Just as Island Mixx 14U Elite team is saying goodbye to the 2024 AAU National Volleyball Championship in Orlando, Florida, Island Mixx 18U Elite team takes center stage. This team finished the 2024 Michael Richardson Winter Power Volleyball League held in St. Thomas in second place.
The roster is filled with talented players and is ready for this tournament. “Once we play with confidence and limit our unforced errors, we will be in every match we play,” said Head Coach Mark Daniel. “Coach Scott Ozarski did an excellent job preparing them for this competition. I expect them to perform well for him and themselves.”
Ozarski isn’t able to make the trip because he and his wife will be welcoming an addition to their family later this month, so club director Daniel will be managing the team.
This team is led by their strong middles, Mya Vigilant and Xania Fleming. This is Vigilant’s third year playing on the top team in the club and she brings a wealth of game experience on the club and international levels. She is a member of the Virgin Islands Youth and Junior National Team. She is on both rosters as they compete later this summer. Xania Fleming signed a letter of intent to play college volleyball at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Fleming has also traveled with teams in the program over the past three years.
Krystal Eddy is the other middle on this roster. However, she has committed to playing on the U.S. Virgin Islands National Team and will be in training camp with the team during this event as they prepare to participate in the Norceca Continental Championship in Toronto, Canada, June 23 – July 1. Trying to fill her shoes is rookie Alliyah Francis, a talented middle blocker who is making her first showing at this event.
The team boasts experienced players at libero, another keep position. Emma Alexander and Charity Sertich will be the anchors of the backcourt defense and serve reception. Both players have been with the program from the start and have traveled to AAUs for the past four years. They are also excellent servers and will be major contributors to the offense.
We have two rising stars playing on the outside in J’nisa Challenger and Lynnel Warrell. Challenger is very athletic. She has the highest vertical on the team and is quick to the ball. Challenger has become a more consistent hitter. Warrell is tall and strong. She spikes and serves with power. Once they play with confidence and pass the ball efficiently, they will be the key to the team’s offensive success.
Eliana Walters is the third outside hitter on the team but unfortunately, she wasn’t able to make the trip. Dejanae Boland will be the third outside hitter on the team. This is her first year competing at this level.
Lilyana Aubain is the team’s setter. This is her fourth year traveling with the club. Last year, she played several positions on the 18U Elite. The team will be relying on her experience and energy. Aubain is a very passionate player.
The team had three matches on Monday. The first began at 9:00 a.m. against a team from Illinois, Prime Time 18 White. Game two was just 60 minutes later when the team took on FIVA 18U based in Florida.The final match of their opening day was against a team out of Virginia, Venom VBC 18-1. All matches will be played at the Orange County Convention Center’s South Concourse Court 113.
Island Mixx 18U Roster
Eliana Walters 1 Antilles School
Aaliyah Francis 3 All Saints School
Emma Alexander 4 Charlotte Amalie High School
Krystal Eddy 5 Ivanna Eudora Kean High School
Mya Vigilant 6 Antilles School
Dejanae Boland 7 All Saints School
J’Nisa Challenger 9 Charlotte Amalie High School
Xania Fleming 11 Charlotte Amalie High School
Lilyana Aubain 13 Charlotte Amalie High School
Charity Sertich 14 Antilles School
Mark Daniel Head Coach
