Day 1 at Sunshine Classic: 15's Standout's

Sunshine Classic — Luciana “Luci” Montes (2029, Libero, Tribe 15 Vktry Cardinal)

In Tribe’s morning match against AVC CLE 15 Red, Luci Montes was steady from start to finish. She consistently put quality passes on target, getting the ball right to the setter and keeping her team in system. Even when AVC applied pressure from the service line, she stayed composed and didn’t rush her platform. The ball came off clean, and Tribe was able to run its offense because of it. She was also one of the more scrappy players on the court. Montes covered ground well, chased down balls that drifted out of system, and recovered quickly to stay in rallies. When plays broke down, she didn’t hesitate, she just worked to keep the ball alive. For a 2029 libero, the consistency and effort level stood out. She handled her job, didn’t try to do too much, and gave her team a reliable presence in the backcourt against a strong AVC CLE squad.

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Sunshine Classic — Dani Solomon (2029, OH, NC Academy 15 Diamond)

Dani Solomon, a 6'1” outside for NC Academy 15 Diamond, immediately stands out physically at this age level. That size on the pin is hard to ignore, and she knows how to use it. When she’s given a clean set, she’s quick to attack and can put the ball down with authority. The arm speed is there, and she doesn’t hesitate when the opportunity is in front of her. What’s encouraging is that she doesn’t force swings when the set drifts. If the ball isn’t perfect, she adjusts and keeps it in play rather than giving away easy points. That kind of decision-making matters. She’s also active at the net, getting her hands up on the block and showing flashes of what she could become there. With continued training and physical development, Solomon has the tools to grow into a real presence on both sides of the ball.

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Sunshine Classic — Kendall Klingenberg (2029, Setter, Omni Volleyball 15N1)

In Omni’s match against ECJVC, Kendall Klingenberg showed why she’s the one running the show. She was quick on her feet from the first whistle, always ready to move and track down the second contact. Whether the pass was tight, off the net, or drifting, she worked to square up and give her hitters a chance. She did a great job covering the block, including an impressive hard-driven cover that kept a rally alive and shifted momentum. That kind of effort play stands out. She prefers to run a quicker tempo, but it’s controlled and intentional, not rushed. She makes smart decisions with the ball and understands how to distribute based on what the defense is giving her. Just as noticeable was her energy. She’s an encourager, and it showed up throughout the match. After big swings, long rallies, or even tough points, she was the one bringing teammates in and keeping communication steady. That leadership piece, combined with her ability to control pace and make good choices, makes her a steady presence on the court.

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Sunshine Classic — Presley Johnson (2029, Libero, OT 15 T Randy)

In OT’s match against Triangle 15 Black, Presley Johnson was one of those players you just keep finding yourself watching. She stood out right away because she was involved in so many plays. It felt like every rally ran through her at some point. Defensively, she’s a huge contributor. She’s constantly moving, adjusting, and working to put herself in the best position possible before the ball even crosses the net.What really separates her is how well she reads the game. You can see that she’s tracking hitters, recognizing angles, and anticipating tips versus hard swings. She doesn’t look surprised by much. Instead of reacting late, she’s already on the move, which allows her to stay balanced and controlled when she makes contact. That kind of defensive awareness at this age is impressive.She’s light on her feet and plays with steady energy from start to finish. In serve receive, she looked confident and composed, taking quality angles to the ball and delivering consistent passes. In transition defense, she fought for every dig and kept rallies alive that could have easily ended. There’s no coasting in her game, she stays engaged every single point. Overall, her consistency, activity level, and ability to read the ball made a real impact in this match. She doesn’t just play defense, she anchors it. It was a strong performance and one that was hard not to be impressed by.

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Sunshine Classic — Lucie Amonett (2029, Middle Blocker, OT 15 Randy)

In the same match against Triangle 15 Black, Lucie Amonett made a strong impact in the middle. At 6'1", she has a natural physical advantage at the net, and she uses it well. When she gets the set she’s looking for, she doesn’t hesitate, she drills the ball straight down with confidence. Her contact is decisive, and she finishes plays when given the opportunity.She also showed the ability to hit sharp, hard-driven shots to the corners, which makes her more than just a typical quick middle option. That range keeps blockers honest and opens up the offense. For a middle, she finds a lot of ways to stay involved. She transitions well, works to get available, and earns opportunities from her setter because she’s reliable and consistent. Her quickness stands out, especially paired with her reach over the net. She gets up fast and plays high, which gives her an edge both attacking and at the block. Overall, her consistency, size, and ability to score in different ways made her a key part of the offense in this match.

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