Ten Triple Crown NIT Teams to Follow in March
March is here, and there are so many more big tournaments to follow this month. In order to get us primed for March, though, let’s take a quick look back at February. Triple Crown NIT was obviously a big focal…
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Continue ReadingMarch is here, and there are so many more big tournaments to follow this month. In order to get us primed for March, though, let’s take a quick look back at February.
Triple Crown NIT was obviously a big focal point of our club coverage last month, and there were countless teams in Kansas City that we’ll have our eye on for the rest of the season. I wanted to go through just a handful in this feature.
So, be sure to keep tabs on these Triple Crown top performers as we advance into the make-or-break stages of the 2022 club season.
Milwaukee Sting 16 Gold
I tabbed 16 Gold as a team to watch heading into Triple Crown, and they certainly delivered on the hype. After drawing many eyes in Kansas City, this Sting team just finished up a runner-up placement at the Badger Region Qualifier. They’ll look to gain more momentum heading into the region championships in a few weeks.
@sting_gold keeps building on a strong Saturday! pic.twitter.com/On9KgL3D4X
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) February 20, 2022
OT 16 T Jason
16 T Jason was one of several breakout teams from the OTVA camp at Triple Crown. This squad swept through every opponent they played before falling in the Elite semifinals. Anna Adcock is a reliable scorer at the middle blocker spot, and Taylor Parks is as skilled as they come at setter.
@OTVAvolleyball 16 T Jason scores a big win over A5! What a way to start off the day. #TCVolleyballNIT pic.twitter.com/FXdGNOxsJY
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) February 21, 2022
Legacy 15-1 Adidas
It was hard not to be captivated by the size and physicality that Legacy put on the floor in the 15s division. 2025 setter Campbell Flynn had one spectacular performance after another in Kansas City, and Gabriella DiVita is already staking an early claim as one of the best outside hitters in the Class of 2026. The future is bright.
@az_stormvbc and @LegacyLvc are delivering some really great volleyball in the 15s division.
Plenty of athletes to put on your radar heading into the future! #TCVolleyballNIT pic.twitter.com/iA8QdlxRfN
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) February 20, 2022
Houston Juniors 17 Elite
I’ve now seen 17 Elite in Omaha and Kansas City over the past several weeks, and this team is definitely on the upswing. Their exciting corps of pin hitters includes Bianna Muoneke (Texas A&M) and Cindy Tchouangwa (Rice), so the firepower is certainly there.
Adidas KIVA 15 Red
This team represents the “next in line” at KIVA, and there are a lot of great athletes and future leaders on this team. Addison Makun had a particularly good showing in Kansas City and is joined by two other solid middle blockers in Elise Hart and Bailey Blair.
Third set incoming!@KIVAVB 15 Red and @MADFROGVBALL 15’s N Green are playing for the right to advance in the Elite bracket. #TCVolleyballNIT pic.twitter.com/Hc7rNRjidl
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) February 21, 2022
Club V 18 Ren Reed
This team fits the same mold as HJV 17 Elite; they’ve taken a considerable step forward between NLQ in Omaha and Triple Crown NIT. Pitt commit Rachel Jepsen just keeps thriving in the middle, while the Weber State-bound duo of Saane Katoa and Brielle Rueckert will put up several more standout performances before the year is done.
Sunshine 17 LA
This team’s potential is unreal. The combination of Grace Thrower and Olivia Babcock produced so many eye-popping moments in Kansas City, and this team clearly has the fire and passion to become one of California’s top 17s competitors.
SG Elite 16 Roshambo
We’re staying in California for this next one. San Gabriel Elite got plenty of excitement out of their 16s team in Kansas City, and there are several athletes worth following on the roster. Setter Taylor Yu is the lifeblood of this team with her high-energy play, and Deanna Dollar does it all from the left pin.
Tri-State Elite 18 Blue
This team left no doubt about their elite status after Triple Crown NIT. Their top-three finish in Kansas City was fueled by a bevy of high-flying attackers, including Lucy Trump and Maggie Butkovich.
Houston Skyline 15 Royal
15 Royal is an intimidating bunch that uses every bit of their size and physicality to their advantage. Ella Lewis is such a well-rounded outside hitter for this team, while Morgan Madison does spectacular defensive work in the libero jersey.