The largest volleyball tournament in the world begins Thursday. Over the next 25 days, 5,865 female and male volleyball teams from the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands will take to the court in Orlando, Florida. Approximately 117,000 athletes and coaches will participate in the 51st edition of this event.
Island Mixx 14U Elite Team has its first of three scheduled matches today at 4:00 PM when it takes on BBVA 14U Elite, based in Florida. There is no time to rest, as they are back on the court against MVA Rise Academy 42 from Michigan at 5:00 PM. In their final match of the evening, they will be facing a team from Georgia, XP 14 Allegiance, at 7:00 PM. All games will be at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in the North Concourse on court 15.
This team is coached by Myriam Rodney, Carissa Braithwaite, who is an original Island Mixx player, and Mya Vigiliant. The team has been working hard since they first started training in December of 2023. Seven of the ten-person roster played in this tournament in 2023. Alexes Richardson and Taylor Spillane will be providing power from the outside and ball control in serve receive. Chelsea Leonce, Kinsley Taylor, and Rejanae Richardson will be called upon to secure the middle with solid blocking and timely hitting. Danielle Allen and Riley Moskowitz are the anchors of the defense as they serve as the team liberos. Lindsey Allen, Leah Vigilant, and Arielle Shackell are the setters on the team. They will need to make wise choices, serve tough, and be the leaders on the floor.
Island Mixx 14U Elite had a tough training regimen in preparation for AAUs. They were the youngest team in the Advance Women’s Division of the 2024 Michael Richardson Winter Power Volleyball League in St Thomas. In March, they traveled to Puerto Rico to compete in the Caribbean Volleyball Championships. The team got one final training opportunity while in Orlando from Coach Isaac Raphael, head coach of the United States Virgin Islands National Program. Raphael is an experienced coach whose teams have won the championship at this event in the past.
Island Mixx 14U Elite is the first of five teams from In the Zone Athletic Club, Inc., to participate in this year’s AAU National Championships. The club is also sending 18U and 16U girls’ teams. The Island Mixx boys’ program will compete in the 18U and 15U club divisions. St. Croix also has multiple teams competing in the tournament.
Island Mixx 14U Roster
Alexes Richardson 1 Calvary Christian Academy
Taylor Spillane 3 Antilles School
Chelsea Leonce 4 All Saints School
Danielle Allen 5 Home School
Leah Vigilant 6 Antilles School
Kinsley Taylor 8 Home School
Arielle Shackell 10 VI Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy
Lindsey Allen 11 Home School
Rejanae Richardson 12 Seventh Day Adventist School
Riley Moskowitz 42 Antilles School
Myriam Rodney Head Coach
Carissa Braithwaite Assistant Coach
Mya Vigilant Assistant Coach
