LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 8, 2022) — The AVCA is proud to announce the 2022 Junior Beach All-Americans. This marks the ninth season of the awards, and there are 26 athletes recognized this year, eight on both the first and second teams, as well as 10 honorable mention selections.
The 2022 list includes players from eight states. California again leads the way with 10, followed by Texas with seven and three from Florida. Rounding out the list are two from Georgia and one All-American each from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington. USC leads the pack in commitments from the top 26 with six, while Florida State and UCLA have four apiece.
The Junior Beach All-America Committee, who selected the teams, included Jeff Smith (chairperson; 692 Beach – West Coast), Wayne Gant (Great American Volleyball – East Coast), Steve Bishop (USA Volleyball-Florida Region – East Coast), Andrew Bennett (Tamarack Beach Volleyball Club – West Coast), Ryan Mariano (RPM Sand – West Coast), Bryan Jones (Southern Sand Select – Southeast), Marlee Rice (AAU – West Coast), Jason Kaiser (210 Beach Volleyball – Central), and Ashley Ivy (Austin Juniors – Central).
FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICANS
ENSLEY ALDEN (SAN MARCOS HS / TAMARACK BVC)
Hometown: Vista, CA
College Commitment: UCLA
Notable Tournament Finishes: 2022 ISF World High School Championships (1st), 2022 AVP Nationals (5th), 2022 BVCA Junior Nationals (5th), 2022 AAU Junior Nationals (9th)
- Represented the U.S. in May at the ISF World High School Championships in France and took first place.
- Captain of the Tamarack Beach Volleyball Club
Andrew Bennett, Tamarack Volleyball Director
“Ensley is truly an amazing young lady. She epitomizes the work ethic, drive, and class it takes to be an elite athlete, leader, and teammate. We can’t wait to see where her path takes her at UCLA and beyond.”
MAGGIE BOYD (MADSAND BVC)
Hometown: Flower Mound, TX
College Commitment: UCLA
Notable Tournament Finishes: 2022 AVP Nationals (1st), 2022 BVCA Pairs Nationals (1st), 2022 BVCA Nationals Club Challenge (1st), 2022 USAV National Team Trial (1st)
- She and fellow-first team All-American Gabby Walker have been a dynamic duo, rarely dropping a single set in their three years at the national level.
- Earned four major tournament wins each of the past two summers.
TJ Staples, Madsand Director:
“Maggie Boyd been a force among junior beach volleyball athletes over the past four-plus years. Her ability to adapt to any challenge that has come her way through comes in no small part to the amount of effort she applies to every aspect of her game and practice.”
MACEY BUTLER (WESTLAKE HS / AJV SAND)
Hometown: Austin, TX
College Commitment: UCLA
Notable Tournament Finishes: 2022 U19 Beach World Championship Trials (3rd), 2022 AAU Nationals (3rd), 2022 P1440 Futures Tour: San Antonio (2nd), 2022 AVP Junior Nationals (9th)
- Has been a force since joining Austin Juniors, competing in both U18 and Women’s Open events.
- Posted consistent top-five finishes in nearly every major tournament she’s played in over the past two years.
Ashley Ivy Swift, Austin Juniors Volleyball Sand Director
“Macey has been an instrumental part of the AJV Sand program; she has been a strong leader and inspirational teammate. I feel so fortunate that I had the opportunity to be a part of her journey. She will be missed here at AJV Sand but we all know that she is destined for greatness in the next chapter of her life at UCLA.”
ALEXIS DURISH (210 BEACH)
Hometown: Venice, FL
College Commitment: Florida State
Notable Tournament Finishes: 2022 P1440 Nationals (1st), AAU Nationals (5th), 2022 AVP Nationals (5th), 2022 USAV U20 World Trials (2nd)
- Was a Florida Beach Volleyball state champion and made the JVA Best in Beach list.
- Took part in a number of P1440 Futures Tour events in 2022 and was named the most valuable player.
Jason Kaiser, 210 Beach Director
“Alexis has been a rising star year after year, culminating in her being one of the top eight players in the country. I have watched her grow since she showed up on the beach in San Antonio when she was 14. Her quiet on court demeanor has many competitors fooled, as she is as fierce a competitor as there is. The sky is the limit for Alexis!”
TAYLOR HAGENAH (MISSION VISTA / TAMARACK BVC)
Hometown: Oceanside, CA
College Commitment: Long Beach State
Notable Tournament Finishes: 2022 ISF World High School Championships (1st), 2022 AVP Nationals (5th), 2022 BVCA Junior Nationals (5th), 2022 AAU Junior Nationals (9th)
- A mainstay on the top of the juniors world for years, she and fellow first-team All-American Ensley Alden.
- Played in a few Women’s Open events this spring and summer. having placed in every major event over the years, and qualifying/winning a u18 world championship in France in May at ISF World High School Games.
Andrew Bennett, Tamarack Volleyball Director
“Taylor is a true leader on and off the court. She has earned everything, and is just a truly special athlete, teammate, and person. I could not be any prouder of this young lady. We are excited for her future at Long Beach State.”
CARRA SASSACK (WEST FORSYTH HS / S3 VOLLEYBALL)
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
College Commitment: Florida State
Notable Tournament Finishes: 2022 BVCA Nationals (2nd), 2022 AVP Nationals (5th), 2022 AAU WCJOG (2nd), 2022 Gulf Coast Beach Fest (2nd)
- Named to the JVA Best in Beach list in 2022.
- Tore her ACL weeks after winning a championship at the 2019 AVP Nationals, but her hard work has helped her return to be one of the county’s elite high school beach players.
Bryan Jones, S3 Volleyball Director
“Carra is an outstanding defender and has some of the best hands on the beach. She always comes in focused and ready to compete at a high level. Carra always represents herself, her teammates, and her club well. She has a wonderful attitude and truly cares about others.”
ASHLEY VINCENT (WESTMINSTER HS / S3 VOLLEYBALL)
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
College Commitment: Stanford
Notable Tournament Finishes: 2022 BVCA Nationals (2nd), 2022 AVP Nationals (5th), 2022 AAU WCJOG (2nd), 2022 Gulf Coast Beach Fest (2nd)
- Has teamed with fellow first-team All-American Carra Saccack to give S3 Volleyball an elite pair.
- Made the Best in Beach list from the JVA for 2022.
Bryan Jones, S3 Volleyball Director
“We are all extremely proud of Ashley. She has grown into one of the top competitors in the nation, and she sets a great example for our younger athletes in the club with her work ethic and attitude. She has done an incredible job over these last five years in our club and she will be greatly missed!”
GABBY WALKER (MADSAND BVC)
Hometown: Flower Mound, TX
College Commitment: USC
Notable Tournament Finishes: 2022 AVP Nationals (1st), 2022 BVCA Pairs Nationals (1st), 2022 BVCA Nationals Club Challenge (1st), 2021 AVP Nationals (1st)
- Has paired with Maggie Boyd, and the two have been nearly unstoppable, winning tournament after tournament.
- Captured the titles at the past two AVP Nationals against the best U18 competition.
TJ Staples, Madsand Director:
“In addition to being a gifted athlete, Gabby is one of the smartest players I have ever coaches. Her ability to look at the game and contacts from many angles—while processing the information with incredible precision—is incredibly rare.”
SECOND-TEAM ALL-AMERICANS
ASHLEIGH ADAMS (STARS & STRIPES VBC)
Hometown: Newtown, PA
College Commitment: Florida Atlantic
Notable Tournament Finishes: 2022 AC AVP Pro Tourney (17th), 2022 Denver AVP (25th), 2022 AVP Wildcard (1st), 2022 EE Wilson OPTX (1st)
- Spent most of the summer playing in Women’s Open and Professional AVP events.
- Picked up open wins against players that compete for Top-20 universities.
Michael Adams, Stars and Stripes Head Coach:
“Ashleigh is the type of player who loves to compete at the highest level and is know for making every player she plays with better. She consistently finishes first in all Women’s Open events, including beating players who play for Hawaii and other top 20 universities.”
KELLY BELARDI (MARYMOUNT HS / ELITE BEACH VOLLEYBALL)
Hometown: Manhattan Beach, CA
College Commitment: Stanford
Notable Tournament Finishes: 2022 AAU Nationals (5th), 2022 USAV Junior National Qualifier (1st) ), 2021 CBVA Santa Monica Open (1st)
- Has won 15 national and state championships during her career.
- One of the elite defenders on the beach and has been part of the USA High Performance and Elite development team for years.
Holly McPeak, Elite Beach Volleyball Director
“Kelly has been dominating beach volleyball courts since she was in middle school. She has a great mind for the game and even though she splits her time with indoor. Kelly’s speed on the court and her will to win, set her apart and I expect to see her continue to find ways to win at Stanford.”
JENNA COLLIGAN (MIRA COSTA HS / ELITE BEACH VOLLEYBALL)
Hometown: Manhattan Beach, CA
College Commitment: California
Notable Tournament Finishes: 2022 AVP Manhattan Beach Gold (2nd), 2022 AVP National Championships (3rd), 2022 AAU Nationals (3rd), 2022 USAV World Championship Trials (3rd)
- Member of the USA National Development Team since 2018.
- Has been part of a number of championship-winning volleyball teams at Mira Costa High School.
Holly McPeak, Elite Beach Volleyball Director
“Jenna is one the hardest working and mindful athletes on the beach. She is an honor roll student, who never backs down from an academic challenge or athletic goal. Jenna has been balancing AP classes and pushing her game to get ready to compete at Cal and has finished in the top group in every big tournament. I can’t wait to see what Jenna does at the collegiate level as a relentless defender with a big arm.”
MALIA GEMENTERA (WAVE VBC)
Hometown: Chula Vista, CA
College Commitment: Long Beach State
Notable Tournament Finishes: 2022 AAU Nationals (3rd), 2022 CBVA Women’s Open (3rd), 2021 AAU Junior Olympic Games (3rd)
- Known for her exceptional defensive skills and how well she covers the entire court.
- Stood out amongst a very strong class at the three big events this July: AVP Championships, BVCA Pairs, and AAU Junior Nationals.
Matt Olson, WAVE Beach Executive Director
“Malia is an exceptional defender and attacker. She is one of the smoothest athletes we have ever worked with and is going to be great! She is a gifted defender who not only digs everything but gets up and smashes her transition opportunities.”
DELANEY KARL (TORREY PINES HIGH SCHOOL / WAVE VBC)
Hometown: Carlsbad, CA
College Commitment: USC
Notable Tournament Finishes: 2022 USAV Gulf Coast Beach Fest (1st), 2022 BVCA Nationals (3rd), 2022 CBVA Women’s Open (3rd), 2022 AAU Nationals (5th)
- Capped a year-long injury recovery process by finishing third at the 2022 BCVA Nationals.
Matt Olson, WAVE Beach Executive Director
“Delaney was the comeback kid of the 2022 class! She suffered a back injury during play at the 2021 BVCA Pairs Championship which sidelined her for most of this past fall and winter. She kept at her rehab—and eventually her sand training—and had a great summer.”
ASHLEY PATER (LAKEWOOD RANCH HIGH SCHOOL)
Hometown: Bradenton, FL
College Commitment: USC
Notable Tournament Finishes: 2022 AAU Nationals (1st), 2022 AAU Junior Olympic Nationals (1st), 2022 USAV U19 Trials (1st), 2022 BVCA Nationals (5th)
- Will be playing for Team USA this month at the 2022 FIVB U19 Beach World Championship in Turkey.
- In addition to her advanced volleyball skills, Ashley graduated from high school a year early. She is taking classes now at El Camino CC before starting at USC next fall.
BAILEY SHOWALTER (DAKINE WARRIORS VBC)
Hometown: Issaqua, WA
College Commitment: USC
Notable Tournament Finishes: 2022 BVCA Seattle Open (1st), 2022 BVCA Hawai‘i Open (2nd), 2022 BVCA Coronado Open (2nd), 2022 BVCA Huntington Beach Open (5th)
- Is with USAV, traveling as part of the U19 National Team Development Program.
- Widely considered the top blocker in the Class of 2022.
Chris Hannemann, DaKine Warriors Volleyball Club Founder
“As a club, we compete in the BVCA collegiate series, and Bailey is part of my No. 1 team with Kelsey Richards. This team routinely beat the best teams in the country. She is such a great beach blocker and is very skilled at leveraging and reaching over; most all players simply shoot the ball against her.”
SAVANNAH STANDAGE (MBSAND)
Hometown: Hermosa Beach, CA
College Commitment: Pepperdine
Notable Tournament Finishes: 2022 BVCA Nationals Club Challenge (2nd), 2022 BVCA Pairs Nationals (3rd), 2022 CBVA Open (1st)
- Has been a top-three finisher at the USAV NTDP in her age group each of the past six years.
Patty Dodd, MBSand Director
“When Savannah came to MBsand at 11 years old, she showed promise at a young age. She has been able to maintain a high level of play the last seven years as she heads to compete collegiately at Pepperdine. With her all-around skill set and feisty competitive spirit, Savannah will make an impact as a freshman.”
