Sunshine Qualifier: Study Guide For 16 Open
Let the bids begin. Or should we say the “Big Time Bids” with the 16s and 17s starting their quest for an open bid (The 17s did have a qualifier at Northern Lights in January). The Sunshine Qualifier in Orlando…
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Continue ReadingLet the bids begin. Or should we say the “Big Time Bids” with the 16s and 17s starting their quest for an open bid (The 17s did have a qualifier at Northern Lights in January). The Sunshine Qualifier in Orlando will welcome some of the top teams in the country where they will go toe to toe over the weekend vying for the title, but also land in the top three. We’re going to take a look at the 17 Open and 16 Open fields and who could be winning a title and punching an Open ticket to Vegas.
The Favorites
The top three seeds are Legacy 16 Adidas, Mintonette m.61, and Dallas Skyline 16 Royal. Rightfully so. Dallas Skyline 16 Royal will be looking to defend their 15 Open USAV title from last year, Mintonette m.61 was the national runner up last year in USAV 15 Open and won 15 Open AAU, and Legacy just won Triple Crown defeating Mintonette in three sets in Kansas City two weeks ago. They have proven to be the best time and time again. Skyline dropped two matches the final day on Triple Crown to Sports Performance and SCVC, they will be looking to regroup. Legacy and Mintonette could potentially see each other quite a bit this season with a similar schedule. Another team to watch will be Arizona Storm 16 Thunder. Storm has a really strong middle presence with Hayden Conner and Brooke Harwood. On the outside they will have high flyer Madison Crnjac who has score plenty of points.
The Dark Horses
This tournament is ridiculous with high level teams who are accustomed to being at the open level. Toledo Volleyball Club (TVC) already has a win over Legacy at Central Zone and finished second at St. Louis Presidents Day, they have the five seed. TI Elite 16.1 is a very dangerous team after watching them at Central Zone in Indianapolis earlier this month. Lydia Stahley is a six rotation pin that will need to be on the radar of plenty of college coaches. She has a lot of length and can score from anywhere. A pool that will be interesting to watch is with Tribe 16 Elite Cardinal and AZ Sky 16 Gold. There is a lot of firepower between these two teams. Gigi Artiles is a big time point scorer for Tribe and so is outside hitter Mia Gold. AZ Sky 16 Gold was impressive at Triple Crown and has a setter who is extremely dynamic in Vivian Hickman. I could see one of these two teams making it to gold on day three. Another team that will be sneaky good, but people definitely know the name is Houston Juniors 16 Elite. This squad with 7-2 at Triple Crown and will have a high level right side in 6’5 lefty Sarah Hickman.
Who To Watch
Hayden Rodriguez – TVC 16 Black
This Toledo squad is so gritty and Hayden Rodriguez is a catalyst behind that. She is an athletic, physical setter who is the maestro to this offense. She can go head to head at the net with a big block where she can find the open attacker or take it herself.
Isabella Umpierre – WPVC 16 Armour Black
This Winter Park, Florida team can really defend and has a bunch of attackers who aren’t afraid to take a rip. One of these attackers is Isabella Umpierre who is a hard swinging, lefty right side. She was impressive at Triple Crown where she is able to go big or use the block or a roll shot to score points.
Simone Searles – A5 16 Gabe
A5 is the seven seed heading into the weekend, but you can never count out A5 in any event. Simone Searles hits an extremely heavy ball from the right side. She is another one who isn’t afraid to go for the big point.
Ava Wang and Noelle Vanacht – Vision 16 Gold
Vision will be making the cross country flight from Northern California to Orlando. I was able to see this team at Triple Crown where they were in one of the power pools. They have quite the defensive duo in Ava Wang and Noelle Vanacht. These two have seen time at the libero position and have found a way to keep this team in system where they have a high powered offense.