USAV GJNC 15 Open Bronze Medalists – TAV 15 Black
USA Volleyball held it’s Girls Junior National Championships this past weekend in Indianapolis at the Indiana Convention Center. This is a very prestigious tournament in which teams actually had to earn their bid to play in it. The qualification process…
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Continue ReadingUSA Volleyball held it’s Girls Junior National Championships this past weekend in Indianapolis at the Indiana Convention Center. This is a very prestigious tournament in which teams actually had to earn their bid to play in it. The qualification process is super tough throughout the year and the best of the best rose to the top. Prep Dig was on hand to cover every serve, set, kill, and pass of the ball from start to finish. This next article is going to discuss the 15 Open Division Bronze Medalists… Texas Advantage Volleyball 15 Black.
The tournament field was super stacked with thirty-six of the best teams in the nation. Eight of those teams were from the great state of Texas. TAV 15 Black went into the tournament ranked as the 4th overall seed and aspirations to medal. They had very little trouble as they only lost one match on day one and two combined to come out first in their opening pool. It was more of the same as TAV won both of their matches in their day three pool. This set them up for a challenge match to get to the gold bracket against a very credible threat in Legacy 15-1 Adidas. TAV went on to win in straight sets (26-24, 25-11).
The Gold bracket was set and we expected this team to be there all season long. Their roster is riddled with talent and they play very well together. Their first matchup was against another formidable opponent in Coast 15-1 from California. I had watched this team earlier in the tourney and they looked dominant. TAV went on to win 25-17, 25-22). Their next matchup in the semifinals could have easily been the championship match according to everyone that knows the age group. Both teams have been the best 15’s team in the nation at times all year long. They were pitted against AZ Storm 15 Thunder. This was going to be a heavyweight slugfest for sure. TAV eventually fell to Storm (16-25, 23-25). Being named a bronze medalist and third overall in the nation is nothing to be ashamed of. It was the culmination of a wonderful year. This team is only getting started.
Although all of the players stood out for a variety of reasons, let’s meet a few of the players that stood out to me while I watched them be crowned the third best 15’s team in the nation.
Kennedy Washington Kennedy Washington 6'0" | MB Prestonwoood Christian Academy | 2024 State #115 Nation TX [2024] 6-0 Middle (HS: Red Oak/Club: Texas Advantage Volleyball/Verbal: Uncommitted)
We are proud to announce that we have added Kennedy to the State Rankings officially. She is currently ranked as the 22nd best overall prospect and the 8th best middle in the 2024 class according to our Prep Dig State Rankings. She plays for Red Oak high school and for the amazing Texas Advantage Volleyball program. This is not the first time we have profiled Miss Washington and it for sure won’t be the last. In one of the latest articles I wrote the following, “She is one of the best middles in the 2024 class. In this tourney no one even got close to slow down her slide attack. It was lethal and one of the best weapons that TAV 15 Black has in their arsenal. She hit a few balls and I thought they were going to put a hole in the ground as she demolished them. She will be a force for a long time in the age group.” Every time I watch Kennedy play, I am amazed at her natural talent and raw power. She is only going to get better with more experience too and that is scary for everyone that has to face her. The word dominant doesn’t even begin to describe how she plays in the middle position at this age group. As far as 15’s middles go, she is for sure one of the best in the nation.
Sarah Pfiffner Sarah Pfiffner 5'11" | S Wakeland | 2025 State TX [2025] 5-10 Setter/Right Side (HS: Wakeland/Club: Texas Advantage Volleyball/Verbal: Uncommitted)
Sarah plays for Wakeland High School and the nationally recognized Texas Advantage Volleyball program. She is currently ranked as the 43rd best overall prospect in the 2025 class according to our Prep Dig State Rankings. She was masterful when I watched her play at nationals. I love how she is not bothered by pressure and almost plays better when the going gets tough. Her ability to stay in the front row and be dominant at every aspect of the game is special. She has wonderful setting techniques and is very fundamentally sound. The ball almost floats out of her hands like a ghost is carrying it right to the attacker. Her location is on point every single time. She runs a phenomenal slide while moving out of system as well. Sarah’s setting was so phenomenal that she was named by USA Volleyball to the 15 Open All Tournament Team. This is just a start to her career and it could not have come at a better place in front of hundreds of college coaches and so many spectators from around the nation. Stay tuned for more from Sarah.
Madison Winkler Madison Winkler 5'5" | DS/L Keller | 2025 State TX [2025] 5-4 Libero (HS: Keller/Club: Texas Advantage Volleyball/Verbal: Uncommitted)
Miss Winkler is a stud libero that plays at Keller High School and also for the famed Texas Advantage Volleyball program out of the North Texas Region. She is currently ranked as the 37th best overall prospect and 5th best libero in the 2025 class according to our Prep Dig Texas State Rankings. I wrote an article on her back in December when I watched her team dominate at a tournament and here is a little from it, “This young lady has been on the path for greatness since she started playing volleyball at a young age. She has been a part of teams that have medaled at nationals before and is looking to help her current team do the same again this season. What I saw when I watched her play was someone who has a very high volleyball IQ and uses a relentless pursuit of the ball at all times. She is going to be another one of the many amazing liberos to go through the TAV program and star for them. Her touch on the ball is stellar in both serve receive and defense. I loved how fast her footwork is on the court and how balanced she is at the point of contact.” There is no doubt in my mind that there has to be a part of her brain that is missing when it comes to fear, because she fears no woman on the court. This young lady can flat out dig hard driven balls like they are nothing and it is so fun to watch. She is able to pass/dig with her hands when it comes to balls that are hit overhead and it is still not a problem for Miss Winkler. We will be watching her play for the next few years and are super excited at her potential to get better and better.
Audrey Jackson Audrey Jackson 5'11" | OH Flower Mound | 2025 State #125 Nation TX [2025] 5-11 Outside (HS: Flower Mound/Club: Texas Advantage Volleyball/Verbal: Uncommitted)
Miss Jackson plays volleyball at Flower Mound High School and for the famed Texas Advantage Volleyball program. She is currently ranked as the 23rd best overall prospect in the 2025 class according to our Prep Dig Texas State Rankings. We wrote about her previously way back in December and here is a little from the article, “She is a special six-rotation outside attacker who unleashes bombs on her opponents. She is an accomplished beach player, which showcases her overall ball control in every aspect of the game. I loved watching her play in the tourney and she showed just how good she can be. She played a lot on Varsity as a freshman this past season with a stacked Flower Mound team. This young lady can not only hit with power both line and angle from the pin, but she is a stud who often comes in for a second tempo attack out of the middle and scores toward the corners like a season veteran. The sky is the limit with this one.” She has been working hard and improving all club season. Miss Jackson has surely made a name for herself and has a lot of coaches talking about her skill level. She was named by USA Volleyball to the 15 Open All Tournament Team due to her amazing play on the court. There is no doubt that she will be moving up the rankings when I update them in a few weeks.
And 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 Prep Dig Family!