Scouting USAV Nationals Favorites: 17 Open
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Our feature series on favorites is now focusing on the 17s. After recently wrapping up our look at some dark horse USAV Nationals picks in 17, 16, and 15 Open, we’ve shifted our scope to the squads that will be…
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Continue ReadingOur feature series on favorites is now focusing on the 17s.
After recently wrapping up our look at some dark horse USAV Nationals picks in 17, 16, and 15 Open, we’ve shifted our scope to the squads that will be popular picks in Indianapolis. These favorites have shown the firepower needed to play championship-level volleyball, and that has been backed up by this year’s results. Let this series serve as a refresher on why these teams are near the top of the pack.
With 16 Open already covered, it’s time to get a glimpse at 17 Open. The intrigue here will be immense.
Circle City 17 Purple
Welcome back to the feature series, Circle City.
No one can doubt 17 Purple’s frontrunner status heading into Nationals. The team has accumulated a laundry list of tournament championships this year, including NEQ, Bluegrass, and Central Zone.
Chloe Chicoine Chloe Chicoine 5'9" | OH McCutcheon | 2023 State #1 Nation IN , our #2-ranked overall prospect in the Class of 2023, keeps rising to the occasion week after week. The power and range she brings to the left pin are almost unmatched, and her unflappable passing makes her well-suited for the next level. Chicoine is accompanied on the left side by Ava Smith Ava Smith 6'1" | OH Park Tudor | 2023 State #121 Nation IN , a Florida Gulf Coast commit who has really been catching fire in recent events.
There are plenty of other x-factors on this team, too. Macy Hinshaw Macy Hinshaw 5'9" | S Hamilton Southeastern | 2024 State #75 Nation IN is a skilled 2024 setter that I recently discussed in my playing-up series. Staying on the ball control side, libero Molly Urban Molly Urban 5'4" | DS/L Martinsville | 2023 State #122 Nation IN has helped lock down the backcourt this season. Ella Hemmings Ella Hemmings 5'6" | DS/L Brownsburg | 2023 State IN and Macy Bruton Macy Bruton 5'11" | DS/L Crawfordsville | 2023 State IN can also come in to contribute in that area. Finally, the middle blocker duo of Ella Chapman Ella Chapman 6'3" | MB Greensburg | 2023 State IN and Emily Waddell Emily Waddell 6'0" | MB Carmel | 2023 State #137 Nation IN round out the team’s stifling defense with some great blocking technique and intimidating size.
1st Alliance 17 Gold
This team looked like a USAV Nationals favorite way back in January. Nothing has changed.
January, of course, brought some of the Midwest’s best 17s teams to Omaha for the Northern Lights Qualifier. This was a great tournament field, but 1st Alliance still swept everybody. That flawless weekend still stands out as one of the most remarkable performances of the 2022 season, and 17 Gold has not slowed down since then.
On the left pin, Kennedy Wagner Kennedy Wagner OH Valporaiso (IN) | 2023 IN and Grace Egan Grace Egan 6'1" | OH Sterling | 2023 State #41 Nation IL have shown a new gear this year. They’re both reliable contributors in all six rotations, generate a lot of perfect passes, and are incredibly low-error when attacking. When 1st Alliance needs a sideout, look for the left sides.
Let’s slide over to the right pin. Kamryn Chaney Kamryn Chaney 6'0" | OH Marist | 2023 State #79 Nation IL has quickly established herself as one of the most dominant blocking opposites in the 17s division. She has denied so many opposing left-side hitters this year, with most of those blocks going straight down. It also doesn’t hurt that Kamryn Lee-Caracci Kamryn Lee-Caracci 6'3" | RS Lyons-Township | 2023 State #72 Nation IL and Annie Eschenbach Annie Eschenbach MB Benet Academy | 2023 State IL are always there to help out from the middle.
That’s a lot of talk about attackers, but ball control will always be a strength for 1st Alliance. Gigi Navarrete Gigi Navarrete 5'6" | DS/L Mother McAuley | 2023 State #18 Nation IL is one of the most energetic, vocal liberos in the 17s game, and Jordan Heatherly is a natural leader at setter. Put all that together, and I’d expect 17 Gold to be in the championship hunt once again.
Drive Nation 17-Red
You always have to stop and watch when Drive Nation 17-Red is in the gym.
I can recall that being the case at Triple Crown NIT, where 17-Red drew a lot of interest from spectators. Perhaps it’s the high-flying Texas talent that is so popular, as this team has one of the most physical rosters on the 17 Open circuit.
Drive Nation is at its best when the offense is running through the middle blockers. Reese Robins Reese Robins 6'5" | MB Timberview | 2023 State #15 Nation TX and Leah Ford Leah Ford 6'2" | MB Keller | 2023 State #59 Nation TX are so electric at that position, even as they bring slightly different styles to the floor. If the ball isn’t going to these two, it’s a safe bet that Bailey Miller and Halle Schroder Halle Schroder 6'1" | OH Reedy | 2023 State TX will pick up the slack on the outside.
17-Red will not hesitate to deploy a two-setter system with Callie Kieffer Callie Kieffer 5'10" | S Prosper | 2023 State #199 Nation TX and Lily Nicholson Lily Nicholson 5'10" | S McKinney North | 2023 State TX leading the charge from the backcourt. This allows Drive Nation to flex its wealth of pin talent even more. At opposite, you’ll see any combination of Cecily Gooch Cecily Gooch 6'3" | MB Highland Park | 2023 State #183 Nation TX , Samantha Hoppes Samantha Hoppes 6'1" | RS Byron Nelson | 2023 State TX , and Nicole Mauser Nicole Mauser 6'3" | RS Highland Park | 2023 State TX . Regardless of which right-side permutation is deployed, 17-Red will always have the size and strength to dominate at the net in true Texas fashion.
Legacy 17-1 Adidas
Here’s another group with a proven track record that spans well before the 2022 season.
Needless to say, Legacy 17-1 Adidas will not be intimidated by the big stage of USAV Nationals. This squad recently punctuated a successful qualifier run with a championship at our own Prep Dig Open in Cleveland. Even with a couple of players out due to injury, Legacy remained sharp.
Outside hitter Harper Murray Harper Murray 6'2" | OH Skyline | 2023 State #2 Nation MI claimed the top spot in our new 2023 rankings, and that has a lot to do with her extraordinary ability to do everything at a high level. She sees the block well, terminates with impunity, and will not shy away from taking on serve receive duties.
Other attackers on this team have found their stride. Cincinnati commit Nina Horning Nina Horning 6'5" | OH Lake Orion | 2023 State #50 Nation MI has a heavy swing that does particularly well when hitting crosscourt. Middle blocker Laurece Abraham Laurece Abraham 6'1" | MB Country Day | 2023 State #111 Nation MI ‘s expanding role in the team’s offense has also been a welcomed sight, as she can terminate effectively on the “slow-quicks” in front of setter Erin Kline Erin Kline 6'2" | S Mercy | 2023 State #123 Nation MI . When the whole machine is humming, 17-1 Adidas has one of the most lethal offenses in this division.
It’s all @LegacyLvc 17-1 Adidas in 17 Open!#PDTheOpen champs! pic.twitter.com/xpS7PGYOob
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) May 1, 2022
COAST 17-1
Going back to Cali.
When COAST 17-1 is bringing the heat, watch out. This California squad can compete with anyone, and we’ve seen that at several events this year. A championship at Red Rock in early April suggests that COAST may be producing its best volleyball late in the season.
BYU commit Claire Little has always loomed large for this team. Her physical frame allows her to hit with great power in the frontcourt, but she has also developed some savvy back row skills, too. Milan Bayless and Jillian Neal have each had their own moments in the spotlight on the left, while Noemie Glover Noemie Glover 6'1" | RS Cathedral Catholic | 2023 State #128 Nation CA consistently locks down the right pin.
COAST also boasts a pair of setters that have been major contributors this year. I’ve seen plenty from both Zoe Rachow Zoe Rachow 5'11" | S Otay Ranch | 2023 State #141 Nation CA and Tehya Maeva, and the team doesn’t skip a beat when transitioning between either setter. It also helps that COAST has standout defensive specialists like Sydney Bold Sydney Bold 5'7" | DS/L Bishops | 2023 State #166 Nation CA and Brooklyn Yelland Brooklyn Yelland 5'8" | OH Laguna Beach | 2023 State CA to consistently deliver the ball on target.
A5 Mizuno 17-Jing
Don’t forget about the Triple Crown NIT champs.
It was a privilege to watch A5 Mizuno 17-Jing’s journey to the top in Kansas City. Since then, the team has added podium finishes at Sunshine and Central Zone.
This A5 group has fascinated me for a long time, and now we’re seeing its players rounding into form in 2022. Jurnee Robinson Jurnee Robinson 6'0" | OH Mauldin | 2023 #16 Nation SC absolutely took Kansas City by storm this year and dazzled us all with her incredible athleticism. Likewise, Ashley Sturzoiu Ashley Sturzoiu 6'0" | OH Buford | 2023 #82 Nation GA has been a hype machine on the left side and brings some serious heat to match her positive energy.
Milana Thornton and Iyanna Garvin have compiled some great showings at middle blocker. This has also allowed Jadyn Garcia to thrive at opposite and make some eye-popping plays from that position. Distributing the ball to all these excellent options will be key to A5’s success in Indy.
Setter Rebecca Watkins has also been a revelation this year. She is physical enough to get some right-side hitter duties added to her docket, too. Meanwhile, Arya Jue ties everything together at libero and ensures that positive first contacts will let 17-Jing flourish.
@a5volleyball 17-Jing finds Triple Crown glory again. #TCVolleyballNIT pic.twitter.com/WO0vZYfFQN
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) February 21, 2022