Triple Crown NIT Recap – Drive Nation 17 Red

The Triple Crown National Invitation Tournament was held at the Kansas City Convention Center. There were hundreds of talented teams from across the country competing in this awesome tournament and over 500 college coaches were in attendance. Texas was well represented with 69 teams in the 15’s -18’s divisions. Over the course of the three days we were able to witness some amazing play from our wonderful Texas players. We tried to make as many matches as possible, but we do apologize, as there just weren’t enough hours in the day to see you all. We will be writing some articles highlighting those that stood out to us while we were at their court watching. Drive Nation 17 Red Welcome to the “Pingdom”. This is the kind of atmosphere that Legendary coach Ping Cao generates when he went over from being a staple at TAV to the head coach of 17 Red. Last year this team was ready to prove themselves as an elite Open level team and they proved themselves time and time again Qualifying in the Open level multiple times. Then they went on a historic run through USA Nationals in Vegas to place second overall in the entire nation. This year they are proving that this was no fluke. They are once again on the warpath to show the volleyball world just how good they are.   The talent pool of the Triple Crown National Invitational Tournament was just the landscape they needed to put the 17’s age group across the nation on notice. This year they are out for blood. They have retooled their lineup with some new additions to their roster and are very deep. Their legendary coach has instilled some new techniques and lineup configurations that have made a huge difference in their play. The parents have added a feel to every match that creates intensity. The players play with so much confidence and swagger. Every match felt ELECTRIC when we watched.   <img class="size-medium wp-image-181437 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/02/Drive-Huddle.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" />They came out second from Power Pool A based on a tie breaker of point percentage after some brutal matches in which they only lost one to the well respected Coast team from Southern California. They won the next four Challenge matches in straight sets with very few issues. I was able to watch the Elite 8 matchup against their cross-town rivals TAV and the Semi-Final matchup against 1st Alliance out of Chicago. Both matches came down to the wire and there were some amazing moments in each set. What stood out was their resiliency during crunch time. In life there are lots of times you will fall. In big moments there are many times you will fail. But what truly matters is how you respond to those moments. I watched as this time took the best shots of some truly talented and deserving teams…and kept on fighting. This team showed lots of heart and should be congratulated for standing toe-to-toe with the best from around the nation to place second overall.   As always we could easily write about each player and their special contributions to the team’s success, but we will keep our “Most Outstanding Players” article to a select few that we wanted to highlight. We will be covering the rest of their athletes in future articles for sure as they are deserving of recognition because they are invaluable to their team. Stay tuned for those articles also.   [player_tooltip player_id="141120" first="Reese" last="Robins"] [2023] 6-5 Middle (HS: Mansfield Timberview/Club: Drive Nation/Verbal: Louisville) <img class="alignleft wp-image-181435" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/02/Reese-Serving-e1645659159443-300x280.jpg" alt="" width="238" height="222" /> Reese is currently listed as the 26th best prospect according to our Prep Dig State Rankings. She is the star of stars at Mansfield Timberview High School. The 8th best middle in the class was unstoppable at times running slides and quicks. Their court was surrounded by spectators and they were thoroughly entertained watching “Reese O Rob” shut down some of the best hitters in the nation with her stuff blocks. But what I loved the most watching her play is the swag that she has no matter what. Some players fold when the going gets tough, but Miss Robins is a gamer and shows up in star fashion during those moments. We have covered her career extensively and she is not done yet. The best is yet to come with this one because she will continue to master her craft.   [player_tooltip player_id="141133" first="Callie" last="Kieffer"] [2023] 5-10 Setter (HS: Prosper/Club: Drive Nation/Verbal: University of Alabama) Callie has made a huge splash in the 2023 Prep Dig State Rankings. She has moved up and we now have her listed as the 24th best prospect in the state. Callie runs the show in a six-two offense for Drive and also dishes the rock for Prosper High School. Don’t sleep on this kid, as her athleticism is sneaky good. It doesn’t matter whether the pass is in or out of system, as she will deliver the ball in pinpoint accurate fashion. She just led an offense that proved to be one of the best in the nation. I was thoroughly impressed with her overall skill-set watching her against the best of the best. This just proves how we have her ranked as the fourth best setter in her grad class.   [player_tooltip player_id="141131" first="Cecily" last="Gooch"] [2023] 6-2 Middle/Right Side (HS: Highland Park/Club: Drive Nation/Verbal: Michigan) Ceci is currently ranked as the 35th best prospect in the 2023 class according to our Prep Dig State Rankings. Miss Gooch stars at Highland Park HS. Miss Gooch moved over to the right side this past weekend and absolutely housed her opponents routinely. She used every bit of her six foot two frame to punish everyone that she faced this weekend. I loved how her blocks ignited such a fire for her team when they needed it the most. Ice water definitely runs through her veins as she looks so fired up when she plays. It was super fun to watch this future Wolverine do her thing. She will be a huge factor for them in whichever position they use her as she is one of the most versatile players in the age group.   [player_tooltip player_id="141633" first="Bailey" last="Miller"] [2022] 6-2 Outside (HS: Boles/Club: Drive Nation/Signed: West Virginia) <img class=" wp-image-179646 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/02/Bailey-Miller-serving.jpg" alt="" width="267" height="178" /> Miss Miller comes in as the 10th ranked prospect in the 2022 Class according to our Prep Dig State Rankings. She might be the best player to ever put on a Boles varsity jersey. The West Virginia commit subbed in at a crucial time during deciding third set in the Semis against 1st Alliance and put them away with some lethal shots. We are very high on this stud and she proved every word that we have written about her right with her play on the court. Some athletes show up when they want to. This kid shows up every single time her team needs her. Stay tuned for more on this star player.   [player_tooltip player_id="176656" first="Kea" last="Whillock"] [2023] 5-5 Libero (HS: Keller/Club: Drive Nation/Verbal: Uncommitted)<img class="alignleft wp-image-181434" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/02/Halle-Reese-Kea-e1645658974104-300x282.jpg" alt="" width="236" height="222" /> She is currently ranked as the 103rd best overall prospect in the 2023 class according to our Prep Dig State Rankings. She plays for Keller High School and for the up and coming Drive Nation volleyball program. This young lady was steady in the back row routinely passing nails against the best in the nation. I watched as she was in the right place at the right time for defense and kept many balls alive for her team during the rallies. I was very impressed with her composure during those crucial times when 17 Red was tested. This young lady showed out to all of the college coaches who were watching and definitely made a name for herself as I heard her name mentioned many times in the crowds I was in. She will definitely move up the rankings in our next update from what I saw in person.   Lauryn Hill [2023] 5-10 Outside (HS: Liberty/Club: Drive Nation/Verbal: University of Louisiana at Lafayette) Although currently unranked in our database, she is definitely on the watch list and deserves a spot with what I witnessed. This high flyer from Liberty High School rises up time and time again to deliver some ridiculous bombs from the left side. Every great hitter will get blocked from time to time as it is just part of the game when you face elite competition, but this kid kept going at her opponents regardless of the previous outcome of the swing. Scored time and time again with some very powerful swings. She has a bright future ahead of her at the next level. She had great command of her emotions and wanted the ball over and over. What is considered a little undersized at the position when you look at others in the position, this five foot ten dynamo can attack with the best of them. Stay tuned for more from the ULL commit. [player_tooltip player_id="141121" first="Halle" last="Schroder"] [2023] 6-1 Outside (HS: Reedy/Club: Drive Nation/Verbal: Uncommitted) <img class="size-medium wp-image-181433 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/02/Halle-Attacking-e1645658701533-255x300.jpg" alt="" width="255" height="300" /> Standing at 6 foot one this young lady showed up and showed out during the quarters and semis when her team needed it the most. I was super impressed with the pop she had on the ball from the left side. She has some serious bounce to her game and uses a strong upswing to get more air. She moved the ball around the block very well time and time again. There were times that she looked unstoppable in the Quarters and Semi-Finals. There is not a doubt in my mind that her name is floating around many college coaching conversations right now after what we all witnessed. This is exactly why she is ranked as the 38th best overall player in the 2023 class. Take a bow Miss Schroder. You played one heck of a tournament in my opinion.   As always stay tuned for more articles on your favorite athletes. If you have anyone you think we should watch out for, please shoot me an email with some info at nov8vb@yahoo.com. Also don’t forget to help these kids get more exposure by sharing our stories with your friends. Help us help them by simply retweeting on Twitter or sharing on Facebook. Thanks for following us, Prep Dig Texas Family! Don’t be afraid to interact with us. We love the likes, shares, and quotes/comments. Keep them coming!