Champions Report: Dakine 17 Surf & WVBA 16 Adidas

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Multiple teams from the state of Washington took home first-place trophies at tournaments over the Presidents Day weekend holiday. To start a series highlighting some big-time wins, we dive into two teams that traveled to the Midwest and brought home the champion's trophies. Both teams competed in the highest division and took out traditional club volleyball powers to secure wins.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DAKINE 17 SURF: 17 Open, Presidents Day Classic, St. Louis, MO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["245154"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f9994da1598"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Byers was terrific all weekend long working as a right side and a setter for the Warriors. At 6'2, running the middle to 6'3 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='230155' first='Danielle' last='Brown'] </strong>or<strong> </strong>6'4 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='246357' first='Tea' last='Bosnac'] </strong>becomes virtually unstoppable. Against Rev in the finals, Byers worked to establish her middles early and often, then went on the attack with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='259676' first='Lydia' last='Ward']</strong> running the offense as the other setter in the 6-2. Ward is tough and smart and found her hitters in favorable matchups throughout the match. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["251026"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f9994da15eb"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dakine has incredible depth on the roster working in multiple attackers along the front line and rotating defenders in the back row during a match. One exception is libero Nguyen. A 2026 prospect who is among the best in the state, Nguyen refuses to let a ball drop without a fight. She covered a tip, sprawling out and bouncing it off her own player's knee before another Dakine defender put it over to keep a rally alive. Second ball setting comes easy, either off her platform or accurately using her hands. She fed Byers on the right side for kills along with lefty <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245155' first='Bridget' last='Woodruff']</strong>. Woodruff was aggressive all weekend and was taking huge terminal swings from the right side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["230155"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f9994da1633"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown owned the middle over the weekend, showing off quick reactions, a strong attack from multiple locations, and her calling card the monster stuff block. As she continues to develop her pace on attacks just keeps increasing, and that's bad news for opponents of the future Santa Clara Bronco. Rev put the pressure on Dalkine, using excellent serving and off-speed shots to try to keep the Warriors off balance. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='259677' first='Brooklyn' last='Hayes']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='230156' first='Grace' last='Wesenburg'] </strong>did outstanding jobs in the back row and serve receive to get the offense back on track. Wesenburg and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='179383' first='Sophie' last='Danielson'] </strong>provided the punch from the outside spots, with Wesenburg jumping out of the gym and Danielson ripping swings with authority. The match ended with Nguyen serving tough, keeping rev out of system. A huge block from Brown and a scorching kill from Danielson punctuated the victory for Dakine. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>WVBA 16 ADIDAS: 16 Open SPVB Presidents Day Challenge</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["231549"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f9994da1679"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eichert was the MVP of the tournament held in Aurora, IL. The 2026 prospect played with strength and dared to take all the big swings when WVBA needed them. She generated heat flying off the pin or out of the pipe, pinballing kills off the block. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='249414' first='Addison' last='Eastwood']</strong> defended well, pushed the ball accurately to the pins, and held her blocking when WVBA ran the 5-1. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["266138"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f9994da16ba"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A rock-steady performer, Terrel is gutsy when she attacks and can take on bigger defenders with her skilled offensive game. Her overall play landed her a spot on the All-Tornament team. The six-rotation dynamo is counted on to play great defense and score, her tempo passing the ball helped middles <strong>Aubrey Frederickson </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='266137' first='Jill' last='Frye']</strong> attack in system efficiently. Frye slammed fast-tempo quicks and Fredrickson controlled the middle defensively by pressing her block deep across the net. Setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='238278' first='Katelyn' last='Eichert'] </strong>played an excellent 5-1 as well, reversing the flow beautifully and getting on the ground to keep points alive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["181633"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63f9994da1703"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third member of WVBA to secure a spot on the all-tournament team, Gao showed the special qualities that make her an excellent defender and wonderful teammate. She covered her hitters and dug out rocket shots against a talented Sports Performance 16 Elite team in the finals. WVBA had to dig deep for the win in three sets, and Gao's positive attitude and encouragement were visible throughout. She always seems to make the right decision on playing a ball that is barely in or out, Gao has great awareness and feel on the court. SPVB is an undeniable powerhouse in the club volleyball world and taking the championship over their number one 16's team in their backyard is a terrific early-season accomplishment for WVBA. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->