Journey to Salt Lake: Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 Salt Lake City Showdown Girls National Qualifier is this weekend for ages 11s-12s and 16s-17s and we invited some of the top prospects to share their journey with us.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["412848"],"_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":"u003cp data-pm-slice=u00221 1 []u0022u003eAfter finishing our 2023 season as a top 3 team in the nation, we knew we had unfinished business. We added new and talented players that brought our game to a new level with an electric potential on the court. This season our goals are to earn an open division gold medal and take 1st at Nationals.  It won't be easy, but we are willing to put in the work and support each other to get there.u003c/pu003ernAlthough my slide attack has become one of my most dominant plays, my goal this season is to take my offense to an even higher level as well as continuing to elevate my blocking game.  I have really focused on owning the net on both offense and defense this year by staying locked in on reading the offense across the net and staying aggressive. By putting in extra work on the court and in the gym I've maintained improvements in my power, agility and vertical. I have focused on consistency this year and I will continue to challenge every opposing middle I go up against.rnrnMy team and I are excited to show what we can do at the Salt Lake City Showdown. I am pumped for the competition we will face in Utah and the chance to go up against teams that we have not played before. We are all in to stand out from the other top 16 Open teams. Provided to Michelle Bamford @ PrepDigrnrnBrooke's first match is scheduled for Friday, April 12 at 8:00 AM. Salt Palace Convention Center, Court 43, against CPA 16 Benson.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://results.advancedeventsystems.com/event/PTAwMDAwMzM4MzI90/divisions/157129/teams/29943u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopeneru0022u003eARIZONA STORM 16 THUNDER Saturday Scheduleu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-661624e4479cd"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/18127886/65f8bc42c11a3c0f2c84bf5e' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-661624e447a73"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["500894"],"_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":"u003cp data-pm-slice=u00221 1 []u0022u003eA fierce, versatile Middle Blocking powerhouse!!u003c/pu003ernIn preparation for the Salt Lake City Showdown, it's all about the mental game translating on to the court. Since the outset of my season, I've invested as much time on the court practicing drills and technique, as I have off the court, visualizing court IQ and mental sharpness.  Defeat first happens in the mind, so staying in the mindset of victory has elevated my performance even in moments of doubt and potential defeat. After all, at this level of play, energy on the court is as impactful on performance than anything else. And that's where I shine. I'm known as the lightbulb on my team and I take responsibility for keeping my equally inspiring teammates in the mental game. We've made comebacks from what would normally appear to be a total loss, simply by adjusting mindset, and that's a skill that requires vigor and practice.rnrnAs for my technical skills, my obsession with my middle blocking position keeps me hungry for kills and blocks. Off the court, I've incorporated three days of plyometric workouts combined with compound explosive moves and strength training to elevate my jump touch. But aside from the precision in my blocking technique, my versatility as a middle blocker allows me to thrive when a middle set comes my way. I dominate when the opportunity for a kill is set by our setters. Thus, my versatility in how I cover the court, in addition to guarding the front line with blocking, is where I thrive.rnrnMy A4 team is united to win and is aligned with a collective effort to maximize the skills and strengths of its players in their individual capacity. We will absolutely showcase our talent and our team effort at the Salt Lake City Showdown and I can't wait to dominate the court with my versatility and court IQ! Provided to Michelle Bamford @ PrepDigrnrnSasha's first match is scheduled for Friday, April 12 at 8:00 AM. Salt Palace Convention Center, Court 40, against Legacy 16-1 ADIDAS.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://results.advancedeventsystems.com/event/PTAwMDAwMzM4MzI90/divisions/157129/teams/168335u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noopeneru0022u003eA4 Volley 16-Cassie Saturday Scheduleu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-661624e447af8"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":530538,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/04/Digital-Download_16cassie-10.jpeg?w=732" alt="" class="wp-image-530538" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Player Permission</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->