MLK Fiesta Recap

The first big 3 day tournament is in the book with MLK finishing up and man did we see some exciting volleyball throughout the weekend!    There was no shortage of amazing talent on display and some amazing game play throughout all the divisions! We got to see some amazing talent and some amazing teams show out in these competitive divisions.    Let's recap some of the age groups and some talent we saw this weekend!    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">17/18 open</h2>   How did it finish:   Our prediction came to fruition as 18 Thunder ended up playing 17 Rev Premier in the finals of this division. Both these teams are chalked full of talent and 17 Premier really showed how good they are going to be by winning the finals 2-0. Both these teams are open level qualifier teams, and should both earn bids at a NQ later in the season. I will say after watching 17 Premier in person that they are the real deal and have a legit chance at the national championship this year. At MLK [player_tooltip player_id='781999' first='Kristen' last='Sheehy'] and [player_tooltip player_id='806274' first='Lauren' last='Forelli'] really led the way for them throughout the weekend with multiple kill shots and high kill games. On the other side of the court 18 Thunder has their own top end talent and it was on display throughout the weekend. 18 Thunder did their best to slow down these hitters with [player_tooltip player_id='534541' first='Mattea' last='Saunders'] being all over the place for them. Getting touches, digs, and keeping plays alive. She was on fire throughout the finals.    Non-finals team(s)  that stood out:   Aspire 17 Alpha was a team that stood out as they started outside the top 10 to begin the tournament and finished tied for 7th by the time it finished. They were led by multiple players but most notably we love [player_tooltip player_id='931868' first='Aubrey' last='Butterfield'] running a high efficiency offense for them. She had some great sets and was really smooth throughout the tournament with her game play. Other standouts were [player_tooltip player_id='778035' first='Kalista' last='Fuller'] and Lucille Solorzano both are 6 rotational pins that can pass, hit, and defend at a very high level. This team is fun to watch and has a lot of depth to it. No one girl is relied upon and almost anyone can step up at any moment. We look forward to seeing this team more for sure!   Players who stood out (that were not mentioned above):   [player_tooltip player_id='808362' first='Annabelle' last='Cummings']- Revolution 17 Premier   [player_tooltip player_id='881806' first='Hailey' last='Johnston'] -AZ Sky 17 Gold   [player_tooltip player_id='881804' first='Addison' last='Bartnik'] - AZ Sky 17 Gold   [player_tooltip player_id='881989' first='Imogen' last='Berus']- AZ Outlaws 17 Elite   Kam Moyer- Omni 17N1   [player_tooltip player_id='878908' first='Emma' last='Caldwell'] - Aspire 17 Alpha   [player_tooltip player_id='520375' first='Fara' last='Bronson'] - AZ Storm 17 Thunder   [player_tooltip player_id='889615' first='Riley' last='Adams'] - AZ Storm 17 Lightning     Lyra Moralez- Club One 17 Platinum   [player_tooltip player_id='816637' first='Makenna' last='Murphy'] -Ascent 17 Black   [player_tooltip player_id='913216' first='Sophia' last='Christiano'] - AZ Sky 17 Blue   [player_tooltip player_id='754538' first='Avalon' last='Legg'] - EVJ 18 Elite     <h2 class="wp-block-heading">15/16 open</h2>   How did it finish:   Another prediction we nailed as we had a club battle in the finals of this tournament with both AZ Storm 15 Thunder and AZ Storm 16 Thunder matching up in the finals of this bracket. Both these teams have multiple top 10 prospects in their respective classes and really demonstrated why they are the top of their age groups. 16 Thunder really is going to be tough to stop with their dominant middles they have in [player_tooltip player_id='888469' first='Amari' last='Frazier'] and [player_tooltip player_id='593870' first='Annabelle' last='Ross']. All weekend these two were lighting up the courts with their phenomenal swings and hitting all the open spots. I didn't see many times when even a double block would slow them down. In line with that, [player_tooltip player_id='883366' first='Addison' last='Martin'] running that offense for that 16's team as a freshman was also fun to watch. She shows maturity beyond her age and has the talent to keep playing up. On the 15's side they also have their own setter who is a standout in [player_tooltip player_id='885089' first='Sophia' last='Gregg']; who is not only a great setter who runs a smooth and crisp offense but she is a WEAPON on the offensive side as well. She can turn on a ball with some force and really is a weapon with her game as well. Both these teams should qualify for Open at nationals and both should make a deep run once they are there.    Non-finals team(s)  that stood out:   AZ Sky 16 Blue was a team that shocked big time on day 1 and played solid throughout the tournament. On day 1 they took down a top 4 seed in Omni 15N1 in a fantastic 3 set match, and finished the pool 3-0. On day 2 they were 1 set away from making it to the gold division losing in 3 in the last match of the day to finish second in their pool. You wouldn't know this was a 2's team from the way they play and how much talent is coming from this team. Leading the way for them is 6 rotational outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='913242' first='Colleen' last='Brousseau'] who is a very talented pin with a great arm swing and aggressive serve, she is going to be on some college radars this season. On the defense end you have [player_tooltip player_id='830635' first='Brylee' last='Reidhead'] who is a stellar libero and covers a lot of ground with her ability to read hitters early and passes with ease to keep her team in system.    Aspire 15 Alpha was another team seeded in the 20s to start the tournament but went on a run to the gold bracket in this tournament. This team might need its own article to write about as they really had so many players that played exceptionally well during the tournament. Gloria Bankston is a middle who gets up exceptionally well and really holds down the middle against some top level players, she is someone who might make a jump when the rankings get updated. [player_tooltip player_id='892002' first='Kendall' last='Butters'] is the starting libero but was a setter prior so essentially they are never out of system which is a big plus as she can use her hands to set good tempo balls and play great defense. Lastly, do it all [player_tooltip player_id='885187' first='Rylee' last='Asanovich'] is really THAT girl and can play elite level volleyball. We could talk about this team all day but just know the talent is oozing from this team.    Players who stood out (that were not mentioned above):   [player_tooltip player_id='891737' first='Lilly' last='Lach'] -Revolution 15 Premier   [player_tooltip player_id='888726' first='Carsen' last='Steinkamp'] -Livewire 16 Prime   [player_tooltip player_id='891296' first='Olivia' last='Shwer'] -Revolution 15 Premier   [player_tooltip player_id='807588' first='Zoey' last='Beamis'] - Atomic 16 Smack Premier    [player_tooltip player_id='891980' first='Bela' last='Salazar'] -Club One 15 Platinum    [player_tooltip player_id='888748' first='Nellie' last='Coover']- Valley Heat 16 Black   [player_tooltip player_id='888556' first='Alayah' last='Krein'] -Boltz 16U   [player_tooltip player_id='778155' first='Ava' last='Martinez']- AZ Sky 16 Gold   [player_tooltip player_id='826238' first='Gabriella' last='Nucci']-AZ Sky 16 Gold   [player_tooltip player_id='891132' first='Tiana' last='Hester'] -Aspire 16 Alpha   [player_tooltip player_id='916661' first='Kamerynn' last='Medlicott'] -EVJ 16 Elite   Abigail Lara-EVJ 16 Elite   [player_tooltip player_id='883019' first='Izabella' last='Bombiski'] -AZ Sky 15 Gold   [player_tooltip player_id='769265' first='Faith' last='Bahun'] - AZ Storm 16 Lightning      <h2 class="wp-block-heading">14 open</h2>   How did it finish:   The finals finished with AZ Sky 14 Gold vs AZ Storm 14 Thunder in a great 3 set match that showcased some of the best 2030's AZ has out there. Both these teams went undefeated heading into this match and did not disappoint with a 3 set finals match. <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/harlow-dzurick/">Harlow Dzurick</a>, [player_tooltip player_id='937334' first='Cameron' last='Sutton'], and [player_tooltip player_id='891496' first='Brianna' last='Murray'] stood out for Storm in the finals! The 3 of them are exceptional players who really set the tone in the match against Sky. All 3 are top level 2030's to be on the lookout for, and really play the game at an advanced technical level for athletes so young. For AZ Sky this was [player_tooltip player_id='920110' first='Sierra' last='Johnson'] first weekend back and she did a great job running the offense for Sky, consistently putting the ball where it needed to be and running a high level offense. [player_tooltip player_id='919648' first='Charlotte' last='Lilley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='920105' first='Elliot' last='Millhiser'] were also key contributors for Sky in this match with their offense and defensive game respectively.   Non-finals team(s)  that stood out:   AZ Storm 13 Thunder was really fun to watch! One because they played up in the 14 open division when they could have just stayed down in club like almost all the 13 year olds did. Shoutout to this team for going against girls that are never in their division for the region, or age group and they competed. They were one of only 3 13 year old teams in this division and finished in the top half with a respectable 11th place finish. As someone who has and is coaching 13 year olds, to see what these kids were doing at their level is really astonishing. Big congrats for that whole team and coaching staff on their weekend!    Atomic 14 Smack Premier is one team we were sad to see lose out on a three way tie breaker. This team finished the tournament 7-1 but because of a tie breaker situation never got a chance to play in the top half. We know they were mad about it because they proceeded to win their next 5 matches and only dropped one set. This will be a fun team to watch as well as the season progresses and can't wait to see them get to play the best throughout the season. A 14's team to watch for sure!    Players who stood out (that were not mentioned above):   [player_tooltip player_id='920112' first='Leah' last='Miles']-Omni 14N1   [player_tooltip player_id='789370' first='Layla' last='Duncan']- Omni 14N1   [player_tooltip player_id='735418' first='Whitney' last='Wollheim']- Victorium 14UA   Hattie Polk- Victorium 14UA   [player_tooltip player_id='935378' first='Maree' last='Poortinga']- AZ Sky 14 Gold   [player_tooltip player_id='915628' first='Charlize' last='Braddock'] - AZ Revolution 14 Premier    [player_tooltip player_id='936795' first='Brooke' last='Holubar'] -AZ Revolution 14 Premier    [player_tooltip player_id='920224' first='Addy' last='Beck'] - AZ Armor 14 Elite    [player_tooltip player_id='920128' first='Ellie' last='Milton'] - AZ Storm 14 Thunder   Olivia Krumbach-Aspire 14 Alpha    Kathryn Broom- Aspire 14 Alpha    [player_tooltip player_id='935412' first='Emma' last='Cluff'] - EVJ 14 Elite     We can't wait to see what the rest of the 2026 club season will bring!   As always, make sure you are following us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigarizona/?hl=en">@PrepDigArizona </a>as well as our scouts<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdiganthony/"> @PrepDigAnthony</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/coachmarissamorah/">@CoachMarissaMorah</a>.   Want to get on our radar? Do the following:Follow us on Instagram, Nominate Through our <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeGWSR1w3a_ZgKVLmUouN7ymhvldIHGmG6f6zWs54-pGTM_-A/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=116487285663927782556">Form</a>, and Send us your Highlights!

The first big 3 day tournament is in the book with MLK finishing up and man did we see some exciting volleyball throughout the weekend!