Familiar Faces, New Places: Part 1

[player_tooltip player_id='734999' first='Makenna' last='Layton']   Makenna will be taking her talents to Ultimate VBC's 17 Elite team this club season, after spending the last two seasons at [program_tooltip program_id='750137' first='Virago' last='Volleyball Club'] where she made the trip to USAV Nationals her 15's season.  Although primarily a setter, she is a very versatile player, having also spent time contributing as a defensive specialist and outside hitter.  This versatility should help her find a spot in the rotation for this very competitive group at Ultimate.  Her team will surely play a tough tournament schedule, which should help Makenna prepare for her senior season at Broken Arrow.  With [player_tooltip player_id='284930' first='Lilly' last='Boswell'] and Bella Shondelmyer both graduating this past season- Makenna will be in competition to take over the Tigers offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='394610' first='Emmerson' last='Meador']    Another Broken Arrow Tiger making a big move this season is [player_tooltip player_id='394610' first='Emmerson' last='Meador'].  She will be joining the aforementioned Layton and another Tiger teammate, [player_tooltip player_id='610402' first='Aliyah' last='Owens'], on Ultimate's 17 Elite.  As 16's last year, this team was extremely successful, finishing 3rd at OKRVA Regionals, and pushing the eventual winner, OP2 16-1 Elite to 3 sets in the semi finals.  Emmerson is no stranger to elite teammates- having played on Charge 16 UA Tulsa last season- arguably the best team in the state.  Emmerson is what you might call a technician at playing the middle blocker position.  She is excellent at reading the other teams offense, anticipating where the ball is going to be set, then using perfect footwork to close the block.  Teammates and coaches rave about her positive demeanor on the court and coachability.  Ultimate got a good one in Meador.   [player_tooltip player_id='752767' first='Tessa' last='Bond']   There tends to be a bit of a carousel effect with the exchange of players from team to team each club season- every new addition to one team creates an opportunity on another. Tessa will be taking advantage of that opportunity this year as she leaves Layton and Meador's Ultimate team to join Charge 16 UA Tulsa. Coming off a great season for the Cascia Hall Commandos, who advanced to the semi finals of the 4A State Championships- Tessa will be ready to join this elite team. She will bring some additional size and power to the pin hitter position for this team- which you can never have enough of either, especially when playing in the open division nationally.   [player_tooltip player_id='750703' first='Gwen' last='Gilbert']   Another Cascia Commando making a move this season is sophomore outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='750703' first='Gwen' last='Gilbert'].  After spending last year with [program_tooltip program_id='776295' first='Tulsa' last='Power'], Gwen joins several of her Cascia teammates on [program_tooltip program_id='750137' first='Virago' last='Volleyball Club']'s 16 Elite this season.  This underrated team brings back several starters from their 15s season, which peaked at the right time, going 11-2 and finishing 17th (out of 163 teams) at the AAU National Championships in Orlando.  Gwen is a well rounded pin hitter, with the passing ability to be featured in 6 rotations, and she hits just as well from the right side as she does on the outside.  She will look to elevate the offense for this team on the pins, particularly out of system.  Her 16s year will be critical for her development, going into her junior season as she competes for a position in the starting lineup at the perennially talented Commandos.   [player_tooltip player_id='734744' first='Sophia' last='Carollo']   The carousel continues revolving as Sophia and Gwen essentially trade places, as Sophia goes from [program_tooltip program_id='750137' first='Virago' last='Volleyball Club'] to [program_tooltip program_id='776295' first='Tulsa' last='Power'].  The similarities don't end there- both are dynamic pin hitters, both play for Class 4A powerhouses (Victory Christian for Carollo), and both will be using this club season as a springboard to join the varsity lineup at their respective high schools.  Sophia made huge strides last year- becoming a far more consistent hitting option on the outside as the season went on.  She is a workout warrior, spending countless hours in the gym building her strength and explosiveness.  The athleticism has always been there for her- but it's the consistent execution that really started to click for her last season, and she hopes to continue that development this season.  In order to have a chance at Victory she will have to develop her serve receive game, a key component of that position.  The potential is there, as she excelled at times passing the ball last season- but there are still opportunities for her to become a complete player.

Makenna Layton Makenna Layton 5'8" | S/DS/L Broken Arrow High School, Vanguard Academy | 2027 State OK