15s Shine In "Back To The Court" Tournament In Omaha

It was “Back To The Court” this weekend for teams out of four states coming to compete at Nebraska Elite with a field loaded with talent. The 15s had plenty of talent all around resulting in plenty of tight matches and chances to compete against older competition. For these athletes, the recruiting process hasn’t quite heated up yet, but there are still chances to get on the radar for college coaches. With BallerTV, I was able to tune into some of the matches over the course of the weekend as well revisit a few taking a closer look at the action from UBT. *Names are based off numbers provided on BallerTV (some teams were on the far side of the court and I did my best to see the numbers from afar). Destiny Simpson - Nebraska Elite 15 Revolution WOW! Seeing Simpson attack from the backrow and the pin was something special where she has such a violent arm swing. I would have loved to be there in person to see Simpson go head to head with newly verballed Nebraska commit [player_tooltip player_id="17322" first="Hayden" last="Kubik"] of Club ignite Select 16 Blue from the West Des Moines area. These two are some of the top pin hitters in the country. Simpson has a similar style to Kubik where they are both extremely physical and hit such a heavy ball. 15 Revolution had quite the battle with Club ignite where they would defeat them 17-15 in set three. With a continued all around game, Simpson will continue to be dangerous as a point scorer from anywhere on the court.   [player_tooltip player_id="79685" first="Cassidy" last="Hartman"] - Six Pack 15U Madelyn Norton - Six Pack 15U This pin hitting duo always provides a scoring outlet for Six Pack 15U. I was able to see Hartman this fall at the Iowa State tournament where she was competing for Iowa City Liberty in Iowa’s largest class. They both are able to mix up their shots going sharp, deep, being creative with how to find the open spot. Norton is the crafty lefty who can do a little bit of everything on the right side, but is also a threat in the backrow. She’s incredibly dynamic creating positive touches for her side of the net.   [player_tooltip player_id="59194" first="Morgan" last="Burke"] - Nebraska Elite 15 Revolution Burke is going to be fun to develop over the course of her career where she has the size and skill to be uber dangerous. A setter who can also swing, she has the physicality at the net to really make an impact. She brings a major presence with her blocking and heavy swing on the right side and she heads back to the service line and transitions to be her team’s setter. Burke is a well-rounded athlete who can contribute in multiple ways.   Ella Swindle - KC Power 15-1 Swindle is already making a name for herself with honors with USA Volleyball, but it was fun to get a chance to see her play. Long athletic, Swindle just moves so easily across the court where she takes the ball high and can distribute to plenty of hitters on her side. She can read the other side of the net and is able to dish with multiple tempos and routes. KC Power is always one of the top programs to content in each age group year in and year out.   Reagan Fox - KC Power 15-1 Fox has an extra spring in her jump where she is a high flying outside hitter. With a high contact point and the ability to take what the defense gives her going line or cross, she can score points in bunches.   Aliana Olson - KC Power 15-1 Olson comes out of the middle where she works extremely well with Swindle. A heavy arm that puts a hurt on the ball along with a fast arm swing. She is also really powerful when she comes around on a slide. Her presence is felt offensively and defensively throughout her time in the front row.   Morgan Bjella - SWMNVB 15-1 Bjella is nearing six feet tall with a big left handed swing from the right side. She finds the opening and gives the defense a different look with her swing. She can score points in bunches and is also a big block for an opposing outside hitter to compete with. She still hasn’t set foot in high school yet, but will be a Freshman at Marshall High School who is a powerhouse in Minnesota High School volleyball.   Sydney Thein - SWMNVB 15-1 Thein has some major hops from the pin, but can swing from anywhere in the front row to score points. SWMNVB will bring her through the middle where she can swing away or tip out, and she was able to score multiple ways off different tempos. This club is comprised of plenty of small school athletes who are highly competitive at the state level and are always up for a challenge against bigger clubs.   [player_tooltip player_id="79679" first="Mara" last="Fluent"] - Six Pack 15-1 Fluent is so quick, getting her hands to the ball and jump setting whenever possible. She connects extremely well with middle blocker, [player_tooltip player_id="79704" first="Kalvyn" last="Rosengarten"] who is an absolute force in the middle with a heavy swing and is highly efficient. Six Pack is always one of the top teams in Iowa with a big tradition and this 15s team has plenty of fun athletes who will be ones to keep tabs on over the next few years.   Brooklyn Fuchs - VCN 15 Elite Fuchs is out of the middle and is extremely active from pin to pin. Long, athletic, she can get up and snap and get to the pin to close the block. She can run all the routes of a middle and connects well with her setter whether she is in front for a quick tempo or behind for a slide or quick. From the Class of 2023, Fuchs has the length and training that will be fun to watch as her game develops.