USA Jr. Nationals Preview – TAV 16 Platinum

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>USA Jr Nationals, which will be held in Chicago at the end of June and early July, is the ultimate test to the end of the season as it will bring together all of the teams who have earned a bid to participate.&nbsp; These wonderful teams have proven themselves through a very long and grueling club season and will compete against other top notch teams who have earned the right to play in this prestigious tourney.&nbsp; We will be highlighting teams and individual players that we think you should be watching during the tourney in this series of articles.&nbsp; Let's take a look at a few names to know!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TAV 16 Platinum will be competing in the USA Division of USA Jr Nationals.&nbsp; They are from the North Texas Region and have been competing well in national qualifiers all season long.&nbsp; They earned their bid at the Far Western National Qualifier in Reno.&nbsp; I have seen this team twice in action this season and they have truly had a meteoric rise throughout the season.&nbsp; Being listed as the 6^th team in the age group by the club, this squad has shown that it is just a number and you still have to compete to make a name for yourself.&nbsp; Here are just a few of the names to know from their talented squad.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='203370' first='Kiana' last='Babaei']&nbsp;[2025] 5-6 Setter (HS: Frisco Memorial/Club: [program_tooltip program_id='431308' first='Texas' last='Advantage'] Volleyball/Verbal: Uncommitted)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":259802,"width":121,"height":133,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/51-Kiana-Babaei.jpg?w=934" alt="" class="wp-image-259802" width="121" height="133" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kiana is currently an unranked prospect in the 2025 class according to our Prep Dig Texas State Rankings, but she is on our official watch list after seeing her at our showcases and during the season.&nbsp; She plays volleyball at Frisco Memorial High School and also plays club for [program_tooltip program_id='431308' first='Texas' last='Advantage'] Volleyball.&nbsp; When you watch Miss Babaei play the setter position, you do not see a 6^th team setter.&nbsp; She could start for many first or second teams in this age group no doubt.&nbsp; Her form is stellar throughout the position and she has very solid footwork.&nbsp; Her frame is strong and she can push the ball to both pins from any location on the court.&nbsp; I love that she commits herself to jump set as many balls as possible to keep the defense honest.&nbsp; Kiana understands the game and you can see that when you watch her play.&nbsp; Her backset when moving toward the left side of the court is phenomenal.&nbsp; Going against flow like that is one of the hardest skills to master as a setter and it takes amazing timing and great technique, both of which Kiana possesses.&nbsp; If you are a college coach, take special note of how Miss Babaei runs her middles, even though slightly out of position, as that is the mark of a setter who is ready for a faster-level offense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='202871' first='Sophie' last='Bridges'] [2025] 5-8 Libero (HS: Prosper/Club: [program_tooltip program_id='431308' first='Texas' last='Advantage'] Volleyball/Verbal: Uncommitted)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":259808,"width":120,"height":120,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/57-Sophie-Bridges.jpg?w=1013" alt="" class="wp-image-259808" width="120" height="120" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophie is currently an unranked prospect in the 2025 class according to our Prep Dig Texas State Rankings, but is listed on our official watch list.&nbsp; She plays volleyball at Prosper High School and also for the [program_tooltip program_id='431308' first='Texas' last='Advantage'] Volleyball club program.&nbsp; Miss Bridges has been on my radar for a while now and she has made steady progress in the libero position.&nbsp; She has some serious ball control skills that every coach in the country will fall in love with.&nbsp; Her defensive range is quite extensive and that is due to her great size and ability to push off with her outside foot while digging.&nbsp; She understands the principle of keeping her weight on the inside of her feet to get a more solid push off.&nbsp; Her ability to collapse on the hard driven ball is an amazing skill that keeps the ball in her team's side of the court.&nbsp; One huge aspect that I love about her play is the fact that when the setter on the other team is about to set, Sophie remains strong in her base position so that she doesn't get burned by setter dumps.&nbsp; This is very crucial to her squad's success and I hope younger players get to watch her play so they can mimic this.&nbsp; She is someone who has contributed mightily to her team earning a bid to play at nationals and I cannot wait to watch them in action.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='250462' first='Chloe' last='Johnson']&nbsp;[2025] 6-0 Outside (HS: Gunter/Club: [program_tooltip program_id='431308' first='Texas' last='Advantage'] Volleyball/Verbal: Uncommitted)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":259840,"width":119,"height":126,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/91-Chloe-Johnson.jpg?w=967" alt="" class="wp-image-259840" width="119" height="126" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chloe is currently an unranked prospect in the 2025 Class according to our Prep Dig Texas State Rankings, but is listed on our official watch list.&nbsp; She plays volleyball for Gunter High School and also plays club for the [program_tooltip program_id='431308' first='Texas' last='Advantage'] Volleyball program. &nbsp;Miss Johnson is no stranger to accolades or winning volleyball as she has been named Newcomer of the Year in her district and also has a Texas State Title under her belt.&nbsp; The lengthy left side attacker can light up the court in a hurry and unleashes laser beams on the opposing defense at will.&nbsp; She uses a very long right arm to high point the ball and make sure that it is very difficult for the blocker to time.&nbsp; Her offensive arsenal is key for this team to go far in Chicago as they use her on the pin and also bring her inside for second tempo play set routes out of the middle.&nbsp; The pace of her attack is hard for blockers to keep in the court.&nbsp; If they don't turn their hands in, she will make them pay with a tool easily.&nbsp; We will be keep our eye on her as the tourney unfolds and you should also.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle [player_tooltip player_id='433958' first='Madison' last='Smith'] puts up a solid block that ignites this team's fire.&nbsp; She is a long and strong weapon that should be used often if this team is to compete well in Chicago in my opinion.&nbsp; Opposite Katie Rakoski uses her left hand well to keep the offensive barrage flowing for this team.&nbsp; The lefty has a long reach and sends a solid strike to the opponent.&nbsp; Setter Ayden Beville is the other half of this talented setting duo that controls the six-two offense.&nbsp; She is silky smooth and moves the ball around well.&nbsp;&nbsp; There are many more stars on this team that we will be watching all tourney long.&nbsp; Stay tuned for more on their journey in Chicago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stay tuned for more articles on your favorite teams and athletes that will be attending nationals.&nbsp; If you have anyone you think we should watch out for, please shoot me an email with some info at <a href="mailto:Michael@prepdig.com">Michael@prepdig.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 Prep Dig Family!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->