Texas Teams With a Strong Start in 16 Open

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 16 Open Division has wrapped up the first two days of action at the GJNC. This division is stacked with unbelievable talent and outstanding teams. 6 Texas teams compromise the top 24 with 3 teams coming out of both the North Texas and Lone Star regions. The level of competition these teams play against all season long in both local and statewide tournaments seem to prepare them for the rigor and intensity of the GJNC's. None of these teams have an easy road as they will have to face off against one another tomorrow in pool play and crossovers to make it to the Final 8 on Thursday. The stage is set for some incredible volleyball when these clubs take the floor on Wednesday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":null} --> <p><strong>Drive Nation 16-Red </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Region: North Texas</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Overall Seeding for Day 3: #3</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Record in Pool Play: 5-0</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Drive Nation won in dominant fashion going undefeated in pool play. With a relentless attack from both pin positions and strong, consistent swings from both middles no opponent could stop the onslaught of fire power coming from Drive Nation's side of the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='431166' first='Houston' last='Juniors'] 16 Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Region: Lone Star</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Overall Seeding for Day 3: #5</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Record in Pool Play: 4-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's almost redundant to talk about a team in 16 Open having an impressive combination of size and athleticism but even in a field of elite athletes, [program_tooltip program_id='431166' first='Houston' last='Juniors'] has a special combination of players. They have a well-balanced attack and a strong defensive presence at the net and back row. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Houston Skyline 16 Royal</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Region: Lone Star</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Overall Seeding for Day 3: #10</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Record in Pool Play: 3-2</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Houston Skyline uses a quick and very aggressive offensive attack that was a struggle for their opponents to handle in pool play. They swing explosively from both the front and back row which makes them difficult to handle. They play with fire and have solid players at every position on the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Austin Skyline 26 Royal</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Region: Lone Star</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Overall Seeding for Day 3: #12 </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Record in Pool Play: 3-2</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Austin Skyline has a balanced front row attack and elite back row defense that they use to overwhelm opponents. They use crafty shot-placement and do a great job reading the defense and finding the open spots. They have an arsenal of weapons and the setters do a great job of spreading the ball around and keeping their opponents off-kilter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='431200' first='[program_tooltip program_id='431200' first='[program_tooltip program_id='431200' first='Madfrog' last='']' last='']' last=''] 16 National Green</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Region: North Texas</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Overall Seeding for Day 3: #13</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Record in Pool Play: 3-2</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='431200' first='[program_tooltip program_id='431200' first='[program_tooltip program_id='431200' first='Madfrog' last='']' last='']' last=''] uses a versatile attack at the pin positions and relies heavily on both middle blockers to gain the advantage against their opponents. Both setters do a great job moving the ball around offensively. They are a team that utilizes momentum to push the tempo offensively and are capable of making big defensive plays from the back row. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAV 16 Black</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Region: North Texas</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Overall Seeding for Day 3: #17</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Record in Pool Play: 3-2</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TAV is a scrappy and physical team both offensively and defensively. They have two high flyers at outside that can score points in a hurry. Their setter moves the ball around with ease and puts up a solid block from the front row. They don't let a lot of balls hit the floor and play with an incredible intensity as a team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Please let us know if there are teams and players that should be on our radar. I would love to hear from you with comments and feedback at ttalbert33@hotmail.com. Continue to check the website for articles and updates from Chicago! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->