Triple Crown NIT Round Table Preview – Coach Mike DZ’s Version

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most anticipated tournaments at the beginning of each club season is the Triple Crown NIT because of all of the talent that will be under one roof.&nbsp; It will be held in Kansas City, MO on February 18-20^th.&nbsp; Prep Dig has three scouts who will be covering the tourney.&nbsp; I will be joining Chris Fitzgerald and Austin Kingsley at the tourney and we will each be offering our perspective on teams and players to watch out for during the weekend.&nbsp; Let's “Dig” in to my take.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18s&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What Teams Will Be Contending For a Championship On Day Three?&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since my boys already picked the Cali teams of Sunshine and Coast to contend on day three, I am going to go out on a limb and pick a Texas squad that I believe some are sleeping on.  Dallas Skyline 18 Royal have a few weapons that never seem to run out of ammo.  In the past three years that I have been covering this age group, I have never been able to count out Oregon commit [player_tooltip player_id='141140' first='Becca' last='Kelley'] who can score from anywhere on the court.  This team has always been a threat at the national level, but this year they have added some crazy firepower like Middle/Opposite Georgia Commit [player_tooltip player_id='141131' first='Cecily' last='Gooch'] and North Texas commit [player_tooltip player_id='153291' first='Hannah' last='Gonzalez'].  This reloaded roster also consists of LSU commit [player_tooltip player_id='301835' first='Angelina' last='Lee'], who dominates out of the middle, and libero [player_tooltip player_id='87572' first='Symone' last='Sims'] who will suit up for Kansas State next year.  They recently took third in the Lone Star Qualifier in the 18 Open division and are poised for some upsets in this prestigious tourney if you ask me.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What Non-Power Pool Teams Could Sneak Up On People?&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seal Beach 18 Black has a super stud in six foot two lefty setter/opposite [player_tooltip player_id='161496' first='Gianna' last='Tagoai'] who will turn many headswith her impressive skill-set.&nbsp; She leads a solid team in the non-power pools who has a great seed going into the tourney who have had some success in the last few years at USA Nationals.&nbsp; They will look to make an impact against teams who have not seen their tall lineup.&nbsp; Captain [player_tooltip player_id='159524' first='Erynn' last='Sweeney'] is also a tough out on the left side.&nbsp; She packs a serious punch and could do some damage if people overlook them.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who are the big time commits who will be having a huge impact on the tournament?&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since I cover California and Texas, I will throw some of their top recruits in the mix.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='161445' first='Julia' last='Blyashov'], [player_tooltip player_id='141120' first='Reese' last='Robins'], [player_tooltip player_id='160016' first='Claire' last='Little'], [player_tooltip player_id='87549' first='Cindy' last='Tchouangwa'], [player_tooltip player_id='160313' first='Olivia' last='Babcock'], and [player_tooltip player_id='159523' first='Torrey' last='Stafford'] are all huge offensive threats.&nbsp; Setters [player_tooltip player_id='160884' first='Zoe' last='Rachow'] and [player_tooltip player_id='141133' first='Callie' last='Kieffer'] are two of the best to dish dimes.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17s</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What Teams Will Be Contending For a Championship On Day Three?&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is no stopping the newly formed “Dream Team” out of Texas…Drive Nation 17 Red.&nbsp; If you have been following this age group like I have over the last three years, this roster surprised me this summer when it was announced after tryouts.&nbsp; Texas likes to boast that “Everything is Bigger in Texas” and these kids went all in together to form a super team.&nbsp; It is a combination of players from five of the best clubs in the North Texas region and one from the Lone Star region.&nbsp; Yes...they also have a player who travels four hours from San Antonio to Dallas in order to practice and compete with this squad on a weekly basis also.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='124103' first='Vivian' last='Parker'], [player_tooltip player_id='124113' first='Lauryn' last='“Lolo” Lambert'], [player_tooltip player_id='124114' first='Grace' last='Carroll'], [player_tooltip player_id='162764' first='Ayden' last='Ames'], Bethany Wu, [player_tooltip player_id='180982' first='Caleigh' last='King'], [player_tooltip player_id='178685' first='Jessica' last='Jones'], and [player_tooltip player_id='179902' first='Shelby' last='Burriss'] joined forces with [player_tooltip player_id='142203' first='Carson' last='Eickenloff'], [player_tooltip player_id='124102' first='Brianna' last='Watson'], [player_tooltip player_id='155121' first='Avery' last='Baughman'], and [player_tooltip player_id='142202' first='Lillian' last='Croshaw'], who won the USA Volleyball Junior National Championship last year with [program_tooltip program_id='431200' first='Madfrog' last=''] to make up one of the most potent lineups I have ever seen.&nbsp; They all decided to be coached by legendary coach Ping Cao and they are finally gelling together at the right time.&nbsp; I was able to watch them in person this past weekend as they steamrolled everyone that was in their path during the tough and ultra competitive Tour of Texas tourney.&nbsp; This team will be in contention on day three for sure.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What Non-Power Pool Teams Could Sneak Up On People?&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Absolute 17 Black is a solid squad who has been on a tear out in Northern California so far this season.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='348437' first='Jaden' last='Hendrickson'] is a stud on the left side who can unload some bombs on anyone.&nbsp; She is someone who can score in bunches really quickly.&nbsp; Middle [player_tooltip player_id='202823' first='Alana' last='Villela'] has been a wall for this team on the defensive end.&nbsp; Libero Jaime Low is also someone that is scary good in the back row.&nbsp; Her range is sneaky and she has some of the best emergency techniques in the age group.&nbsp; Alamo 17 Premier has a few studs who will turn some heads in the non-power pools also.&nbsp; Their setter duo of [player_tooltip player_id='142207' first='Gabriella' last='Reeves'] and [player_tooltip player_id='142200' first='Megan' last='Hawkins'] is one to watch.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='142213' first='Lola' last='Davila'] and [player_tooltip player_id='197082' first='Jaylin' last='Lott'] hardly let anything drop near their zones in the back row.&nbsp; Alamo is known for their defense and these two are studs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What Teams Could Be The Cinderellas of the Tournament?&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dallas Skyline 17 Royal is the epitome of a “Cinderella” team as some of their stars from last season left for other pastures.&nbsp; This will not stop all-star left side [player_tooltip player_id='124101' first='Lauren' last='Perry'], super setter [player_tooltip player_id='155130' first='Carter' last='Fouche'], stud liberos [player_tooltip player_id='155119' first='McKenna' last='Brand'] and [player_tooltip player_id='155126' first='Tally' last='Grissom'], dynamo outsides [player_tooltip player_id='199548' first='Reese' last='Renfrow'] and [player_tooltip player_id='197069' first='Loren' last='Winn'] from competing at the highest level.&nbsp; I just watched them defy all of the odds and battle to a second place finish at the Tour of Texas tourney last weekend.&nbsp; This team plays together extremely well and makes all of the right plays at the right time to stay in every rally.&nbsp; Everyone will overlook them and that is just how they like it.&nbsp; They might not match up with anyone height wise, but they will be one of the sneakiest teams in the tourney in my opinon.&nbsp; Do not sleep on this team!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who are the big time commits who will be having a huge impact on the tournament?&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nebraska commit [player_tooltip player_id='162764' first='Ayden' last='Ames'] is playing on another level for Drive Nation 17 Red.&nbsp; LSU commit [player_tooltip player_id='124144' first='Lainee' last='Pyles'] is a juggernaut and cannot be stopped on the offensive end for [program_tooltip program_id='431200' first='Madfrog' last='']. &nbsp;Everyone on Drive Nation's squad that I mentioned earlier in the questions will have a major impact on this tourney.&nbsp; Houston Skyline middle [player_tooltip player_id='124153' first='Jaela' last='Auguste'] is committed to Florida and will be one of the biggest shut down blockers on the weekend.&nbsp; Wisconsin commit [player_tooltip player_id='162772' first='Charlie' last='Fuerbringer'] is one of the best setters in the age group and will have her Mizuno Long Beach squad ready to ball.&nbsp; She will be delivering the ball to one of the most explosive attackers, Stanford commit [player_tooltip player_id='159534' first='Babi' last='Gubbins'].&nbsp; This duo is unstoppable and should not be ignored as impact players.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who are the under the radar uncommitted stars to watch out for?&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='124128' first='Savannah' last='Skopal'] is the best setter in Texas “hands” down and will be running a clinic for Austin Juniors.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='199548' first='Reese' last='Renfrow'] from Dallas Skyline 17 Royal is an undersized left side attacker who can flat out bang with anyone in the country.&nbsp; Some may overlook because of her size but all this kid knows is how to score.&nbsp; She can rack up the kills in a hurry and is so much fun to watch.&nbsp; She will make some coach very happy if they give her a chance.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='201034' first='Reese' last='Animashaun'] is a flat-out phenom who will rival anyone who wants to get into a vertical competition.&nbsp; Her Houston Skyline 17 Royal squad is poised for a good run.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always stay tuned for more articles on your favorite athletes.&nbsp; If you have anyone you think we should watch out for, please shoot me an email with some info at <a href="mailto:nov8vb@yahoo.com">nov8vb@yahoo.com</a>.&nbsp; Also don't forget to help these kids get more exposure by sharing our stories with your friends.&nbsp; Help us help them by simply retweeting on Twitter or sharing on Facebook.&nbsp; Thanks for following us, Prep Dig Family!&nbsp; Don't be afraid to interact with us.&nbsp; We love the likes, shares, and quotes/comments.&nbsp; Keep them coming!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->