Michigan Teams Dominate Wave 4 at AAU Nationals: Dead Frog

<h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow <strong>@lshotvb </strong>on Instagram and Twitter for all things volleyball!</em></h6>   <h6 class="wp-block-heading">Use code <strong>LSHOTVBUSAV </strong>and get $10 off your registration for Prep Dig's USAV Showcases, <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/info?website_id=3&event_id=765">Session 1</a> & <a href="https://events.prepdig.com/info?website_id=3&event_id=766">Session 2</a>!</h6>   <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6>   <p>The 50th AAU Girls National Volleyball Championships have finally come to an end. After a long two weeks of non-stop action, kicking off with the 14 and 18s age group. It was wave 4, that featured the 16s age group, that really ended the hotly anticipated tournament with a bang.</p>   <p>Teams from across the country send the best of the best of what got to AAUs. But if we were to point out a standout state state, it was the Mitten state directly 956 miles north that had an explosive showing in Wave 4.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/DSC09992-crop-4800x3152-1688238069.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-411599" width="236" height="155" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='443896' first='Sydney' last='Bates'], [player_tooltip player_id='446691' first='Taliyah' last='Hanks']</figcaption></figure>   <p>From the top two divisions at the championships, Open and Premier, Michigan showcased five teams that placed within the upper echelon of the field. Here's the break down of how they did. Let's move over to the 16 Premier division and see how Dead Frog faired. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dead Frog 16 Black goes Top 5 in 16 Premier</h2>   <p>This team really caught my eye early in the 2023 season. A group of really athletic and passionate players, 16 Black knows how to put on a show. They did just that in Orlando.</p>   <p>Day 1 saw Dead Frog go 2-1 to open up the tournament. In a pretty tough pool with the likes of ClevPrime's top team and KIVA, they managed to escape Prime and drop a tight third setter to KIVA in overtime, 14-16.</p>   <p>Moving onto Day 2. A nice three set thriller to start the day would only propel Dead Frog to cruise through the remainder of the day. After taking down Triangle in three, Frog cruised past both Arizona EZJ and LVA by an average 9 point set margins in the sweeps. </p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/DSC09975.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-411600" width="231" height="154" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='156291' first='Taygan' last='Corstange']</figcaption></figure>   <p>The domination would only continue on day 3! Country Fire, FaR Out, and Tampa United were no match for the wave of momentum Frog were riding at this point. The FaR Out match was a fun one given the history of the two programs. 16 Black would be placed perfectly for a challenge match later that day versus Academy. With the eyes on the prize. This one went the way of another sweep to secure their spot in the gold medal bracket.</p>   <p>Making it to the sweet 16 of the 16 Premier tournament, Dead Frog would once again continue to dominate, cruising right past Elevation in two. It would be in the Elite 8 of the gold bracket that Frog would see their first serious challenge. They would drop the match in two to Coast, finishing fifth!</p>   <h5 class="wp-block-heading">Player Highlights</h5>   <p>S <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443896' first='Sydney' last='Bates']</strong> would be named to the AAU All-American list for the 16 Premier division. Bates had a spectacular outing in Orlando. While I had always been intrigued by this group, Bates really fell under my radar. She was more than on my radar in Orlando. Bates' play was full of energy and she was totally crushing it at the net too.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/DSC09968.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-411604" width="227" height="151" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='443826' first='Jordyn' last='Hughes'], Annelise de Jong</figcaption></figure>   <p>Other standouts include the plays from middle, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='443826' first='Jordyn' last='Hughes']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='446691' first='Taliyah' last='Hanks']</strong>. Hughes is a favorite of mine from early in the season. She was at full apex here and was virtually unstoppable at times. Her leaping ability and speed of her arm swing were no match for opponents. Hanks, a young pup for this squad, is really looking like she's coming into her own. A steady blocker, I saw some really nice things out of her offense this week as well.</p>   <p>Other standouts include L [player_tooltip player_id='156291' first='Taygan' last='Corstange'] and OPP <strong>Annelise de Jong</strong>. Corstange has a lot of pop to her in the back court and really commands the game. She's quick and relentless on every play. De Jong was doing a really solid job putting balls away when the team were in tight situations. </p>   <p>–</p>   <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. </em><a href="https://prepdig.com/stock-up-showcases/?type=Showcase&state=&start_date="><strong><em>Click here</em></strong></a><em> to sign up for YOUR event. You can use promo code “LshotDig2023” for $10 off your registration.</em></p>