A Few Californians Making Noise at Nationals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are standout athletes playing in the 16s age group at the National Championships in Chicago:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alyssa Hodges</strong> | 2025 | S | Ignite<br>Starting off a rally can set the tone and Alyssa Hodges really makes everyone involved with her long, cross court right-side to right-side serve. When the rally continues, she makes intentional effort to dig the ball high. Specifically with her setting, Hodge sets at a low contact point and maintains a consistent follow through. Therefore, this makes for a nice set to an outside and a challenge for any blocker to read where she is setting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='348438' first='Kylie' last='Leopard'] </strong>| 2025 | MB | Seal Beach <br>[player_tooltip player_id='348438' first='Kylie' last='Leopard'] is a middle blocker that just does not stop. This is a trait that any teammate or even coach would likely want in an athlete playing the middle blocker position. With a strategy in mind, she is talking and thinking during and after a play. Consequently, she has developed an awareness the makes her increasingly efficient. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='160971' first='Kennedy' last='Osunsanmi']</strong> | 2025 | RS | CITY<br>To describe the varying attacking styles of [player_tooltip player_id='160971' first='Kennedy' last='Osunsanmi'] will take a few sentences, so here goes. Reaching high, dropping a hammer. Elbow drop to go around the block. Facing straight up and hitting high hands. Clearly, it is obvious Osunsanmi is an effective attacker that can be relied on to adjust regardless of any set to her. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isabel Adam</strong> | 2025 | L | Absolute<br>The deliberate and competitive play of Isabel Adam is fun to watch. Specifically, she calls for a set with intent at various parts of the game to put herself in a position to score. When the ball is delivered, she intentionally uses the block as an advantage to score that point. As a blocker, she conversely is likely aware of that mentality and keeps her hands low across the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='312019' first='Isabella' last='Jones'] </strong>| 2025 | S | Surfside <br>Setting in a 6-2 offense, [player_tooltip player_id='312019' first='Isabella' last='Jones'] might be overlooked if not watching at the right time. Not only because of the rotations, but also because she plays very quiet. All of her contact is smooth and soft leaving a fan watching to wonder how that ball got to wherever she delivered it. Additionally, she finds strength with her soft hands to set a middle high enough for comfort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meghan Williams </strong>| 2025 | MB | SF Elite<strong><br></strong>A leaper, like Meghan Williams, creates interesting timing with the net play in the middle of the court. When a player thinks there is an open net, Williams is ready to close the gap and return the ball to sender. This ultimately reaches a height of the second white on the antenna. It is exciting to watch as well because she will jump in to play any ball too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->