Pacific Northwest Qualifier: Which 16s Are A Must-See?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pacific Northwest Qualifier is a hike from the Lone Star State, but some Texas teams are taking on the challenge and heading up there for weekend 1 which is 16-18s age groups. Below we will highlight the Texas teams and players who should be on your must-see list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Austin Juniors 16 Adidas</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>Familiar Faces: </h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='287248' first='Parker' last='Duncan']</strong>- High-flying outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='287248' first='Parker' last='Duncan'] has really come into her position this year, sporting 6 rotations and looking great while doing it. The 6'0 hitter looks much taller than that because of her long reach and insane vertical. She and teammate [player_tooltip player_id='179918' first='Takyla' last='Brown'] are unstoppable when paired together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='179918' first='Takyla' last='Brown'] </strong>- Absolute stud of a setter [player_tooltip player_id='179918' first='Takyla' last='Brown'] is a familiar face and name to the competitive volleyball world. She will be spearheading the offense for Austin Juniors 16 Adidas. Look for her to make an immediate impact on the game early on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>New Names:</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='314735' first='Kenna' last='McKenzie']</strong>- Pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='314735' first='Kenna' last='McKenzie'] has been making a name for herself recently. Austin Juniors has some sizable pin hitters and Kenna is no exception. The 6'1 right side is a massive block and has a quick turnaround offense. Her transition to swing is what caught my attention, and she can put the ball away down the line. Kenna will be seeing more attention for sure after such a strong start to the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='314730' first='Simone' last='Baskin']</strong>- [player_tooltip player_id='314730' first='Simone' last='Baskin'] stands out to me on this team because of the true potential she has to be a star middle hitter in the Austin area. She has the height and size and vertical to match but her contact on her swing is sometimes hit or miss. When she does get on the ball it is powerful and it makes you stop and watch more. She is one middle to watch as she progresses into the season. She could turn into a really lethal attacker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Dallas Premier 16 Black</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>Familiar Faces</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='351623' first='Aven' last='Crosby']</strong>- Libero [player_tooltip player_id='351623' first='Aven' last='Crosby'] will be leading the defensive action for Dallas Premier 16 Black. Aven has moved into the spotlight this season after making some great defensive plays and keeping some very tough balls alive. She is a very calm defender, and seems to have it under control in the left back position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='285289' first='Greer' last='Chambless']</strong>- Six-foot outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='285289' first='Greer' last='Chambless'] is always a fun one to watch because of her explosive jump on the outside. She has a lot of length to her approach and seems to effortlessly explode to the ball and really tries to put away every set that comes her way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>New Names:</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AaJaylah Zeno</strong>- I really like right side AaJaylah Zeno on this Dallas Premier team. She has a spunkiness about her. She is quick on her feet and fast on the net and in transition. She looks a little raw in her skill at times, but her pure athleticism is on display always. She stands at only 5'7 but looks like she touches 10 feet when she approaches jumps. She is definitely one to keep an eye on to watch as she develops over the course of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='318139' first='Taylor' last='Johnson']</strong>- New-to-me setter [player_tooltip player_id='318139' first='Taylor' last='Johnson'] seems to have the full package after watching her a few times. An aggressive serve, great defense, fast tempo set, and soft hands are what make her a great setting option for Dallas Premier. She looks like she runs the court very well with some high volleyball IQ decision-making. [player_tooltip player_id='318139' first='Taylor' last='Johnson'] should 100% be on your watchlist going into PNQ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Dallas Skyline - 16 Black</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>Familiar Faces</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Keely Harrington</strong>- Lefty setter Keely Harrington always looks confident out on the court playing. She is not flashy or fancy but does a great job of feeding her hot hitters the ball. She is very sneaky with her lefty swing on the second ball and will make you pay if you aren't paying attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='254277' first='Melanie' last='Guevara']</strong>- Strong and confident outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='254277' first='Melanie' last='Guevara'] is a main staple of this Dallas Skyline 16 Black team. She has improved with her consistency since last season and is using that power to her advantage now that she can control it. Melanie and her team look primed to finish well at PNQ, and she is a major offensive contributor on this team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>New Names</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Liz Goodspeed</strong>- Middle hitter Liz Goodspeed is a new name to me after watching Dallas Skyline 16 Black. Like her teammate Keely, Liz is very calm and collected on the court. She doesn't run a very fast set in the middle but has some very good shot placement on the floor. I saw her cut sharp angles, lines, and deep corners several times. She doesn't rely on speed or vertical but uses her volleyball IQ to know where to place the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='314999' first='Celeste' last='Ocampo']</strong>- Libero [player_tooltip player_id='314999' first='Celeste' last='Ocampo'] is a must-watch on this Dallas Skyline 16 Black team. She is an under-the-radar stud for sure who should be getting more recognition. She is feisty in the back row and works hard to keep the ball in play for her team. She is confident digging with her platform or her hands or even throwing one arm out there for a pancake. She was fun to watch on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[program_tooltip program_id='431166' first='Houston' last='Juniors'] 16 Premier</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>Familiar Faces</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='216504' first='Ariana' last='Spell']</strong>- Solid serve receiver [player_tooltip player_id='216504' first='Ariana' last='Spell'] has been a rock for this Houston Junior 16 Premier backcourt. She first got our attention at the Top 250 Expo in Houston, and since then we have been keeping up with her progress. She has a very soft touch on her platform and stays calm and relaxed in serve receive. She really has worked on her angles and is very hard to ace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='269772' first='Abbie' last='O'Shay']</strong>- Heavy hitter [player_tooltip player_id='269772' first='Abbie' last='O'Shay'] has really put herself on the map this year with her heavy swing and amazing slide that she runs. She is undoubtedly one of the best slide runners in all of the Houston area. She is so fun to watch when she plays because of the excitement and celebration she has with her teammates.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>New Names</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ope Aladetimi</strong>- Beast blocker Ope Aladetimi is really starting to catch the attention of onlookers because of her size and blocking capabilities. Ope is one of those athletes that can come up as a big playmaker at the net, whether it is a big block or swing. She has an amazing press on the block and has even bounced balls off the floor just from blocking! She will definitely be on our radar from here on out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>Texas Fury 16 Legacy</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>Familiar Faces</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='179900' first='Isabella' last='Orton']</strong>- One of my favorite setters from the Top 250 Expo in Houston this year was [player_tooltip player_id='179900' first='Isabella' last='Orton']. I really love Isabella's versatility and athleticism. While she is an amazing setter, she is a powerful hitter, tough blocker, and quick learner on the fly. She doesn't get the recognition she deserves for her skillset, but Isabella is the real deal when it comes to a setter that is the full package.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='318132' first='Joy' last='Udoye']</strong>- Class of 2026 standout [player_tooltip player_id='318132' first='Joy' last='Udoye'] is undoubtedly one of the most lethal outside hitters of her class. She stands at 6'2 and has tons of power to back up her swing. She plays 6 rotations as a freshman for her high school team and is becoming a force to be reconned with at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>New Names</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ezra Leifeste</strong>- Libero Ezra Leifeste is a new name to me this season. After watching her team play, I went back and looked up their roster because I was impressed with her middle-back play and her ability to dig balls well outside of her comfort zone. While every dig might not be pretty, Ezra does her job on the court keeping the ball in play, and has a no-stop attitude when going for balls. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->