Show Me State 16 USA and National Ready to Rock

<p>The 16s are a week away from heading west to participate in the 2021 Girls Junior National Championships. It is an exciting time for these players, their coaches, and their families after missing out on this opportunity a year ago. The festivities will begin on Friday, July 2nd, and conclude on July 5th. Here are the Missouri teams participating in the USA and National Division.</p> <p><strong>Rockwood Thunder 16 Navy</strong></p> <p><em><strong>How did they get here? Big South qualified</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Other notes: 5th Gateway League, 9th MEQ, 5th Show Me</strong></em></p> <p>16 Navy is primed to make a deep run in the USA Division. We believe they are battle-tested and have the pieces in order to make a lengthy run at nationals. Our opinion is this team has a couple of the best tandems on the outside and at the middle position in the upcoming tournament. On the pins, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="150022" first="Mattie" last="Reynolds"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="123657" first="Abigail" last="Siess"]</strong> have powered this team. Joining these dynamic players in the middle are <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="150012" first="Tess" last="McConnell"]</strong> and <strong>Gracy Weikel</strong>. McConnell has come on strong this spring and will be a player to continue to watch this fall. <strong>Libero</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152123" first="Dana" last="Grib"]</strong> has been electric and brings fire to the court each match out. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152124" first="Taylor" last="Dumm"]</strong> is an improved setter and making a name for herself heading into her Junior season. </p> <p><strong>Mavs 816 16-1</strong></p> <p><em><strong>How did they get here? 2nd Place Power League</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Other notes:9th Show Me, 25th MEQ</strong></em></p> <p>Mavs 816 put the region on alert after a second-place finish in one of the most competitive power leagues in the country. They have been competitive in their qualifier and tournament play in the Open Division, which should prepare them for the National division.  They will benefit from having one of their top players available for the first two days of competition in <strong>MB [player_tooltip player_id="119222" first="Aisha" last="Aiona"]</strong>. She is a difference-maker with her ability to score but her defensive presence is a game-changer. She will certainly be available for the final day and we will watch to monitor her availability on day 3. Many players are capable of providing a spark on this roster. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="99226" first="Ashlyn" last="Bellamy"]</strong> has proven she is one of the top young hitters in the region and possibly the country. She is fearless and a gamer. <strong>Libero Sidney Kacsir</strong> flies around the court keeping balls alive to keep rallies going. <strong>Setter [player_tooltip player_id="152128" first="Molly" last="Brown"]</strong> has been consistent and makes smart decisions with the ball. Look for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="152126" first="Emma" last="Siron"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="123470" first="Kira" last="Cherry"]</strong> to be key in the tournament run. </p> <p><strong>HPSTL 16 Royal</strong></p> <p><em><strong>How did they get here? Gateway Bid Play</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Other notes? 25th at Sunshine, 10th in Gateway League, 14th Windy City, 5th Show Me</strong></em></p> <p>16 Royal had a difficult qualifier season but played strong during the bid tournament to capture a bid to Las Vegas in the National division of the 16s age group. They have a roster of players hungry and looking forward to making noise in the coming day. Middle play is not an issue with this team with<strong> [player_tooltip player_id="123475" first="Kylie" last="Stehlin"], Ava Waltenberger</strong>,  and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="101700" first="Elise" last="Paul"]</strong> taking turns beating on defensives and sending back balls at the offense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="123471" first="Emma" last="Blaine"]</strong> has been a pleasant surprise on the right side. She has had some good tournament showings in 2021. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="102462" first="Addison" last="Kersting"]</strong> is one of the many quality setters in the class of 2023 representing the Show-Me State at nationals. She will look to feed the ball to outside hitters<strong> [player_tooltip player_id="102461" first="Brianna" last="Wortman"]</strong> and <strong>Shelby Truit</strong>. <strong>Libero Ella Gaona</strong> is a player you must see with her playmaking abilities. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>