Ten 16s Teams to Follow at Triple Crown NIT
Okay, let’s talk about some 16s teams now! In case you missed it, we just previewed a big group of 17s and 18s power pool matchups that will surely have a lot of intrigue on Saturday. Now, our discussion moves…
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Continue ReadingOkay, let’s talk about some 16s teams now!
In case you missed it, we just previewed a big group of 17s and 18s power pool matchups that will surely have a lot of intrigue on Saturday. Now, our discussion moves to some 16s teams with a lot to prove in Kansas City.
Aside from being an incredibly competitive event with high-level volleyball, Triple Crown NIT is also a colossal recruiting venue for hundreds of college coaches from across the country. Many of these will surely have their eyes on the Class of 2024. While the open contact period doesn’t begin for this class until the summer, this weekend marks a big opportunity for 16s athletes to showcase their skills.
So, while these ten teams will have my attention this weekend, there are so many more teams and athletes in this division that I look forward to discovering. Recruiters will be making these same discoveries, too.
Now, let’s talk about some of these squads.
A5 Mizuno 16 Gabe
Chris Fitzgerald got a live eye on 16 Gabe at Central Zones and mentioned this team’s strength in a preview here. It’s undoubtedly a team with enviable physicality, with Mia Hood and MK Patten holding things down at the net. Hannah Benjamin is also an imposing pin hitter to watch from this group, as she can absolutely tee off from the left side.
WAVE 16 Brennan
Our Triple Crown previews for the 17s and 18s helped lay out the strong presence that California teams will have at this event. WAVE 16 Brennan is another group to add to the list, and I’ll be interested to see how they emerge from an Saturday gauntlet that includes matchups with A5, KC Power, and TAV. Camden Bolane and Jenna Hanes form a middle blocker pair for WAVE that I’ll be anxious to watch.
VCNebraska 16 Elite
VCN’s appearance in the 16s power pools is no fluke. Though this year’s lineup looks slightly different than 2021’s 15s iteration, 16 Elite has the firepower to make a run in this division. Ball handling is a strength, too, as libero Mallorie Meyer and setter Ali Bruning lead the way in that phase. Outside hitter Tia Traudt is certainly one of the 2025s to watch in the 16s division.
Dynasty 16 Black
This features is certainly not complete without Dynasty 16 Black. The championship history speaks for itself. 16 Black boasts an elite corps of pin hitters with Skyler Pierce and Carlie Cisneros bringing some serious heat on the left side. And, if we’re going to drop some names from the Class of 2025, opposite Abigail Mullen is an absolute showstopper.
MKE Sting 16 Gold
I just watched a ton of Wisconsin athletes compete in Chicago last weekend, so let’s keep the Badgerland vibes going. MKE Sting has the tools to compete with anyone in the 16s division. I’m particularly excited to watch Anna Bjork, who brings an absolute hammer at the middle blocker spot.
TAV 16 Black
Even if you’re not embedded in the Texas prep landscape, you’re probably still familiar with the incredible volleyball that TAV can bring. This weekend, there will be perhaps no better example of this than 16 Black. Mikala Young is certainly a pin hitter that you’ll want to see, and I also like the six-rotation versatility of Jadyn Livings.
Colorado Juniors 16-Sherri
I’m really excited to see CoJrs in action here, and 16-Sherri could be poised to make a big impression Saturday. Izzy Starck is a high-flying pin hitter on this team and bears a name that many fans will recognize. Meanwhile, Addie Kanouff is a huge force who can thrive in the middle or on the outside.
NKYVC 16-1 Tsunami
NKYVC is a club that always seems to find the right balance of ball control and hard-hitting offense. 16-1 Tsunami should bring both of those things. Julia Hunt is a can’t-miss prospect on this team who absolutely lit it up at Central Zones. She can hit from anywhere, too. On the ball handling side, keep an eye on Elizabeth Tabeling at libero.
1st Alliance 16 Gold
We’ve talked a lot about 1st Alliance’s 17s team lately, but don’t forget that 16 Gold is also going to bring some elite talent into Kansas City. Claire van den Herik brings some nice backcourt skills to the outside hitter position, and Calli Kenny helps glue the whole team together at setter.
Rockwood Thunder 16 Elite
Lastly, we have another club that’s going to have multiple high-level entries at Triple Crown. Rockwood Thunder’s 16s team has no shortage of eye-popping talent. Class of 2025 middle blocker Maya Witherspoon is one of those players that you absolutely have to see. Likewise, Mia Scanlon can realistically play any position across the frontcourt and does so with serious skill.