Lone Star Classic 18 USA: Texas Team Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The USA division is stacked with talent from all over the nation. The Lone Star Classic is one of the premier qualifiers in the country, and it is a hard one to win. Below are 4 Texas teams who have a good shot of keeping the first-place trophy in Texas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Can a Houston Team Bring it Home?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAV Houston 18 Adidas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TAV Houston 18 Adidas has an intense pool for day 1. But with their stacked roster for this season, offensively they have a lot of weapons. Setter<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='254258' first='Lauren' last='Greene'] </strong>who is a 5A State Semi-Finalist is new to the team this season. I love her soft touch and explosive jump set. She has excellent connections with her hitters, especially outsides <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='141246' first='Gracie' last='Campbell']</strong> and <strong>Olivia Waggoner</strong>. Defensively they are talented as well with 5A All-Star Team Member libero <strong>Ava Martindale</strong>. They also picked up outside hitter <strong>Makenzie Weddel</strong>, a great passer and defender. If TAV Houston 18 Adidas will secure the bid, they will have to rely on their versatility on offense and great passing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AVA 18 Adidas</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>AVA 18 Adidas has already secured the USA bid last weekend at Windy City. This is a well-rounded team with a lot of unspoken connections. Their big 3 offensive contributors are middle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='181367' first='Kaitlyn' last='Gotsch']</strong>, outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='87551' first='Devyn' last='Lewis']</strong>, and <strong>Carissa Young</strong>. Gotsch is a monster on the net. She is a superior blocker and is a real game-changer when the game is tight. Six rotation outside [player_tooltip player_id='87551' first='Devyn' last='Lewis'] has been the heart of this team for a while and now surrounded by an excellent cast of teammates she is performing well. Right side Carissa Young loves a challenge and can put up a big block against opposing outside hitters. AVA is coming off a big win, and they could easily carry that over to this weekend and double-qualify before the month is over.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Tejas 18 Black's Outsides Could Steal The Show</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>State Finalist <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='141116' first='Sydney' last='Garrison']</strong> heads up the offense of the high-powered squad. The outside hitter brings energy and sways the tide of the game with one powerful swing. The 6 rotation hitter is good all the way around and is especially good in serve receive. Setter/right-side hitter <strong>Sophie Chambers</strong> is back heading the offense. The recent Seattle Pacific commit has a nice jump set and a quick release. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='153299' first='Madison' last='Parrish']</strong> is an explosive outside who is so fun to watch. Her elevation and extension on her swing are incredible, and she has an aggressive snap on the ball. Both of Tejas's outsides are aggressive, athletic, and tide changers that could create momentum and secure the bid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[program_tooltip program_id='431254' first='San' last='Antonio Juniors'] 18 Adidas is on a Hot Streak</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior outside hitter <strong>Kelli Fording </strong>could be a huge playmaker this weekend and a factor in her team's success. She has had experience in high-pressure playing situations after O'Connor's incredible high school season. Monster middle <strong>India Gantt</strong> has been playing lights out lately. Her presence at the net is unmatched and she plays with confidence. Setter <strong>Kendra Grimm</strong> has a great connection with her middle hitters and is a huge reason for the team's hot streak. She is also an excellent defender and works to keep the ball in play. Rounding out a solid offense is outside <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='195824' first='Kitana' last='Tuufuli']</strong>, who is intimidating at the net and has a heavy arm. If [program_tooltip program_id='431254' first='San' last='Antonio Juniors'] 18 Adidas can get their middles going, and play to their strength which is blocking, they could give opposing teams a lot of trouble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->