Nike Cross Court Classic – 16 Open – All-Tournament Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most traditional tournaments annually held in Houston, the Nike Cross Court Classic was played this past weekend at the George R. Brown Convention Center, in downtown, with as many as 675 teams getting on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The gigantic tournament had 19 different divisions and Prep Dig was in attendance for the Saturday AM wave, paying special attention to the teams from the Lone Star State that were in action in the 15 Open and 16 Open divisions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/03/nike-cross-court-classic-16-open-photo-gallery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Nike Cross Court Classic - 16 Open - Photo Gallery</strong></a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several players stood out with strong performances for their teams and we've taken the week to recognize each of them. We've already shared our thoughts about every position in the 16 Open Division, so now let's know who made it to our All-Tournament Team:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["186765"],"_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":"The division had a lot of talented setters, but it's hard to argue that any other had a bigger role in their teams than Dunn had with Houston Stellar 16 Elite. Besides running the team's offense in a very efficient way when she was at the back, the setter took on hitting duties at the net and became one of the team's most productive players, using her excellent athleticism and vision to score. Dunn's distribution was really smart and she did right by trying to keep things simple she was out of system.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64139dd60fff9"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17091308/640ea9362348d9086040d246' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64139dd610046"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Sophia Ely","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32925","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Vista Ridge","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Texas Fury","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Ely probably wasn't the most physical or powerful right-side hitter in the division, but played a big role for the winners Texas Fury 16 Legacy, giving them a lot of stability at the net. She has a good mix of power and skills and used it very well, making a strong approach and swinging hard when possible, but also avoiding the blockers and looking for empty spots when not in ideal situations. Ely made very few mistakes with her offense and remained consistent with her game all weekend.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64139dd6100e8"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":341752,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/IMG_4272.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-341752" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Texas Fury 16 Legacy vs. Rise 16-1</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["314728"],"_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":"Gaines was a stud for Roots 161 Green from her outside hitter position. Very long and strong, she was one of the team's best offensive options. Gaines could probably overpower any blocker that got in her way, but she was smart and creative enough to find other ways to score, such as with tips and by tooling the block. She also added a lot from the backcourt, having a central role in the team's passing system, getting a handful of digs in every set and using her serving skills to get opponents out of system.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64139dd610154"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17253088/641069999a9b330810546753' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64139dd610173"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["318132"],"_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":"The main player of division winners Texas Fury 16 Legacy, Udoye was the unofficial MVP of the tournament. Very strong and efficient, she led her team to an undisputed victory in the division. It didn't feel like it, but she was playing one age group up and still dominated. She's virtually unstoppable when in system because besides being tall and strong, she makes excellent decisions with her shot selection. Opponents didn't test Udoye's passing too much, but she responded well when they did, and also displayed good ball control on defense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64139dd6101c4"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":341755,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/IMG_4313.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-341755" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Texas Fury 16 Legacy vs. Rise 16-1</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Positional Breakdowns:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>* <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/03/nike-cross-court-classic-16-open-liberos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Liberos</a> * <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/03/nike-cross-court-classic-16-open-outsides/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Outsides</a> * <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/03/nike-cross-court-classic-16-open-right-sides/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Right Sides</a> * <a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/03/nike-cross-court-classic-16-open-setters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Setters</a> * Middles</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Molly Muller","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32924","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"WD Nation","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Playing for Louisiana's WD Nation 16 Blue, Muller was a big obstacle for opponents trying to score on her team. Her big block was very efficient and helped her team avoid and score points during the day. Besides very long, Muller also moved very well at the net. Even when she didn't get a stop, she would at least deflect the swing and generate transition plays for her team. Her offense was also productive and steady as she made great use of her height advantage to swing.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64139dd610254"} /--> <!-- wp:image {"id":341740,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/IMG_4196.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-341740" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">TCVA 16 Green Adidas vs. WD Nation 16 Blue</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["344328"],"_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":"The long and athletic Bernard was very solid for division winners Texas Fury 16 Legacy. She was very active at the net and had some good production with her blocking as a combination of her lateral quickness, excellent timing and aggressive hand placement. Bernard's footwork also helped her on offense as she would always make herself available in transition and was very efficient hitting different sets through the middle.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64139dd6102a4"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/R6FDenise/status/1634600978522550278?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/R6FDenise/status/1634600978522550278?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["269816"],"_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":"Bishop played a big role in Roots 161 Green's efficiency on the backcourt. Very calm on the ball, she benefited from her positioning and her defensive range to get a lot of touches on defense and was able to keep the vast majority of them in play thanks to her great ball control. Bishop was also very productive with her passing, moving quickly to the ball and consistently delivering it to her setter on very good spots.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64139dd6102ed"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17248709/64106999e97bb60ae8bb5199' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64139dd610309"} /-->