2022 Athletes Unlimited Volleyball season

Last updated
2022 Athletes Unlimited Volleyball Season
Athletes unlimited logo.png
Athletes Unlimited Logo
Tournament details
Host nationUnited States
City Dallas
DatesMarch 16 – April 16
Venue(s)1 (in 1 host city)
Tournament awards
MVP Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg Bethania de la Cruz
Best Setter Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Natalia Valentín-Anderson
Best OH Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg Bethania de la Cruz
Flag of the United States.svg Dani Drews
Best MB Flag of the United States.svg Molly McCage
Flag of the United States.svg Jenna Rosenthal
Best OPP Flag of Brazil.svg Sheilla Castro
Best Libero Flag of the United States.svg Morgan Hentz
Tournament statistics
Matches played30
Official website
AU Unlimited Volleyball

The 2022 Athletes Unlimited Volleyball season was the Athletes Unlimited Volleyball's second season in existence. The season was played in Dallas, Texas and ran from March 16, 2022 to April 16, 2022.

Contents

Bethania de la Cruz was the overall season winner - finishing with 4,652 points. [1]

2022 Roster

NamePositionCollege2021-2022 Club
Ali BastianelliMiddle Blocker Illinois Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Atenienses De Manati
Amanda BensonLibero Oregon
Tina BoeMiddle Blocker Denver Flag of the United States.svg Denver Pioneers
Taylor Bruns TegenrotSetter South Carolina Flag of Sweden.svg Goteborg Volleybollklubb
Sheilla Castro Outside hitter/Opposite
Alisha Glass Childress Setter Penn State
Naya CrittendenOpposite Oregon/Illinois Flag of Turkey.svg Sarıyer Belediyespor
Aury Cruz Outside hitter Florida Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Valencianas de Juncos
Bethania de la Cruz Outside hitter Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Altay VC
Tori Dilfer Setter Louisville Flag of the United States.svg Louisville Cardinals
Dani Drews Outside Hitter Utah Flag of Poland.svg KPS Chemik Police
Leah EdmondOutside Hitter Kentucky Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Valencianas de Juncos
Erin FairsOutside Hitter USF/Kentucky
Rachael FaraMiddle Blocker Northwestern/Dayton/
Colorado
Falyn Fonoimoana Opposite USC
Taylor FricanoOpposite North Carolina Flag of Italy.svg Olimpia Teodora Ravenna
Morgan Hentz Libero Stanford
Cassidy Lichtman Outside hitter Stanford Flag of the United States.svg Athletes Unlimited
Hana LishmanLibero Pepperdine
Carli Lloyd Setter California Flag of the United States.svg Athletes Unlimited
Karsta Lowe Opposite UCLA Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Changas de Naranjito
Kalei Mau Outside Hitter Minnesota/Arizona Flag of the United States.svg Athletes Unlimited
Molly McCage Middle Blocker Texas Flag of the United States.svg Athletes Unlimited
Deja McClendonOutside Hitter Penn State Flag of the United States.svg Athletes Unlimited
Sha'Dare McNealOpposite Texas
Taylor MorganMiddle Blocker Minnesota Flag of the United States.svg Athletes Unlimited
Valerie NicholSetter Purdue Flag of the United States.svg Athletes Unlimited
Jamie PetersonOutside Hitter Dayton Flag of the United States.svg Dayton Flyers
Jenna Rosenthal Middle Blocker Marquette
Taylor SandbotheMiddle Blocker Ohio State Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Valencianas de Juncos
Ray SantosSetter Arkansas Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Pinkin de Corozal
Noami Santos-LambOutside Hitter Florida Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Changas de Naranjito
Lindsay Stalzer Outside Hitter Bradley Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Atenienses De Manati
Lauren StivrinsMiddle Blocker Nebraska Flag of the United States.svg Nebraska Cornhuskers
Ronika StoneMiddle Blocker Oregon Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Pinkin de Corozal
Lianna SybeldonMiddle Blocker Washington Flag of the United States.svg Athletes Unlimited
Nootsara Tomkom Setter Flag of Thailand.svg Diamond Food
Natalia Valentín-Anderson Setter FIU Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Valencianas de Juncos
Madison VillinesOutside Hitter Kansas Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Changas de Naranjito
Nomaris Vélez AgostoLibero Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Changas de Naranjito
Emma WillisMiddle Blocker Denver
Erica WilsonOpposite Hitter Arizona State Flag of the United States.svg Athletes Unlimited
Niki WithersOpposite Cal State Fullerton/USC
Eri XueMiddle Blocker Long Beach State Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Liaoning Huajun

Scoring system

Unlike traditional volleyball which is best-of-5 sets, matches in Athletes Unlimited always play three sets. A team does not necessarily have to win the majority or all of the sets as the winner is determined based on the final overall score. If the teams are tied after 3 sets, a tie breaking fourth set (referred to as the "Golden Set) is played. The Golden Set goes to 5 points and must win by two. [2]

MVP Points

After each match, players and members of The Unlimited Club vote for three players who had standout performances. [2] MVP points are awarded as follows:

Individual stats

In addition to team points and MVP points, players earn points based on their offensive and defensive performance. [2]

The breakdown for individual points is as follows:

Captains

At the conclusion of each week, the top four point scorers are named team captains. Each captain is assigned to a team color based on their standing. Captains then choose their team in a weekly draft. [2]

Games

Week 1

2022 Athletes Unlimited Season
Week 1
DateTime (CDT)MatchupTVResultHigh killsHigh blocksHigh assistsHigh digs
Wednesday, March 165:00 PM Team Lowe vs Team Cruz YouTube 77–74 (27–25, 25–27, 25–22) Karsta Lowe (22)Ali Bastianelli (3)Carli Lloyd (40)Amanda Benson (19)
7:30 PM Team de la Cruz vsTeam McClendon Bally Sports 68–59 (25–13, 18–25, 25–21) Dani Drews (10)Lauren Stivrins (4)Natalia Valentín-Anderson (28)Natalia Valentín-Anderson (16)
Friday, March 186:00 PMTeam McClendonvs Team Cruz FS1 71–68 (25–17, 22–25, 24–26) Aury Cruz (15)Taylor Morgan
Molly McCage
Dani Drews (3)
Natalia Valentín-Anderson (35)Morgan Hentz (18)
8:30 PM Team Lowe vs Team de la Cruz FS2 74–78 (24–26, 21–25, 29–27) Karsta Lowe
Lindsay Stalzer
Bethania de la Cruz (13)
Lauren Stivrins (4)Carli Lloyd (35)Amanda Benson (17)
Saturday, March 196:00 PMTeam McClendonvs Team Lowe FS2 76–58(25–23, 26–24, 25–11) Dani Drews (16)Rachael Fara (3)Natalia Valentín-Anderson (43)Carli Lloyd
Nomaris Velez Agosto (13)
9:30 p.m. Team Cruz vs Team de la Cruz Bally Sports 69–71 (19–25, 25–23, 25–23) Kalei Mau
Falyn Fonoimoana
Madison Villindes (10)
Molly McCage (4)Nootsara Tomkom (28)Morgan Hentz (16)

Week 2

2022 Athletes Unlimited Season
Week 2
DateTime (CDT)MatchupTVResultHigh killsHigh blocksHigh assistsHigh digs
Wednesday, March 236:30 p.m. Natalia Valentín-Anderson vs Team de la Cruz YouTube 75–80 (23–25, 20–25, 32–30) Bethania de la Cruz (22)Ali Bastianelli (5)Nootsara Tomkom (45)Nomaris Velez Agosto
Bethania de la Cruz (18)
7:30 PM Team Drews vsTeam Stivrins Bally Sports 69–64 (19–25, 25–22, 25–17) Dani Drews (16)Taylor Morgan
Jenna Rosenthal
Ronika Stone (3)
Carli Lloyd (27)Amanda Benson (17)
Friday, March 256:00 PMTeam Stivrinsvs Team de la Cruz FS2 71–70 (26–24, 25–21, 20–25) Bethania de la Cruz (27)Eri Xue (4)Nootsara Tomkom (43)Erin Fairs (19)
8:30 PM Team Valentín-Anderson vs Team Drews FS2 70–66 (25–21, 20–25, 25–20) Karsta Lowe
Dani Drews (18)
Taylor Morgan
Ali Bastianelli
Carli Lloyd
Taylor Sandbothe
Madison Villines
Jenna Rosenthal (2)
Carli Lloyd
Natalia Valentín-Anderson (33)
Amanda Benson (19)
Saturday, March 266:30 PMTeam Stivrinsvs Team Valentín-Anderson FS2 70–73 (22–25, 23–25, 25–23) Leah Edmond (19)Madison Villines (3)Natalia Valentín-Anderson (37)Morgan Hentz (16)
9:00 PM Team de la Cruz vs Team Drews Bally Sports 68–57 (18–25, 25–9, 25–23) Sheilla Castro (17)Bethania de la Cruz (3)Nootsara Tomkom (36)Nomaris Velez Agosto (12)

Week 3

2022 Athletes Unlimited Season
Week 3
DateTime (CDT)MatchupTVResultHigh killsHigh blocksHigh assistsHigh digs
Wednesday, March 305:00 PM Team Drews vs Team Lowe YouTube 75–66 (25–27, 25–21, 25–18) Leah Edmond (18)Karsta Lowe
Madison Villines
Ronika Stone
Leah Edmond
Dani Drews (2)
Natalia Valentín-Anderson (41)Karsta Lowe (21)
7:30 Team de la Cruz vs Team Sheilla Bally Sports 61–72 (25–22, 18–25, 25–18) Sheilla Castro (16)Taylor Morgan
Ali Bastianelli (2)
Nootsara Tomkom (13)Nootsara Tomkom (13)
Friday, April 16:00 PM Team Sheilla vs Team Lowe FS2 83–81 (19–25, 25–19, 39–37) Sheilla Castro (23)Ali Bastianelli (6)Alisha Glass Childress (37)Hana Lishman (15)
8:30 PM Team Drews vs Team de la Cruz FS2 77–59 (25–17, 27–25, 25–17) Dani Drews (20)Taylor Morgan (3)Natalia Valentín-Anderson (39)Morgan Hentz (12)
Saturday, April 26:00 PM Team Sheilla vs Team Drews CBS Sports 67–73 (20–25, 25–23, 22–25) Jamie Peterson
Erin Fairs
Dani Drews (11)
Ronika Stone (5)Natalia Valentín-Anderson (34)Morgan Hentz (14)
8:00 PM Team Lowe vs Team de la Cruz CBS Sports Network 63–61 (23–25, 15–25, 25–11) Madison Villines
Bethania de la Cruz (15)
Naya Crittenden
Taylor Sandbothe
Lindsay Stalzer (2)
Carli Lloyd (25)Nomaris Velez Agonsto (18)

Week 4

2022 Athletes Unlimited Season
Week 4
DateTime (CDT)MatchupTVResultHigh killsHigh blocksHigh assistsHigh digs
Wednesday, April 65:00 PM Team Sheilla vs Team de la Cruz YouTube 60–75 (22–25, 16–25, 22–25) Bethania de la Cruz (15)Ronika Stone
Cassidy Lichtman (3)
Alisha Glass Childress (38)Nomaris Velez Agosto (14)
7:30 Team Drews vs Team Valentín-Anderson YouTube 61–72 (18–25, 18–25, 25–22) Dani Drews (18)Taylor Sandbothe
Jenna Rosenthal
Leah Edmond
Dani Drews (2)
Natalia Valentín-Anderson (36)Falyn Fonoimoana (17)
Friday, April 86:00 PM Team Valentín-Anderson vs Team de la Cruz FS2 72–69 (22–25, 25–23, 25–21) Jenna Rosenthal
Bethania de la Cruz (16)
Molly McCage (5)Natalia Valentín-Anderson (48)Natalia Valentín-Anderson (17)
9:00 PM Team Sheilla vs Team Drews CBS Sports Network 75–56 (25–19, 25–20, 25–17) Dani Drews (13)Carli Lloyd (4)Nootsara Tomkom (28)Morgan Hentz (20)
Saturday, April 94:00 PM Team Valentín-Anderson vs Team Sheilla CBS Sports Network 54–75 (15–25, 22–25, 17–25) Lindsay Stalzer
Leah Edmond (12)
Taylor Morgan
Lianna Sybeldon
Eri Xue
Kalei Mau
Ali Bastianelli
Sheilla Castro
Natalia Valentín-Anderson (1)
Natalia Valentín-Anderson (31)Amanda Benson (17)
7:00 PM Team de la Cruz vs Team Drews CBS Sports Network 73–64 (25–19, 25–20, 23–25) Bethania de la Cruz (18)Molly McCage (4)Alisha Glass Childress (33)Nomaris Velez Agosto (17)

Week 5

2022 Athletes Unlimited Season
Week 5
DateTime (CDT)MatchupTVResultHigh killsHigh blocksHigh assistsHigh digs
Wednesday, April 147:00 PM Team Valentín-Anderson vs Team Drews CBS Sports Network 71–67 (21–25, 25–19, 25–23) Dani Drews (15)Taylor Sandbothe (4)Natalia Valentín-Anderson (33)Hana Lishman (22)
9:00 PM Team de la Cruz vs Team Lichtman CBS Sports Network 71–66 (25–20, 21–25, 25–21) Bethania de la Cruz (19)Cassidy Lichtman (3)Nootsara Tomkom (43)Morgan Hentz (16)
Friday, April 156:00 PM Team Lichtman vs Team Drews FS2 68–65 (25–17, 25–23, 18–25) Leah Edmond (14)Molly McCage
Lianna Sybeldon (4)
Alisha Glass Childress (22)Morgan Hentz (16)
9:00 PM Team Valentín-Anderson vs Team de la Cruz CBS Sports Network 61–75 (19–25, 23–25, 19–25) Bethania de la Cruz (17)Jenna Rosenthal (3)Nootsara Tomkom (42)Bethania de la Cruz (17)
Saturday, April 166:00 PM Team Lichtman vs Team Valentín-Anderson FS2 78–76 (25–20, 28–26, 18–25, 7–5) Jamie Peterson (17)Eri Xue
Taylor Sandbothe (3)
Alisha Glass Childress (35)Morgan Hentz (21)
9:00 PM Team Drews vs Team de la Cruz CBS Sports Network 73–76 (23–25, 22–25, 28–26) Bethania de la Cruz (19)Ray Santos
Lianna Sybeldon
Erin Fairs
Bethania de la Cruz (2)
Nootsara Tomkom (41)Nomaris Velez Agosto (22)

Leaderboard

Below is the leaderboard which tallies the total points earned via the scoring system that each player has accumulated during the games that are played each week. The list reflects the final standings.

RankPlayerPointsNotes
1 Bethania de la Cruz 4,652
2 Natalia Valentín-Anderson 3,337
3 Dani Drews 3,308
4 Cassidy Lichtman 3,279
5 Nootsara Tomkom 3,027
6Leah Edmond2,957Unavailable on Saturday, April 16 [4]
7 Morgan Hentz 2,950
8 Sheilla Castro 2,799Unavailable during Week 5 [4]
9Ronika Stone2,784
10Erin Fairs2,704
11Nomaris Velez Agost2,701
12 Aury Cruz 2,667
13 Lindsay Stalzer 2,604
14Hana Lishman2,597
15Amanda Benson2,368
16Jenna Rosenthal2,348
17 Alisha Glass Childress 2,293
18Madison Villines2,267
19 Falyn Fonoimoana 2,209
20 Karsta Lowe 2,131Did not complete season due to injury [4]
21Taylor Sandbothe2,098
22 Carli Lloyd 2,076
23Ali Bastianelli2,045
24 Kalei Mau 2,033
25Jamie Peterson2,012
26Eri Xue1,978
27Lianna Sybeldon1,924
28 Molly McCage 1,921
29Emma Willis1,898
30Taylor Morgan1,839
31Taylor Fricano1,819
32 Tori Dilfer 1,728
33Valerie Nichol1,661
34Ray Santos1,619
35Niki Withers1,618
36Taylor Bruns Tegenrot1,605
37Erica Wilson1,405Unavailable on Saturday, April 16 [4]
38Deja McClendon1,379
39Naya Crittenden1,347Unavailable on Thursday, April 14 [4]
40Rachael Fara1,345
41Naomi Santos-Lamb1,194
42Lauren Stivrins901Did not complete season due to injury [4] [5]
43Sha'Dare McNeal802Did not complete season due to injury [4] [6]
44Tina Boe792

Team Captain Records

Team Captains Records
TeamRecord (Win %)Number of Weeks as Captain
Team de la Cruz 10–5 (.667)5
Team Sheilla 4–2 (.667)2
Team Lichtman 2–1 (.667)1
Team McClendon2–1 (.667)1
Team Valentín-Anderson 5–4 (.556)3
Team Drews 4–8 (.333)4
Team Stivrins1–2 (.333)1
Team Lowe 1–5 (.167)2
Team Cruz 0–3 (.000)1

Awards

The following players were named to the 2022 Dream Team: [1]

Hentz was also named the Defensive Player of the Year. [1]

Related Research Articles

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "BETHANIA DE LA CRUZ WINS ATHLETES UNLIMITED VOLLEYBALL CROWN". Just Women's Sports.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "How We Play -Volleyball". auprosports.com. AU Pro Sports.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "AU Volleyball - List of Teams by Week". auprosports.com. AU Pro Volleyball. Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "2022 Player Status". auprosports.com. AU Pro Sports.
  5. "Lauren Stivrins Bio". auprosports.com. AU Pro Sports.
  6. "Sha'Dare McNeal Bio". auprosports.com. AU Pro Sports.