I am so thrilled to be back in Chicago for the Asics Challenge Tournament at Mother McAuley. Last year’s tournament was an absolute blast, but now it’s time to dive into the action of Day 1. A side note, Friday evening’s matches featured pools of three teams, and while I couldn’t catch every game at both sites, I did my best to watch as many as I could. Let’s get started on this exciting opening day of the tournament!

Mother McAuley, the host team, is a powerhouse led by senior 4-star recruit and Michigan commit Ellie White, last year’s vballrecruiter.com Junior of the Year. White’s smooth and high-flying skills as an outside hitter are fun to watch. Her teammates, senior middle blocker Ellery Rees, who is a 3-star recruit committed to Alabama, and senior libero Samantha Falk, who is a 3-star recruit committed to Loyola-Chicago, along with junior Sydney Buchanan‘s explosive swings, have a squad that is a force to be reckoned with. Freshman Peyton Heatherly takes charge as the team’s quarterback in the 5-1 setting position, showcasing remarkable leadership.

Watch out because Divine Savior is another team which is a ton of fun to watch ball out together. With powerhouses like Wisconsin commit and 5-star recruit junior Madison Quest and Creighton commit senior Sophia Wendlick on the outside, expect nothing less than an explosive display of talent. Michigan State commit and 4-star recruit junior Olivia Durst is a dynamic libero who fearlessly scoops up everything thrown her way. Belmont commit senior setter Jordan Czajkowski runs a 5-1 offense with an aggressive edge, And let’s not forget about the sophomore middle blocker, Maddie Brown, who may be technically undersized but boasts a lightning-fast arm where she swings around the block with ease. Divine Savior is a team which guarantees an exhilarating and entertaining performance on the court.

And then there is the Assumption squad. This historically strong squad never fails to captivate with their exceptional talent. Senior outside hitters Charlotte Moriarty, a 4-star recruit committed to Xavier and Chloe Smith, a 3-star recruit committed to Wofford, dominate. But the action doesn’t stop there because junior 3-star recruit Bailey Blair in the middle is a force to be reckoned with. And then there is 5-star recruit and Wisconsin commit libero Kristen Simon who owns the backcourt for her team.

Day 2 starts bright and early! So let’s get to who I thought shined in pool play on Day 1. PS, who’s ready for Bracket action on Saturday?

DAY 1 SHOW STOPPERS

Brooke Baldwin SO S/RS Hamilton WI: Baldwin, a 3-star recruit, was doing double duty of dishing her hitters and powering through blocks on the reg.

Emily Zgonc SO L Hamilton WI: Zgonc held her own in the back row as she passed well out of serve receive and made hustle plays to keep her team in the rally.

Francesca Lorenzo SO OH Montini IL: Lorenzo, a 3-star recruit, was shutting down outsides with ease. And she brings a wallop on the right side attacking wise.

Addison West SO OH Skutt Catholic NE: West, a 3-star recruit, easily goes over blocks and finds open spots on the floor to exploit. She also packs a punch when she swings.

Sarah Musial S St. Charles East IL: Musial, a Wichita State commit, dished the ball effectively. She has a great touch on the ball.

Reilly Chausse L Sandburg IL: Chausse, an Akron commit, was incredibly scrappy and fast in the backcourt. She read the ball really well and consistently got touches.

Jessica Horn SR S Joliet Catholic IL: Horn was very quick on her feet and had no problems getting her feet to the ball and her hands on impossible balls. She made setting from her knees look easy.

Ellie White SR OH Mother McAuley IL: White. a 4-star Michigan commit, is just so smooth on the court. She can swing anywhere, plays scrappy defense, passes dimes, and bring energy to her squad.

Peyton Heatherly FR S Mother McAuley IL: Heatherly, a 3-star commit, might be a freshman, but she is playing like an upperclassman. She has a really nice touch and spreads the ball around to her hitters well.

Sydney Buchanan JR OH Mother McAuley IL: Buchanan, a 3-star recruit, explodes off the ground and gets in the air quickly. She has a fluid swing and can rip the ball.

Lauren Salata SR OH Nazareth Academy IL: Salata, a 3-star Illinois State commit, is springy with a whip of an arm. She can tool with ease to boot.

Madison Quest JR OH DSHA WI: Quest, a 5-star Wisconsin commit, is a hard-working outside who plays with lots of energy. She carries a powerful arm and can crack on the ball when the opportunity presents itself.

Olivia Durst JR L DSHA WI: Durst, a 4-star Michigan State commit, racks balls down with ease along with bringing great energy to the court.

Sophia Wendlick SR OH DSHA WI: Wendlick, a Creighton commit, has a whip of an arm that I was seriously impressed to watch. She has a knack for not only swinging fast but swinging around blocks with ease.

Kristen SimonJR L Assumption KY: Simon, a 5-star Wisconsin commit, is a fireball in the back court. She is nails in the back row and makes wow saves regularly.

Charlotte Moriarty SR OH Assumption KY: Moriarty, a 3-star Xavier commit, can literally bounce balls when needed. She hits with a heavy hand consistently.

Bailey Blair JR MB Assumption KY: Blair, a 3-star recruit, is a firecracker in the middle. And when you give her an open net in the middle, watch out. She can hammer it.

Brooklynne Brass SO OH Minooka IL: Brass, a 3-star recruit, was swinging well on the court today. When she connected SHE CONNECTED.

Eleanor Dorritie SR RS Penfield NY: Dorritie, a Binghamton commit, was a force to be reckoned with on the right side. She was swinging with fury everywhere on the court.

Addy Horner JR S/RS St. Francis/Wheaton IL: Horner, a 5-star Wisconsin commit, does well dishing to her targets. She’s also an impact scorer as she’s capable of delivering some big kills.

Anna Paquette SR OH St. Francis/Wheaton IL: Paquette can fly on the outside. She is undersized to say the least but don’t let that fool you, she can crank the line with ease if given the opportunity.

Ava Vetter SR OH New Trier IL: Vetter, a 3-star Wake Forest commit, is a lefty playing on the outside with no fear and a very lively arm.