Tour of Texas Stop 1 – Players to Watch Vol 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most anticipated tournaments at the beginning of each club season is the Tour of Texas because of all of the talent that will be competing.  The first stop will be held in Dallas, TX this weekend.  I will be in attendance of this prestigious event and this series will be offering my perspective on teams and players to watch out for during the weekend.  Let's “Dig” in to see who is in this volume.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16s&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just like the 17's, this pool of talent is basically all teams that will be at Nationals.&nbsp; It is amazing that we get to see all of this talent in one gym for three days this early in the season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Power Pools are absolutely littered with Open level talent.&nbsp; There are teams that are traveling from Utah, Georgia, California, and Hawaii looking to compete with the best from the North Texas and Lone Star regions.&nbsp; It is going to be so much fun to watch!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Dallas Skyline 16 Royal</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year's USA Volleyball Open National Champion was dominant in every way possible.&nbsp; I watched them from early in the season until their last match just get better and better under some amazing coaching.&nbsp; This team has their core intact from last season and also has added some ridiculous firepower.&nbsp; Can anyone stop this team from a repeat?&nbsp; That remains to be seen, however my money is on this squad to have a darn good shot to be in the running for a repeat.&nbsp; The offensive firepower is lava hot, however, in my humble opinion, the main reason for this team's success is super setter [player_tooltip player_id='241932' first='Madison' last='Victoriano'].&nbsp; She is a flat out magician with the ball in her hands.&nbsp; If you have not seen her dish the rock, please grab some popcorn, take a seat, and you will be in for a good show.&nbsp; As you admire that beautiful ball in the air floating so effortlessly, be warned that you are about to see it disappear in a hurry when it is obliterated by [player_tooltip player_id='452241' first='LeVariya' last='Pinder'].&nbsp; The high flying pin is known for destroying defenses in a flash with one swing.&nbsp; Stud Middle [player_tooltip player_id='318137' first='Keoni' last='Williams'] has shot up our State Rankings list with her awesome feats.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='452239' first='Taylor' last='Clarke'] is very intimidating at the net for a very good reason.&nbsp; Give her a look and you will see exactly why.&nbsp; With additions to the roster like [player_tooltip player_id='196848' first='Aubree' last='Fernandez'], [player_tooltip player_id='254082' first='Brooke' last='Lacewell'], [player_tooltip player_id='318143' first='Maleah' last='Evans'], and [player_tooltip player_id='254300' first='Simone' last='Heard'] from clubs like Drive Nation, [program_tooltip program_id='431200' first='Madfrog' last=''], and TAV, this is an all-star team without any holes.&nbsp; Aubs is a ball control expert who is one of the best in the business in the back row.&nbsp; Middles [player_tooltip player_id='318130' first='Camille' last='Perry'] and [player_tooltip player_id='318135' first='Armie' last='Hall'] will have any team struggling to get the ball over the net.&nbsp; Stay tuned for more from this amazing roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Austin Skyline 16 Royal</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One team who will challenge for the national title this year, in my opinion, is this juggernaut.&nbsp; Last year they qualified multiple times in the Open division but they were not satisfied with their finish.&nbsp; So they retooled a little and added some more of the best players in the state of Texas to it.&nbsp; Returning players from last season like [player_tooltip player_id='321291' first='Christa' last='Wilburn'], [player_tooltip player_id='318138' first='Sydney' last='Lund'], [player_tooltip player_id='375211' first='Claire' last='Nelson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='318198' first='Riley' last='Malloy'] would have this team ready to do more than what they did last year, but they added some other beasts also.&nbsp; Ranked as one of the best players in the nation, [player_tooltip player_id='318127' first='Henley' last='Anderson'] playing opposite of [player_tooltip player_id='318198' first='Riley' last='Malloy'] will be the BEST TANDEM of outside hitters in the nation.&nbsp; They might have to change the rules for teams that play against them and allow four blockers at the net in order for them to stand a chance.&nbsp; As if I was watching one of those infomercials in the 80's and 90's, “but wait…there's more!”&nbsp; They also added super setter [player_tooltip player_id='434231' first='Maggie' last='McCarroll'] and stud libero [player_tooltip player_id='306916' first='Rileigh' last='Butler'].&nbsp; Coach Sunder will do some great things with this “Murderer's Row” lineup.&nbsp; Stay tuned for more as I will be by their court numerous times to report on what I see.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Houston Skyline 16 Royal</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Most squads would be content to have the top ranked outside hitter in the state of Texas, [player_tooltip player_id='318128' first='Halle' last='Thompson'] and the top ranked setter, [player_tooltip player_id='318129' first='Blair' last='Thiebaud'] as the main weapons.&nbsp; But this team has those young studs and some other amazing players waiting to do some damage to anyone who steps in their way.&nbsp; Nadi'ya Shelby has a second level of hops that not many possess.&nbsp; She gets up in a hurry and destroys the ball.&nbsp; Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='197468' first='Jayden' last='Robinson'] might have the highest ceiling of anyone in the age group in my opinion.&nbsp; Having seen her up close and in person this past summer at one of our showcases, I marveled at her abilities.&nbsp; She is a superb athlete and a wonderful young lady with a great work ethic.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='209539' first='Lacy' last='Tinnell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='225147' first='Caroline' last='Prihoda'] will be amazing for this squad this season after getting some awesome work during their school seasons.&nbsp; With liberos Henlee Moszkowicz and [player_tooltip player_id='530380' first='Jenna' last='Thedford'] in the back row, I am not sure how opposing attackers will get the ball on the ground.&nbsp; I am really looking forward to seeing [player_tooltip player_id='356124' first='Taylor' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='435684' first='Madison' last='Barrera'] do some work in the middle.&nbsp; I will be following this team very closely and you should also.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always stay tuned for more articles on your favorite athletes.&nbsp; If you have anyone you think we should watch out for, please shoot me an email with some info at <a href="mailto:nov8vb@yahoo.com">nov8vb@yahoo.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 us, Prep Dig Family!&nbsp; Don't be afraid to interact with us.&nbsp; We love the likes, shares, and quotes/comments.&nbsp; Keep them coming!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->