Breaking Down the 16 Open All-Tournament Team

Among all the incredible talent we saw in 16 Open at GJNC, these players were deemed by many to be the best of the best. After the dust settled on 16 Open competition and the national championship had been awarded to MADFROG 16’s N Green, many of the division’s top players were called to the podium to accept all-tournament awards from USAV. I was lucky enough to follow 16 Open from beginning to end in Indy, and I’ve compiled a few thoughts and memories of my own from this group of honorees. So, here’s a breakdown of the all-tournament selections from 16 Open.   The Ferocious Frontcourt In the realm of attackers, the 16 Open all-tournament team has a little bit of everything. [caption id="attachment_206901" align="alignright" width="315"]<img class="wp-image-206901" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/07/Lainee-Pyles-e1657068104821-258x300.jpg" alt="" width="315" height="367" /> Pyles attacks in the GJNC 16 Open championship match.[/caption] What better player to start this discussion than the division’s most valuable player, [player_tooltip player_id="124144" first="Lainee" last="Pyles"] of MADFROG. This athlete has the frame and physicality to play just about any frontcourt position, but her impact at GJNC was felt as a six-rotation left-side hitter. Pyles thrives within the 16’s N Green offense and can terminate on a variety of crossing patterns and combination plays. Her emergence in Indianapolis undoubtedly had a huge impact in lifting another Texas team to the top of the podium. Also part of the MADFROG representation on the 16 Open all-tournament team is [player_tooltip player_id="124100" first="Avery" last="Jackson"], who firmly cemented her standing as one of the most well-rounded volleyball players in the 2024 class. Not only is Jackson incredibly difficult to stop as an outside attacker, but her unflappable passing anchored 16’s N Green’s serve receive since the season began in January. It’s no wonder why this elite talent has already made her pledge to play beach volleyball at Stanford. GJNC 16 Open runner-up, A5 Mizuno 16-Gabe, adds another formidable frontcourt phenom to the fray. Middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id="201014" first="Logan" last="Wiley"] was A5’s first, second, and third option when the offense was in system, and there’s a good reason for it. Her sky-high contact point yielded countless over-the-top attacks that negated even well-formed blocks. Wiley’s inclusion on the all-tournament team is a no-brainer. We also get a good amount of offensive firepower from the division’s semifinalists. The Dynasty duo of outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id="119226" first="Carlie" last="Cisneros"] and middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id="201027" first="Jada" last="Ingram"] had a breakout showing that landed both on the all-tournament team. Cisneros has always been a key contributor for 16 Black regardless of rotation, while Ingram took another leap forward in Indy with her unstoppable quickness on gap plays and slides. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Speaking of prior championship matches, here’s the Triple Crown NIT 16s championship rematch between <a href="https://x.com/dynastyvbc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dynastyvbc</a> and <a href="https://x.com/NKYVC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NKYVC</a>. Dynasty came in to <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/GJNC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GJNC</a> as the top overall seed. NKYVC hasn’t lost this weekend. Only one can advance. <a href="https://t.co/pBcjlUuBdU">pic.x.com/pBcjlUuBdU</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1543930272739196928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   On the other side of the 16 Open bracket, Premier Nebraska 16 Gold got an all-tournament entry from outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id="109585" first="Lauren" last="Medeck"]. What a comeback story. Long considered one of Nebraska’s top prospects in the 2024 class, Medeck was absent from the 16 Gold throughout the season while recovering from an injury. She returned just in time for the final event of the year and did not skip a beat in leading Premier Nebraska to the 16 Open podium. Incredible. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> For my Nebraska folks: [player_tooltip player_id="109585" first="Lauren" last="Medeck"] is BACK 😤 <a href="https://x.com/Premier16_G?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Premier16_G</a>. <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/GJNC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GJNC</a> <a href="https://t.co/zr8sdaCsYG">pic.x.com/zr8sdaCsYG</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1542873288002641923?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   1st Alliance also brings some pin-hitting strength to the all-tournament team with [player_tooltip player_id="135950" first="Grace" last="Nelson"]. This attacker stood out for her ability to read opposing blockers and hammer seams with authority. If quick arms are your thing, be sure to keep following Nelson’s progress in fall ball. I surely will. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> How about another third set? [player_tooltip player_id="135950" first="Grace" last="Nelson"] crushes set point to send <a href="https://x.com/1stAllianceVBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@1stAllianceVBC</a> into a third with Sting! <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/GJNC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GJNC</a> <a href="https://t.co/o258uOlZfl">pic.x.com/o258uOlZfl</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1543615469520932864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   Jayda Redd is the Top Select 16 Elite Blue representative of the all-tournament team. There were so many intriguing storylines to follow with this team, and Redd’s effortless elevation on the left pin is definitely something to keep in mind moving forward. Finally, NKYVC’s [player_tooltip player_id="107399" first="Julia" last="Hunt"] adds to her list of accolades with her selection to this talented group. Few who have followed 16-1 Tsunami this year will be surprised by the inclusion. Hunt’s dominance has been awesome to watch this year, and her team will find any way to get this middle blocker the ball in clutch spots. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Still perfect!<a href="https://x.com/NKYVC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NKYVC</a> 16-1 Tsunami sweeps through its Sunday pool and builds on an undefeated weekend. Nice designed first-ball play to MB [player_tooltip player_id="107399" first="Julia" last="Hunt"] on the left. <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/GJNC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GJNC</a> <a href="https://t.co/hyj4hEqddq">pic.x.com/hyj4hEqddq</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1543618686149431298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   Setting the Standard I’m pleased to say that the setter position was represented well in the all-tournament team. [caption id="attachment_206900" align="alignright" width="315"]<img class="wp-image-206900" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/07/Carson-Eickenloff-setting-e1657067992779-251x300.jpg" alt="" width="315" height="377" /> Eickenloff sets in the GJNC 16 Open championship match.[/caption] MADFROG’s trio of honorees is complete with [player_tooltip player_id="142203" first="Carson" last="Eickenloff"], a setter who has left no doubt about her ability to lead 16’s N Green in all six rotations. Her distribution in Indy was phenomenal, and she flawless executes those combination plays we mentioned earlier. Eickenloff’s ascent will be fun to follow in the ultra-competitive environment we always expect in Texas. [player_tooltip player_id="135954" first="Ellie" last="White"] is another talented 5-1 setter who was given all-tournament honors. This is one of several setters in 16 Open who also has experience as a pin hitter, so you can be assured that White’s physicality at the net will never be a liability. 1st Alliance should expect to be back on this big stage next year. Fittingly, we also have a nod to a 6-2 system on this team. A5 Mizuno’s Cooper Abney and Isa Boyd both received all-tournament recognition for their roles in leading 16-Gabe’s lethal two-setter offense. The seamless transitions between Abney and Boyd were pivotal in sparking a runner-up finish for this Georgia squad.   Backing Up the Backcourt Don’t forget the liberos! The 16 Open all-tournament team features a pair of backcourt specialists who had a flashy season finale at GJNC. [player_tooltip player_id="201021" first="Ella" last="Vogel"] held down the end line for Colorado Juniors 16-Sherri en route to the team’s appearance in the Gold bracket. Good passing was an important component in 16-Sherri’s success, and Vogel was always around to deliver it. And, as a Nebraska native, it was exciting to see [player_tooltip player_id="104984" first="Faith" last="Frame"]’s outstanding season culminate in an all-tournament selection. Her defensive instincts stand out among her peers, and that helped Premier Nebraska rally to an extraordinary run of successful events to end the 2022 season.