AAU National Championships: 15 Open Day 2 Standouts

<!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow&nbsp;<strong>@lshotvb&nbsp;</strong>on Instagram and Twitter for all things volleyball!</em></h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading">Use code&nbsp;<strong>LSHOTVBUSAV&nbsp;</strong>and get $10 off your registration for Prep Dig's USAV Showcases,&nbsp;<a href="https://events.prepdig.com/info?website_id=3&amp;event_id=765">Session 1</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://events.prepdig.com/info?website_id=3&amp;event_id=766">Session 2</a>!</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":6} --> <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One day at a time, onto day 2!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Session 2 of the 2023 AAU National Championships are underway. If you thought day one was fun, day two served up a real treat with the competition getting more and more fierce. This is one fun field of athletes to hop court to court with. The stars of tomorrow, lighting it up today, we have some big time standouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at the movers and shakers of Day two of AAU Nationals in the 15 Open Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='318127' first='Henley' last='Anderson'] - 6'4 OH - Austin Performance</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":291722,"width":206,"height":268,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/01/Henley-Anderson-e1673552201214.jpg?w=789" alt="" class="wp-image-291722" width="206" height="268" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Henley Anderson</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WOW! If I had to use one word to describe this player, that's all I need. Not only is it amazing to see a player of Anderson's size at this age level, but to see just how well she can move around the court was insane. Anderson is a monster. Many teams thought they could try and contain the beast by targeting her in receive, but were often times sadly mistaken by the dime after dime Anderson passed up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='306916' first='Rileigh' last='Butler'] - 5'3 L - Austin Performance</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From one end of the height line to the net, Butler may be 5'3 but she plays like she's 6'3 with how big she can be in the back court. No ball is too far for her to get too and Butler is not one to shy away from a scrappy play or two. Butler's first contact proved critical to AP all day long and carried them to an ongoing 5-1 record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='210192' first='Lexi' last='Shondell'] - 5'10 S - Boiler Juniors</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You'll never be disappointed by a Shondell in the volleyball world. The first family of volleyball has their next offering on Boiler Junior's 15s and she's a lot of fun to watch in action. Much like older sister, Allie, Lexi has a really nice touch on the ball. She can move the offense around for great scoring opportunities. Shondell will look to lead the Boilers to a continued undefeated record going into day 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Mallory Johnson - 5'4 L - FaR Out</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can't say enough good things about this player. She was one of the top libero's in last year's 15 Open championship and she's once again making a case for herself this year. Did I mention she's supposed to be playing in the 14s division? Ya, she's that good. FaR Out can thank Johnson heavily for their 6-0 record going into day 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='226904' first='Emma' last='Keeping'] - 5'11 OPP/S - Michigan Elite</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's not much that this player can't do. Easily one of the top setters across the field in 15 Open, but then she rotates to the front court and becomes an automatic weapon on offense. Keeping can do it all. Whether she's running the offense or leading it, Keeping also brings some top tier serve and defense as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='227636' first='Emma' last='Cugino'] - 5'8 L - Mintonette</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":370198,"width":280,"height":186,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/DSC01884.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-370198" width="280" height="186" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Emma Cugino</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mintonette is a heavy favorite for the 15 Open Championship this year and there's no question why when you see what they have commanding the back row. Cugino is, by far, one of my favorite 'bros to watch so far. Its her relentless play on the ball with whatever works to keep to the play alive that I love. But then add in her impeccable out of system setting, always using her hands to speed things up, you cannot ask for more!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='538564' first='Isabela' last='Lopez'] - 6'1 OH - OTVA</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Flying off of the court and popping on the ball, Lopez is not one you want to mess with. One of the main offensive outlets for this OTVA squad, Lopez leaves no question as to why. With her reach and her arm speed, Lopez was so hard to keep up with and such an efficient scorer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Avery Paton - 5'6 L - Tribe</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's something really exciting going on in south Florida! Paton heads up the defense for the 15 Elite Cardinal squad and she's as good as they come. A really steady mover, and consistent defender, you'll never catch Paton having an off play. Her first touch is doing wonders for this team and putting Tribe as a serious contender for a title run come Wednesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Amelia Mancino &amp; Isabella Umpierre - 5'11 OH &amp; 5'11 OPP - Winter Park</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is one hot team you do not want to set off! Court 91 was the place to be today, these pair of pins were knocking down heavy weights left and right and offering no remorse. Both Mancino and Umpierre are lightning rods. The two play the game with a lot of fire and passion which made their athletic offerings even more fun to watch. Mancino holds down the fort as a heavily relied upon passing outside with a big pop to her swing. While Umpierre and her south paw are looked at as big scoring outlets for Winter Park. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>PrepDig is putting on the Stock Up Showcase series across the country for Class of 2024-26 prospects AND Freshmen Showcase Series for 2027s throughout the month of July.&nbsp;</em><a href="https://prepdig.com/stock-up-showcases/?type=Showcase&amp;state=&amp;start_date="><strong><em>Click here</em></strong></a><em>&nbsp;to sign up for YOUR event. You can use promo code “LshotDig2023” for $10 off your registration.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->