Must-See 17s at the Pacific Northwest Qualifier

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pacific Northwest Qualifier starts tomorrow in Spokane, Washington. There are a lot of Texas teams making the long haul this weekend, and we have highlighted four teams among 3 divisions as a part of our must-see list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Austin Juniors 17 Adidas</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Austin Juniors 17 Adidas will be trying to grab an open bid at the PNQ this weekend. With pool play starting Saturday, it is imperative that these athletes make your viewing list. The first thing you need to know about this AJV team is that they are massive across the front row. Setter <strong>Livia Niu</strong> standing at 6'2 and playing 6 rotations gives this team a lot of height. Currently uncommitted, <strong>Livia Niu</strong> doubles as a setter and right-side hitter for AJV. Arizona State commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='177532' first='Jadyn' last='Wilgus']</strong> is having a phenomenal junior season, and has been very reliable on the outside. Her size and strength overtake a lot of blockers. Another big playmaker at the net is uncommitted middle-right side <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='239065' first='Naara' last='Tanco']</strong>, who has been a blocking machine so far this season. At 6'1, she is very formidable at the net. Uncommitted outside/DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='205336' first='Kayla' last='Patel']</strong> might not have the height of her other teammates but she more than makes up for it in vertical and arm swing. Austin Juniors 17 Adidas has been looking very good since Triple Crown. We could see them pick up a bid here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[program_tooltip program_id='431166' first='Houston' last='Juniors'] 17 Elite</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This [program_tooltip program_id='431166' first='Houston' last='Juniors'] 17 Elite team is packed with D1 talent in every position. They will be playing in 17 Open against some of the best. While most of their roster is committed, we will be focusing on the big playmakers and uncommitted superstars of this team. First is OH/DS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='124106' first='Lauren' last='Battle']</strong>. Lauren has really come into her own in the outside position this year. At 5'8 she has no problem taking on the big block of opposing teams and her fast and aggressive arm swing paired with her volleyball IQ make her super successful offensively. Defensive specialist <strong>Cameron McDaniel </strong>is actually a 2025 playing up on 17s. Cameron is a bulldog in middle back defense and has been in numerous highlight reels showing off her playmaking abilities. East Carolina commit setter/RS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='155125' first='Taryn' last='Gilreath']</strong> is one of my favorite setters in the Houston area. She can do it all, set and run the offense and then jump in and be a part of the offense as well. A big playmaker at the net is uncommitted OH/RS<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='124117' first='Mariana' last='Buchanan']</strong>. Her vertical and length make her an excellent blocker. She is quick on her feet and plays with a lot of passion and energy while on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Arete 17 Navy Telos</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hoping to qualify in the 17 USA division, Arete 17 Navy Telos is one of those scrappy intense teams that just doesn't go away. They are led by strong middle-blocker <strong>Alyssa Boyte.</strong> Tons of energy and grittiness with Alyssa, and that energy bleeds into her teammates. She does not need a lot of time to prepare, she reads the pass well and gets available quickly. Everyone should have their eyes on 6'2 outside <strong>Brianna Hamilton</strong>. Brianna is one of the up-and-coming outsides in her class. She has a great vertical and explodes over the top of opposing blocks. Right side <strong>Kealakai Bandy</strong> is another stud at the net for Arete 17 Navy Telos. She brings a lot of power with her swing and has a variety of shots she likes to use. Libero <strong>Anika Malapati</strong> has been digging double digits for Arete lately and is gritty on defense. She has quick feet and a fast reaction time as well as a solid platform in serve receive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[program_tooltip program_id='431200' first='[program_tooltip program_id='431200' first='[program_tooltip program_id='431200' first='Madfrog' last='']' last='']' last=''] 17 National White</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playing in 17 Liberty, this very solid [program_tooltip program_id='431200' first='[program_tooltip program_id='431200' first='[program_tooltip program_id='431200' first='Madfrog' last='']' last='']' last=''] 17N White team has a very good chance of being successful this weekend. As a freshman playing up, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219291' first='Jayden' last='Fitzgerald']</strong> has taken on a lot of responsibility as a 6 rotation player in some instances, and she hasn't backed down from a challenge yet. She is explosive and aggressive and is improving fast. Libero <strong>Camryn Bertoglio</strong> has got the soft touch on this team. Everything she passes seems to be so smooth and effortless. Her out-of-system sets are beautiful as well. A beast blocking at the net, outside<strong> Cherish Okpara</strong> seems to be involved in every blocking play. She has a lot of power to pack a punch on her swing as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='355985' first='Laila' last='Harrell'] </strong>rounds out this very good blocking team in the middle position. She has insane vertical and has made massive improvements since the start of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->