Triple Crown Team Preview: NPJ Seattle 16
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The Triple Crown NIT is a “best of the best” showcase tournament for club volleyball teams across the nation. NPJ Seattle 16-1 National coached by Madison Campbell and Grant Lewis travels to Kanas City to compete over Presidents Day weekend.…
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Continue ReadingThe Triple Crown NIT is a “best of the best” showcase tournament for club volleyball teams across the nation. NPJ Seattle 16-1 National coached by Madison Campbell and Grant Lewis travels to Kanas City to compete over Presidents Day weekend. The squad has run up a 24-2 overall record for the season, with a 3rd place finish at the Matt Hartner Memorial and a first-place ranking in the Puget Sound Power League. Here is a closer look at the team overall before they make the trip to the Midwest.
Having a high-caliber libero is always going to be crucial when you match up against the level of teams playing at the Triple Crown. Alefaio is an energy giver for her team, an incredibly quick and skillful player who can make the rally saving play when it’s needed most. Her hustle and effort covering her attackers is next level, and she can hang in and make the tough dig against the strongest attackers.
Skagen is a well-rounded player and is starting as a six-rotation outside for NPJ. A super solid passer in serve receive, she has been passing dimes all season, A high-flying attacker, she will paint the line and mix in the soft line tip once the defense is on their heels. Skagen does all the little things well and competes on each point with passion and smarts, she is a winning player.
Highlights
Wright can show off her athleticism, foot speed, and solid vertical in the 5-1 formation for NPJ. She will run down a pass that’s off target and still put up a set that her hitters can put a good swing on. She has a great sense of when to find one of her back row attackers for a swing, using the pipe in and out of system. NPJ is highly effective when Wright is at the service line, she is accurate and mixes up her serve location, it’s a solid point-scoring rotation for the team.
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A good athlete, Grieser has a quick transition and works hard to close the block at the pins. Offensively she will attack from the right side and the middle, and adjusts well to sets making sure to put the ball in and make the defense play. Grieser will use a smart, hard tip to sweep the ball down and score, and when running a quick is able to rise up and rip it for a kill.
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Taliloa is the go-to attacker when the game is on the line for NPJ. She is demanding the ball this season and delivering when she gets it. For such a power player, her off-speed shots, hands, and defense are all on point. Taliloa is playing the middle back extremely well, and being available for crushing swings from the pipe is a huge part of the NPJ attack. She is a terminal hitter who can close the game out when it’s on the line.
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McFadden has been a force blocking and attacking from the right side for NPJ in the early season. Her excellent length and timing have helped shut down opposing outside hitters, and her growing offensive game has kept the defense from loading up on the outside hitters. McFadden is poised for a breakout season on the big stage.
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Smith is a strong presence at the net and was part of an excellent Seattle Prep frontline during the school season. She is dynamic when finding a seam running a quick set and is not afraid to swing hard angles off a blocker’s hands. She has a growing chemistry with setter Wright that should pay dividends as the season goes on.
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NPJ Seattle 16 National has excellent depth available. Maiya Lester Maiya Lester 6'0" | RS Liberty | 2025 State WA is a high level athlete and versatile front line player. Adrianna Moilanen, Callie Wilson, and Carissa Zwiefelhofer have experience and skill and can step into a big situation when needed. Lingli Chum-Schultz Lingli Chum-Schultz 5'4" | DS/L Kentwood | 2025 State WA can get it done defensively and in serve receive.