Nike Tournament of ChampionsSep 26, 2016 by Megan Kaplon
Top 7 Players to Watch at the Nike Tournament of Champions
Top 7 Players to Watch at the Nike Tournament of Champions
The Nike Tournament of Champions will feature the best-of-the-best high school volleyball programs in the nation. Future stars of top NCAA programs abound o
The Nike Tournament of Champions will feature the best-of-the-best high school volleyball programs in the nation. Future stars of top NCAA programs abound on these elite high school rosters. These seven athletes fill essential roles for their teams, and you won't want to miss them in action during the 2016 Nike Tournament of Champions from September 30 to October 1.
After winning the AAU National Championship title with her Top Select 17s team and starting the 2016 high school season on a nine-match win streak, Shannon Crenshaw is getting used to victories. The 6-foot-3 outside hitter and Washington commitment contributes significant stats from the front and the back row and will be sure to make a splash at the Nike Tournament of Champions.
Mater Dei libero Kelsey Campeau leads her No. 1-ranked Mater Dei team with 228 digs so far this season, and she'll soon be taking her defensive skills to powerhouse Pac-12 program UCLA.
Gabby Gonzales is only a sophomore, but she's a big part of No. 18-ranked Walton's success. The 6-3 outside hitter and Ohio State commit leads her high school team with 272 kills and has taken 618 swings so far this year. She's only going to get more dominant in the next two and a half years of high school and club ball before heading off to Columbus.
Preslie Anderson is the rare middle blocker who plays all the way around for her Hamilton High School team. The 6-3 senior is a two-time All-Arizona player and will continue her volleyball career at Cal.
3. Hailey Dirrigl | Sr. | OH | Desert Vista | Arkansas
Desert Vista High School coach Molly West says Hailey Dirrigl is the most focused player on her team, and her coachability makes her a delight to have on the squad. The 6-2 Arkansas recruit is an excellent server and passer, which adding to her ability to terminate with the best of them, makes her someone you won't want to miss a chance to see in action.
Dynamic outside hitter Taylen Ballard committed to BYU as a sophomore. Last fall, she had to sit out a number of matches with an ankle injury. Now a senior, the 6-3 all-around player touches 10-5 and can terminate from anywhere on the court.
1. Lexi Sun | Sr. | OH | Santa Fe Christian | Texas
Many have compared this Texas commit to Logan Tom. As an eighth grader, Lexi Sun was competing on a U16 team, and she hasn't slowed down since. A member of the USAV Girls' Youth and Junior National Teams, Sun chose not to play high school volleyball in her junior year. But now she's back on the Santa Fe Christian squad and looking to finish her high school career strong before heading to Austin for the next four years.
7. Shannon Crenshaw | Jr. | OH | Bishop Moore (FL) | Washington
After winning the AAU National Championship title with her Top Select 17s team and starting the 2016 high school season on a nine-match win streak, Shannon Crenshaw is getting used to victories. The 6-foot-3 outside hitter and Washington commitment contributes significant stats from the front and the back row and will be sure to make a splash at the Nike Tournament of Champions.
6. Kelsey Campeau | Jr. | L | Mater Dei (CA) | UCLA
Mater Dei libero Kelsey Campeau leads her No. 1-ranked Mater Dei team with 228 digs so far this season, and she'll soon be taking her defensive skills to powerhouse Pac-12 program UCLA.
5. Gabby Gonzales | Soph. | OH | Walton | Ohio State
Gabby Gonzales is only a sophomore, but she's a big part of No. 18-ranked Walton's success. The 6-3 outside hitter and Ohio State commit leads her high school team with 272 kills and has taken 618 swings so far this year. She's only going to get more dominant in the next two and a half years of high school and club ball before heading off to Columbus.
4. Preslie Anderson | Sr. | MB/OH | Hamilton | Cal
Preslie Anderson is the rare middle blocker who plays all the way around for her Hamilton High School team. The 6-3 senior is a two-time All-Arizona player and will continue her volleyball career at Cal.
3. Hailey Dirrigl | Sr. | OH | Desert Vista | Arkansas
Desert Vista High School coach Molly West says Hailey Dirrigl is the most focused player on her team, and her coachability makes her a delight to have on the squad. The 6-2 Arkansas recruit is an excellent server and passer, which adding to her ability to terminate with the best of them, makes her someone you won't want to miss a chance to see in action.
2. Taylen Ballard | Sr. | OH | Clovis | BYU
Dynamic outside hitter Taylen Ballard committed to BYU as a sophomore. Last fall, she had to sit out a number of matches with an ankle injury. Now a senior, the 6-3 all-around player touches 10-5 and can terminate from anywhere on the court.
1. Lexi Sun | Sr. | OH | Santa Fe Christian | Texas
Many have compared this Texas commit to Logan Tom. As an eighth grader, Lexi Sun was competing on a U16 team, and she hasn't slowed down since. A member of the USAV Girls' Youth and Junior National Teams, Sun chose not to play high school volleyball in her junior year. But now she's back on the Santa Fe Christian squad and looking to finish her high school career strong before heading to Austin for the next four years.