Triple Crown NIT KS/MO 15U Teams Ready To Shine

<p>What many feel is the toughest tournament in juniors volleyball is set to kick off with the Triple Crown NIT taking place President's Day Weekend in Kansas City The one tournament that gets many teams from across the country in one place regardless of affiliation to junior organizations. The tournament is a fun one as it starts off with [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] Pools for teams many experts consider to be the top in the country in their respective age groups. They battle it out early with no risk of falling out of championship contention. The others teams not in the [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] Pools are fighting to advance to the championship brackets by navigating through their pools and challenge rounds. Here are some of the teams representing Kansas and Missouri this weekend in the 15-year-old division.</p> <p>In the [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] Pools, Mavs KC 15-1, Dynasty 15 Black, and [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] 15-1 are spread out among the pools. Another thing the tournament attempts to do is ensure teams from within the same region don't play each other early on. <strong>Mavs KC 15-1</strong> features two dynamic setters who had huge impacts on their high school programs this past fall. [player_tooltip player_id="154041" first="Logan" last="Parks"] was key in helping lead Blue Valley North to a state championship this fall setting and swinging from the right side. At Blue Valley West, [player_tooltip player_id="173372" first="Lily" last="Wedman"] in her first year guided her team back to the state tournament, a year removed from a state title. [player_tooltip player_id="173373" first="Reagan" last="McGivern"] and [player_tooltip player_id="150074" first="Taylour" last="Standifer"] both are players to watch along the front line. </p> <p><strong>Dynasty 15 Black</strong> is another team looking to make a run after a strong 14s season. [player_tooltip player_id="153934" first="Emma" last="Christian"] is playing with her year this season and will help keep the tempo moving for their quick-go offense. Pin [player_tooltip player_id="173376" first="Lauren" last="Lopez"] turned heads in her first year at Bishop MIege High School and will look to score points all weekend. </p> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] 15-1</strong> round out the Kansas City teams invited to [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] Pool groupings. They are off to a 6-4 start in Heart of America (HOA) [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League Play and hope to have a strong showing this weekend. Watch for McKenna Jacquin and [player_tooltip player_id="173388" first="Maren" last="Carter"] to step up their play. </p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Other 15U Teams </strong></em></span></p> <p><strong>Mavs 816 15-1</strong></p> <p>Mavs 816 have been strong early this season currently sitting in third after two HOA playdates. They have been strong defensively behind the back row play of [player_tooltip player_id="173395" first="Brookelyn" last="Hatton"] and Addison Gardner.</p> <p><strong>Shockwave 15 Tim</strong></p> <p>Shockwave continues to show they are a program to be reckoned with for years to come representing South Kansas. They boast a deep roster with many players who contributed to their high school programs this fall such as [player_tooltip player_id="173399" first="Macy" last="Bunch"] and Karli George. </p> <p><strong>Topeka Saints 15-1</strong></p> <p>The Saints will look to turn around their slow [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League start with a strong showing in Kansas City. Jo Benning and Reagan Lee hope to showcase their playmaking ability over the three days. </p> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last=''] 15 Elite</strong></p> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last=''] is 7-3 in their 10 [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League matches so far and have been consistent in their strong play in all facets of the game. They have a roster of playmakers including Reese Cullor, Macey Jackson, and Alex Myers. </p> <p><strong>Rockwood Thunder 15 Elite</strong></p> <p>Rockwood will make the trek from the St. Louis area to plant their flag as one of the top teams in the country. They feature a strong tandem of setters is long [player_tooltip player_id="174406" first="Brytn" last="Lyon"] and quickstep [player_tooltip player_id="169899" first="Maddy" last="Bach"]<span style="font-size: 1rem;">. [player_tooltip player_id="168035" first="Reagan" last="Nelson"] will look to fill it up from the pin. </span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>