Top-Tier Pin Talent on Display at GEICO Girls Volleyball Invite

<p>What a moment for high school volleyball.</p>   <p>The GEICO Girls Volleyball Invitational wasn't just a gathering of some of the top prep talents in the United States. It was a chance to bring these extraordinary players for a competitive tournament in front of a national TV audience. It was another opportunity to grow the sport--and show how much it has already grown.</p>   <p>Time to break down some of that action. So many electric athletes rose to the forefront at Papillion-La Vista South High School, and you know we're going to give them their due praise. </p>   <p>Let's start with the outside hitters.</p>   <p></p>   <p><strong>Pin Prowess</strong></p>   <p>If you have any inclination toward elite outside attackers, this was the event for you.</p>   <p>San Diego's Cathedral Catholic High School is widely recognized as the top high school team in the country right now, so it's no surprise that the Dons brought some heat from the pin. As expected, the team's run to the GEICO Girls Volleyball Invitational championship was centered around senior outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='161445' first='Julia' last='Blyashov']. The Stanford commit's vast array of skills just keeps astounding me. Blyashov can pass, hit with incredible range, and plays nimble floor defense in the middle-back area. Whether it's with the Team USA youth team or on her top-ranked high school squad, Blyashov has the skills to shine in any venue.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1578540611971387393?s=20&t=Q7nYkcJQS9sMNdnxOZ5Ieg </div></figure>   <p>Of course, it takes more than one outside hitter to make up an elite team like Cathedral Catholic. The Dons boast some great pin-hitting balance with <strong>Milan Bayless</strong> also taking on a feature role on the outside. At opposite, Oregon commit [player_tooltip player_id='161450' first='Noemie' last='Glover'] lived up to the billing and delivered some incredible cross-court kills that electrified the team's enthusiastic fanbase.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1578545996891496448?s=20&t=Q7nYkcJQS9sMNdnxOZ5Ieg </div></figure>   <p>For the fans that hailed from my home base in Nebraska, it was no secret that Papillion-La Vista South was bringing some quality pin attackers to its home court last weekend. The Titan attack is centered around South Dakota commit [player_tooltip player_id='109585' first='Lauren' last='Medeck'], who is still finding new ways to fit into the Papio South lineup. The junior has gotten a few reps on the right pin lately, and Medeck has also taken a healthy amount of swings on 2-ball combination plays. Her versatility has no limits.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1578491779753517056?s=20&t=Q7nYkcJQS9sMNdnxOZ5Ieg </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='59192' first='Stella' last='Adeyemi'] also remains a major factor in Papio South's successes. The Hawaii-bound senior has worked hard to hone her ball control skills and is showing plenty of range in her final high school season. Other pin hitters keep rising up for the Titans, too, including senior opposite <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='171618' first='Shealie' last='Wiebers']</strong> and sophomore left-side hitter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='189347' first='Chloe' last='Livingston']</strong>.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1578510429172936704?s=20&t=Q7nYkcJQS9sMNdnxOZ5Ieg </div></figure>   <p>Meanwhile, Skyview High School from Nampa, Idaho, came into last weekend's tournament with a nice blend of established stars and emerging standouts on the pins. There was no question that Oregon commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='201009' first='Alex' last='Acevedo']</strong> would lead the charge for the Hawks, and she did a whole lot of scoring in Omaha. Acevedo is a steady, fluid athlete who doesn't need a perfect approach to bury the ball. Her indefensible angles were something to behold last weekend, and this future Duck will have no problem fitting in at the next level.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1578492826152710145?s=20&t=Q7nYkcJQS9sMNdnxOZ5Ieg </div></figure>   <p>It also feels like we got a glimpse into Skyview's bright future. Freshman left-side hitter <strong>Bellamie Beus</strong> had an impressive outing in Omaha and built on her impressive debut campaign for the Hawks. This multi-talented athlete showed so much poise while competing alongside seasoned veterans like Acevedo and senior opposite Sydney Nay.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1578508450677473281?s=20&t=Q7nYkcJQS9sMNdnxOZ5Ieg </div></figure>   <p>Florida's Ponte Vedra High School is another team that gets its pin production from a variety of classes. Senior outside hitter <strong>AG Redick</strong> had perhaps the most success in this position group. Her effortless elevation allows her to establish a great rhythm on just about any tempo. On the other side of the rotation, junior<strong> Ava Grall</strong> got involved in several clutch situations for the Sharks. Likewise, sophomore opposite <strong>Ryan Murphy</strong> was productive against some intimidating left-side blocking, and that high-level experience will serve her well heading into the mid-October grind.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1578536439192485889?s=20&t=Q7nYkcJQS9sMNdnxOZ5Ieg </div></figure>

What a moment for high school volleyball.