Expanding the GJNC 16 Open All-Tournament Team

Let's make a few picks of our own. In case you missed it, we just discussed the group of incredible athletes that were selected to <a href="https://prepdig.com/2022/07/breaking-down-the-16-open-all-tournament-team/">GJNC's 16 Open all-tournament team</a>. Those players were selected from teams that reached the Round of 8 and battled for a division championship on the event's final day. Time to bend those restrictions a bit. Among all the deserving players that were given all-tournament honors, there were countless more athletes outside the Gold bracket who put together eye-popping performances throughout the weekend. So, we're going to pile on to the 16 Open all-tournament team to create a (very large) super team. Here's a breakdown of some all-tournament-worthy performers who frequently stole the show in Indy.   The Metro Duo You can talk about one without mentioning the other. They're just that good. The Metro outside hitter tandem of [player_tooltip player_id="180288" first="Emerson" last="Sellman"] and [player_tooltip player_id="181296" first="Macaria" last="Spears"] built on an outstanding season by dazzling us one more time in Indy. Having to deal with one of these hitters in the frontcourt at all times seems unfair. Sellman and Spears led Metro 16 Travel to a perfect overall record in Round 1 pools before falling just short in a daunting second-round group that featured Dynasty and OTVA. A busy month continues for these two, as Sellman and Spears join the USAV U19 training team in Tulsa for a chance at making the squad's final roster. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Here's a 2025 outside hitter that has already captured a lot of attention. [player_tooltip player_id="181296" first="Macaria" last="Spears"] helped lead Metro 16 Travel to a 3-0 record yesterday and looks dialed in already this morning. <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/GJNC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GJNC</a> <a href="https://t.co/c4gvJOLbXx">pic.x.com/c4gvJOLbXx</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1543220365199085569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   Already Committed We're just shy of a month into the open recruitment period for the Class of 2024, and the list of college-committed athletes from this class is still an exclusive one. Even still, that small group of players still managed to make a big impression at GJNC. In my <a href="https://prepdig.com/2022/06/opening-day-matchups-to-follow-in-16-open-at-usav-nationals/">16 Open GJNC preview</a>, I discussed the impending matchup between Nebraska commits on the opening day of pools. That match certainly delivered, and so did the future Cornhuskers on both sides of the net. [player_tooltip player_id="119707" first="Skyler" last="Pierce"] of Dynasty 16 Black put her six-rotation skills on display en route to a top-three finish at GJNC. Aside from her physicality and high contact point at the net, Pierce has demonstrated a lot of maturity through her smart shot selection and willingness to take on a major serve receive role. Those traits will undoubtedly be coveted at the next level with the Cornhuskers. Pierce's fellow Cornhusker commit in 16 Open, [player_tooltip player_id="155117" first="Ayden" last="Ames"], put her wicked arm on display once again for TAV 16 Black. She can hit just about any frontcourt attacking pattern imaginable and has shined as a middle and opposite for TAV this year. Ames and Pierce are sure to produce a lot more memorable moments both in club venues and in the Big Ten. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Here's your future <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/Huskers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Huskers</a> snapshot with <a href="https://x.com/dynastyvbc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dynastyvbc</a> and <a href="https://x.com/TAVVolleyball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TAVVolleyball</a> facing off in 16 Open at GJNC. [player_tooltip player_id="119707" first="Skyler" last="Pierce"] and [player_tooltip player_id="155117" first="Ayden" last="Ames"] meet across the net after both just committed to <a href="https://x.com/Huskervball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Huskervball</a>. <a href="https://t.co/GRKFXwzWWZ">pic.x.com/GRKFXwzWWZ</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1542932675526262784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   Speaking of Big Ten-bound players, USC commit [player_tooltip player_id="206148" first="Brooklyn" last="Tealer"] had a standout weekend on the left side for Gainesville Juniors (still letting this conference realignment sink in). Her range on the pin was among the best we saw in 16 Open competition last weekend. The Women of Troy have to be thrilled to see Tealer make the cross-country trip to SoCal for college ball. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> [player_tooltip player_id="206148" first="Brooklyn" last="Tealer"] has been absolutely teeing off for Gainesville Jrs. this morning. The Class of 2024 outside hitter is already committed to play in the Big Ten with <a href="https://x.com/uscwomensvolley?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@uscwomensvolley</a>. (There, I said it!) <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/GJNC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GJNC</a> <a href="https://t.co/TKBmirWa70">pic.x.com/TKBmirWa70</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1542869467381768192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   And the list just goes on for the Big Ten. Triangle 16 Black middle blocker Ashlyn Philpot showed the kind of quickness and length that she will bring to Illinois at the next level. Likewise, future Wisconsin setter [player_tooltip player_id="162772" first="Charlie" last="Fuerbringer"] continued to show her well-rounded game as the unquestioned leader for Mizuno Long Beach's quick offense. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Pool 6's top seed makes a statement!<a href="https://x.com/IlliniVBall?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IlliniVBall</a> commit Ashlyn Philpot puts away match point to give Triangle 16 Black a huge win over Long Beach. <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/GJNC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GJNC</a> <a href="https://t.co/Rd9LAKar3p">pic.x.com/Rd9LAKar3p</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1543268526697455618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> So here's a crucial Pool 6 matchup that's just getting started: Mizuno Long Beach and Triangle squaring off. Top two seeds in the group. Great feed from [player_tooltip player_id="162772" first="Charlie" last="Fuerbringer"] to Bryn Shankle for <a href="https://x.com/MizunoLongBeach?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MizunoLongBeach</a>. <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/GJNC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GJNC</a> <a href="https://t.co/IkDBNV9Rnj">pic.x.com/IkDBNV9Rnj</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1543254224775028737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   Of course, the Big Ten isn't the only conference getting in on the commitment party. A5 Mizuno's Hannah Benjamin announced her pledge to 2020 national champion Kentucky immediately after GJNC concluded. The SEC-bound outside hitter was certainly due for this kind of reward after she put together one of the best GJNC weekends we saw from a left-side hitter.   Around the Map Naturally, USAV Nationals is a good way to showcase talent from every corner of the United States. I want to point out a few more players from all around the map that had performances worthy of recognition. [player_tooltip player_id="178685" first="Jessica" last="Jones"] is a name worth dropping here. Texas players usually have no problem standing out on the national stage, but Jones' ascent with Flyers helps demonstrate the incredible depth of the Lone Star State. Don't lose sight of this middle blocker in the huge pool of Texas talent. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> [player_tooltip player_id="178685" first="Jessica" last="Jones"] is doing work off one foot this morning. Such an agile middle for Frisco Flyers at <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/GJNC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GJNC</a>. <a href="https://x.com/PrepDigTX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrepDigTX</a> <a href="https://t.co/5TR87nVC39">pic.x.com/5TR87nVC39</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1542862846945533953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   Let's swing over to California now. Vision 16 Gold had a nice showing in Indy, and outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id="161032" first="Taylor" last="Williams"] was a huge part of that. She consistently had all-tournament-caliber moments in the tight matches that 16 Gold frequently found itself in. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> A three-set battle goes to <a href="https://x.com/VisionVBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VisionVBC</a> 16 Gold on Court 32! [player_tooltip player_id="161032" first="Taylor" last="Williams"] comes up clutch again. So many tight contests and upsets to discuss in 16 Open, and we're just getting started at <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/GJNC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GJNC</a>. <a href="https://t.co/ZfKHqzqXMM">pic.x.com/ZfKHqzqXMM</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1542882552746221569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   Also looming large on the west coast is [player_tooltip player_id="161767" first="Haylee" last="LaFontaine"] from Seal Beach 16 Black. If you were naming an all-tournament team based on versatility and wide-ranging impact, LaFontaine is a must-have on your list. Not only did she elevate well on the left pin, but her jump spin serve gave passers fits throughout the event. Why not throw out a few more names from the Great Plains? KC Power 16-1's phenomenal floor defense stood out once again, and it has multiple key contributors in the backcourt. [player_tooltip player_id="119694" first="Mya" last="Bolton"] and [player_tooltip player_id="119708" first="Rachel" last="Van Gorp"] were as good as any libero in 16 Open last weekend, and having them together along the end line is quite a luxury. Keep traveling east to find more athletes who made a big statement at GJNC. [player_tooltip player_id="201026" first="Juleigh" last="Urbina"] is still the same showstopping setter we saw during the grind of qualifier season. The OT 16 O Roberto leader helps keep everything within that team flowing, and we can expect big things from that group next year.