The All-Deck Team: 16U Presidents Day Dream Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The [program_tooltip program_id='430193' first='Kansas' last='Networks Volleyball Club'] is hosting a tournament on February 17 and 18.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I scouted four matches Sunday in the 16U Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This report features athletes not mentioned in the previous two scouting reports today. They all competed in 16 Division matches on Sunday. If I was going to build a club team from scratch I would pick each of these young ladies for that roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='644731' first='Emily' last='Criqui']</strong>, 5'7”, OH, Marais Des Cygnes Valley, '28 (Emporia 16-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I can't believe I am even writing this but one of the most impressive players in the 16U Division is an eighth grader and won't graduate until 2028. Criqui has natural ability and has been well coached by someone. She filled up her stat sheet in the match against the Crush 16-2 team to the tune of 11 digs, seven kills, five serve receptions, two aces, and one block. She is a six-rotation stud in the making.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alina Esparza-Ramirez</strong>, 5'0”, L, Wichita Southeast, '26 (FSC Cougars 16-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ramirez was one of two liberos who stood out in Sunday's action, and I would pick her for any team I was putting together. Her on-court attitude and energy just shine and teammates feed off of her leadership. She finished with 16 digs, 16 serve receptions, two kills, and three aces in the match I scouted. Esparza-Ramirez is a ball-of-fire and the kind of unselfish, high-energy,  player that college programs want to build around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Shyann Harris</strong>, 5'6”, S/DS, Marion, '26 (KS Networks 16-4)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I saw the KS Networks team play twice, both times they seemed overmatched at times, but one gritty player who kept them in both matches was Marion's Harris. She is a six-rotation player who can play any position on the floor other than the middle. I think her collegiate future would be as a defensive specialist and second setter. She finished with a two-match total of 15 serve receptions, seven digs, and three kills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lilly Klingsporn, </strong>5'8”, MH, Wichita South, '26, (FSC Cougars 16-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Klingsporn has a big reach and the awareness to stay out of the net. She is coachable and listens to advice. The Wichita South prospect can jump but could improve her recruitment stock by improving her upper body strength and flexibility. She finished five kills and one block in the match I scouted. She plays front row only for the Cougars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Trystan Sowers</strong>, 5'9”, MH, Lyndon, '26 (Emporia 16-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sowers is a multi-sport prospect who also plays basketball for the Lyndon Tigers. She is quite athletic and bouncy. She can block and hit. She finished with four kills in the match I watched. She played primarily just on the front row for Emporia's 16-1 team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alyssa Nuessen</strong>, 5'6”, OH, Wichita Southeast, '26, (FSC Cougars 16-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nuessen is a quiet athlete who just takes care of business. There is nothing flashy about her game, but she is a grinder. She finished five kills and two digs against the KS Networks 16-4 team. She has a heavy serve and can set if needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tatum Tauer</strong>, 5'6”, DS/Libero, Augusta, '26, ([program_tooltip program_id='428899' first='Wichita' last='Legacy'] 16-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a couple of front-row-only players on my roster, I need to add another back-row player. Augusta's Tauer who plays for [program_tooltip program_id='428899' first='Wichita' last='Legacy'] 16-1 would be my selection. She plays a fearless game and has a sneaky good serve. She had four aces and four digs in the match I scouted. She could improve her game by lowering her receiving platform and working on her lateral movement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->