Team Pineapple 16 Black: Runners-up in StL

<p>After an incredible weekend in Saint Louis, the ladies from [program_tooltip program_id='430155' first='Team' last='Pineapple']'s 16-1 have a ton of talent that will definitely make waves in the near and far future. As a team, they're cohesive, fun to watch and uber talented. Individually, I would not be surprised if each and every one of these players become committed to a school by the end of their <em>junior</em> years, let alone in time for the fall of '25 (or '26, in one example). Here is the roster I saw, and what each of them can do.</p>   <h2>'25, [player_tooltip player_id='192114' first='Addy' last='Tindall'], 6-3 OH, Homestead</h2>   <p>This article starts with easily the most physical and talented presence on this roster. Once named as the only Hoosier on the NTDP training team at the 15u level, Addison is a primary passing six rotation outside that can hit shots some kids just can't hit (aside: in the final against Circle's 16-1, she hit a few four-to-four shots with pace. I know grown men who can't do that.). She's great on net defense, touches a ton of balls in the back row, and can terminate from anywhere. There's a next-level player, and then there's Addison. </p>   <h2>'26, [player_tooltip player_id='237882' first='Maya' last='Harris'], 5-10 OH, Angola</h2>   <p>Addison's opposite, opponents couldn't take a break once Miss Tindall was in the back row. Maya's arm is LIVE, as evidenced by her bombing topspin jump serves for aces regularly throughout the weekend. The ball just sounds different coming off of her hand, and I had to do a double-take when I read that she's a freshman. Another primary passing outside for this squad, there is no need whatsoever to remove Maya from the lineup for any reason. Ever.</p>   <h2>'25, [player_tooltip player_id='324343' first='Jillian' last='Tippmann'], 5-10 RS/S, Bishop Dwenger</h2>   <p>The other pin had a hammer as well. Jillian's lefty whip of an arm terminated a ton of balls in the final, and is a nightmare to block, what with all of her attacking options she presents. Quick and athletic, she gets up fast and can terminate regularly. Doubly listed as a setter on the club's website, I cannot comment on that at the moment---I only saw her terminate at will in the final. Nevertheless, if she has even an inkling of how to run an offense, that makes her even more serviceable for colleges.</p>   <h2>'25, [player_tooltip player_id='282018' first='Cienna' last='Lapsley'], 6-0 MB, Concordia Lutheran</h2>   <p>Put length, strength and speed together in a middle, and you get Cienna. On a couple of occasions in the final, her attack touch was <em>higher</em> than the 6-3 middle defender she was going against. Over, around and sometimes through, Miss Lapsley beat a ton of blocks this weekend with her quick transition, high and fast arm and all-around volleyball smarts. No, you can't teach height....but you can learn work ethic, which Cienna clearly has in her athleticism. It was a pleasure watching her work.</p>   <h2>'25, [player_tooltip player_id='303463' first='Ava' last='LaCross'], 5-8 RS/DS, Carroll</h2>   <p>As Maya's replacement in the back row, I can easily see Ava as a right side attacker and defender at the next level for a smaller school. She anticipated well, did a lot of the defensive dirty work this weekend, and is tough from behind the baseline. I'd like to see some more front row play from her---maybe down the club road or next fall in high school ball we'll see what she can do. But for now, I anticipate that her quiet upper body and active feet make her a solid three-rotation DS at the next level.</p>   <h2>'25, [player_tooltip player_id='192113' first='Ava' last='Tindall'], 6-1 MB, Homestead</h2>   <p>The "other" middle was far from it in the final. Big and physical, Ava can attack from either in front of or behind the setter, uses her length to slow down a ton of attacks, and can transition quickly. Her ability to hit multiple shots from zero- and quick-tempo sets kept defenses honest all weekend, opening up opportunities for her pin attackers. Always ready to hit and active on net defense, Ava is another excellent example of a middle who works hard AND smart to score points for her squad.</p>   <h2>'25, [player_tooltip player_id='324342' first='Katie' last='Mills'], 5-6 DS/L, Bellmont</h2>   <p>A stud libero if there ever was one, Katie is relentless, defends everything well and can receive serve with the best of them, in any class. She can take a hard shot and come right back with an amazing play, all while keeping her composure and never missing a play. Rarely is an error made on Katie's watch, and plays like a defensive coach on the floor---she's always anticipating correctly, touches a ton of balls in serve receive and can direct her teammates to be better around her. It's probably redundant to say the following; Bellmont kids can pass. Katie is no exception to this obvious rule.</p>   <h2>'25, [player_tooltip player_id='172318' first='Ava' last='Harris'], 5-10 S, Angola</h2>   <p>We'll save the third Ava for last on this roster, as there is no way this team could have advanced as far as they did without a setter running a faster-than-average offense without her. She's already running speed to her pins, connects well with her middles, and is active and vocal between points. Acting as a second coach, Miss Harris can run any 5-1 offense she wants, including this one. Her feet get her to balls most others can't get to, she's tall enough to go into the plane and produce a hittable ball, and defends her position well. I would not be surprised if she picked up a few offers before the start of her junior year in high school. </p>

After an incredible weekend in Saint Louis, the ladies from Team Pineapple 's 16-1 have a ton of talent that will definitely make waves in the near and far future. As a team, they're cohesive, fun to watch and uber talented. Individually, I would not be surprised if each and every one of these players become committed to a school by the end of their junior years, let alone in time for the fall of '25 (or '26, in one example). Here is the roster I saw, and what each of them can do.