AAU Championships: 16 Open Standouts After Day 1

<!-- 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&event_id=765">Session 1</a>&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://events.prepdig.com/info?website_id=3&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 more session to go and we're in for a real treat with this group!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're only going into Day 2 and we've already seen some top notch matches. This continues to shine under spotlight following the illusive June 15th date opening up the recruiting floodgates for the 2026 class. Now, little over a week later, we have some of the best of the best in the class squaring off and bringing the heat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> Let's take a look at some of the hottest of players coming out of Day 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='156309' first='Lauren' last='Johnson'] - 6'2 MB - Michigan Elite</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've watched this kid quite often throughout the season. With a national championship on the line, Johnson knows how to come in and turn the game up a couple notches. Her blocking was on point all day long and I saw a new side of Johnson on the attacking front.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='455072' first='Larissa' last='Casatti'] - 5'8 S - Tribe</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You may see this team and notice one setter, but Tribe has themselves some real dandies at the setter position. Casatti saw a lot of playing time on Day 1 and was playing like the court was hers. She runs a really nice offense with a lot of variety in her choices.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='191402' first='Carly' last='Gilk'] - 6'2 OPP - MN Select</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watch out below, here comes Gilk! On the right pin, the left, or attacking out of the back row, you're never going to catch a break from her. The mighty lefty was crushing the competition en route to a 3-0 finish. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Josie Meyers - 6'1 MB - Munciana Indy</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You wouldn't think this player would attack with as much velocity as she does, but man was I pleasantly surprised. Meyers not only can bring down an absolute hammer, but her blocking is quite intense to go against.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='156299' first='Olivia' last='Grenadier'] - 6'1 MB - Legacy</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Time and time again, this one never disappoints. Grenadier was jumping out of the gym today. Her blocking was on point and the connection between her S Campbell Flynn is one of the most entertaining ones in the entire division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":403825,"width":265,"height":170,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-26-at-10.24.42-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-403825" width="265" height="170" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chloe Giehtbrock</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='156298' first='Chloe' last='Giehtbrock'] - 6'1 S - L2</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This may be Giehtbrock's first AAU Nationals as a setter, but this setter is not no rookie! No fear here, Giehtbrock was commanding the court from first serve to last ball of the day. Her setting contends with some of the top in the field and she brings a lot of scoring with her net play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='152052' first='Sakura' last='Codling'] - 5'5 L - Tri-State Elite</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fresh off of her commitment to UCLA, Codling seemed to have boost of energy on the court today. It could also be the fact this team is very much a contender for a national title, but nonetheless, Codling is one of the top 'bros this class has to offer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='177424' first='Keira' last='Schmidt'] - 6'3 MB - Northern Lights</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You see this player step onto the court, she stands head and shoulders above the rest. Get her in the air, there's nobody in this gym that can come close to touching her. Schmidt was smashing balls left and right today.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='156321' first='McKenna' last='Payne'] - 5'7 L - Michigan Elite</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another one of those premier 'bros in the 2025 class, Payne has her eyes on the prize here in Florida. Nothing coming Payne's way was dropping! I have a feeling that this going to be a theme throughout the week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">AaJaylah Zeno - 5'11 OPP - Premier</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":403826,"width":258,"height":163,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/06/Screen-Shot-2023-06-26-at-10.24.54-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-403826" width="258" height="163" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Caleigh Ponn</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no looking down on this player when she takes flight. Zeno is one exciting player to watch in action. Almost effortlessly, Zeno flies out of the gym and has the muscle to score on the toughest of opponents across the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='196556' first='Caleigh' last='Ponn'] - 5'6 L - NC Academy</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Academy didn't have the best of outings, but Ponn's star was shining very bright all day long. Nothing was off limits when it comes to picking up a ball with Ponn, making it a field day to score on her. </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 -->