Nike Cross Court Classic – 15 Open – Setters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most traditional tournaments annually held in Houston, the Nike Cross Court Classic was played this past weekend at the George R. Brown Convention Center, in downtown, with as many as 675 teams getting on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The gigantic tournament had 19 different divisions and Prep Dig was in attendance for the Saturday AM wave, paying special attention to the teams from the Lone Star State that were in action in the 15 Open and 16 Open divisions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/03/nike-cross-court-classic-15-open-photo-gallery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Nike Cross Court Classic - 15 Open - Photo Gallery</strong></a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several players stood out with strong performances for their teams and we'll take the week to recognize each of them. Here are some setters who left a strong impression in the 15 Open division:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["254134"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Thomas was the leading setter for the TAV Houston 15 Adidas team that dominated the division, winning the gold bracket. Having first watched her in person last December, it's really easy to see how quickly her game has been improving this club season. Thomas has very interesting physical tools but is also very strong technically. Her release is very smooth and has become more and more precise as of late. She also did a very good job with her ball distribution, using her lengthy middles when in system and trying to get her explosive pin hitters in the best possible position to score in every play. Thomas was also very solid on the backcourt, with good serving runs and big saves on defense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640f3ef3b8c2d"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":341546,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/IMG_3662.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-341546" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">TAV Houston 15 Adidas vs. WD Nation 15 White</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["339153"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Although her United VBA 15 Purple team didn't have a very good weekend, winning only two matches, Minus left a very strong impression. She played a dual role, setting when at the back and hitting at the net, and was very efficient on both of them. Minus is extremely precise with her locations and was able to dish perfect sets to the pin even when working with passes well off the net. When is system, she ran a dynamic, fast-paced offense. The setter played as a defensive specialist in the last high school season and that showed in her game as she made some big digs and worked really hard on the back. Offensively, Minus displayed good explosiveness, vision and skills to score.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640f3ef3b8d27"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17286401/640f19a92348d9086041d3a4' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640f3ef3b8dc3"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='530370' first='Yaneli' last='Rocha']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32561","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"McAllen","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"McAllen Fierce","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Rocha set for a McAllen Fierce 15-1 team that made a good run in the tournament, finishing fourth in the gold bracket. She's very dynamic on the court and did a very good job of getting to the ball when the pass was off the net. Her release is very quick too and that granted her a high level of accuracy with her sets. Rocha tried to keep as many hitters as possible involved in the team's offense but her team had a clear go-to scoring option in right side Gabriela Estringel and she wouldn't shy away from getting her the ball in key moments. She also displayed a good vertical to fight for points at the net and strong mobility on defense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640f3ef3b8f9a"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":341564,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/IMG_3870.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-341564" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">McAllen Fierce 15-1 vs. HC Strike 15 Mamba</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Positional Breakdowns:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/03/nike-cross-court-classic-15-open-middles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Middles</a> * <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/03/nike-cross-court-classic-15-open-outsides/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Outsides</a> * <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/03/nike-cross-court-classic-15-open-liberos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Liberos</a> * <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/03/nike-cross-court-classic-15-open-right-sides/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Right Sides</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["203942"],"_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_0_evaluation":"Zuniga was the centerpiece of her Valley Venon - 151 Red team that ended the weekend with two wins in five matches. Very intelligent on the court, she made big plays for her team and had a pivotal role in running their offense. Zuniga was very smooth when setting and was able to remain accurate even in tough situations. She also took on hitting duties when at the net and scored at a good rate using her surprisingly powerful right arm. A very complete player, the setter made some strong defensive plays on the backcourt and even strengthened Valley Venon's passing system when she wasn't setting.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640f3ef3b902b"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":341573,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/IMG_3955.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-341573" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Houston Stellar 15 Elite vs. Valley Venon - 151 Red</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Leila Washington","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32561","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"NOLA Volleyball","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"One of three teams from Louisiana to compete in the division, NOLA 15 Halee/Drew had a standout setter in Leila Washington. She has a strong combination of physical and technical skills and played a big role for her team. Washington's playmaking abilities were really solid as she displayed a quick release and good precision with her locations. She turned into a hitter when at the net and was heavily involved with the team's offense, being set in the right, left and even the middle and using her impressive leaping ability and quick right arm to beat blockers and defenders. Washington also make a big impact on the back, making some good overhead digs and hustling to recover balls that her teammates couldn't control.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-640f3ef3b9119"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/grtorres/status/1634594702333825024?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/grtorres/status/1634594702333825024?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->