), Liberty (2 bids), and American (1 bid) divisions were handed out over the weekend. The Open, USA, and Liberty divisions were played at Momentous Sports Center, while the American division was played at Open Gym Premier. These were some of the standouts in the championship matches.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>18s Open</h3> <p>Sunshine 18 LA cruised to the final match without dropping a set, going 10-0 overall in matches and securing the final 2-1 (25-19, 19-25, 15-6). Madfrog 18’s N Green was the only team to take a set off the southern California team in the championship match. However, in the long run, the team from the Lone Star State wasn’t able to fend off the consistent firepower of Sunshine.</p> <p><br /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="159518" first="Elia" last="Rubin"]</strong>, 6’2” Outside Hitter, Marymount HS/Sunshine - There’s little question as to why she is the California Gatorade Player of the Year. She provided a solid 6-rotation presence for her team with her terrific ball control and efficient point-scoring. She is committed to Stanford.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="159522" first="Kelly" last="Belardi"],</strong> 5’9” Setter, Marymount HS/Sunshine - She directed the offense with ease due to her quick footspeed and hands. She is committed to Stanford for indoor and beach.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="159519" first="Kerry" last="Keefe"],</strong> 6’3” Opposite, Marymount/Sunshine - She put up a consistent, big block for her team. The lefty consistently found scoring opportunities for her team. She is committed to Duke.</p> <p><strong>Harmony Sample, </strong>5’11” Setter/Opposite, Hebron HS/Madfrog - She played dual roles for her team, setting from the back row and attacking in the front row. In addition to her great hands, she has a whip quick arm when attacking. She is committed to Notre Dame.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>18s USA</h3> <p>Club One AZ 18 Platinum worked their way to the final, having to play Saddleback 18-Sofly twice - once on day one in pool play and then again in the championship final. In their first meeting in pool play, Saddleback was able to take a set off of Club One AZ. However, in their second meeting, Club One AZ made quick work of Saddleback taking the match in two sets (25-16, 25-11).</p> <p><strong>Mackenzie Ransom</strong>, 5’4” Libero, Perry HS/Club One AZ - She provided consistency in serve receive and had a bunch of great saves in defense.</p> <p><strong>Theresa Romero,</strong> 5’11” Middle Blocker, Xavier College Prep/Club One AZ - She moved very well laterally, patrolling the net and also always making herself available for attacking. As a serving middle, she also dug balls in defense when she was back row.</p> <h3>18s Liberty</h3> <p>Goldenwest/Tower Zero 18 Asics defeated opponents quickly through the Liberty division on days one and two to find themselves in the championship match against Top Gun 18 Adidas from Texas. Top Gun only dropped one set on day two en route to the championship match and took care of the local team in two sets (25-20, 25-14).</p> <p><strong>Shanelle Martinez,</strong> 5’10” Setter/Opposite, Burbank HS/Top Gun - She showed a lot of versatility, setting while in the back row and attacking in the front row. She ran the offense with ease when she set.</p> <p><strong>Marissa Drange</strong>, 5’11” Outside Hitter, Champion HS/Top Gun - The outside was very consistent, playing 6-rotations in the first set and showing great serve receive passing and frequently scoring with ease when attacking. She showed a lot of range when attacking, with the ability to tool the block and hit efficiently when set out of system. She is committed to the University of Idaho.</p> <p><strong>Alexandra Luzina</strong>, 6’1” Outside Hitter, St. Joseph HS/Goldenwest Tower Zero - The junior was often the recipient of sets no matter where she was on the court. A terrific all-around player, she scored points attacking from the front row and the back row.</p> <p><strong>Jaedyn Gonzalez</strong>, 5’6” Setter, Long Beach Wilson HS/Goldenwest Tower Zero - She has a great feel for the game and very consistent pace and location of sets, putting up very hittable balls for her attackers.</p> <h3><br /> 18s American</h3> <p>951 Elite breezed to the championship of the American division, going undefeated in matches, and didn’t drop a set all weekend. They defeated Coast 18-Brittani in two sets (25-7, 25-16) to take the championship.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="159946" first="Breanna" last="Mitchell"],</strong> 5’5” Libero, Linfield Christian HS/951 Elite - The libero is a spectacular defender, who refuses to let attackers find the floor. She is also a terrific out of system setter, She is committed to Cal State Northridge.</p> <p><strong>Jameson Sanders</strong>, 5’9” Outside Hitter, Heritage HS/951 Elite - The outside was an attacking force for her team in the final. She elevates well and finds ways to score off of any set. She is also a solid passer in the back row. She is committed to Cal State LA.</p>