Tribe Topples over Dynasty to Advance to 17 Elite Top 8

<h6 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Be sure to follow @lshotvb on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">Tik Tok </a>and <a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a> for all things volleyball!</em></h6>   <h6 class="wp-block-heading">–</h6>   <p>From the start to the finish, this match had the drama! </p>   <p>Two of the best teams with some of the biggest names in the country, this match could've very well belonged in the Elite 8 on Monday. Tribe came into this one with a 3-2 record and Dynasty was steady cruising after losing their opening match of the tournament. And from how the first set was going, it was looking as though Dynasty was going to continue to cruise through.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Set 1</h2>   <p>From the jump, it was ALL Dynasty in set one. Going up as much as 4-12 in the early going, this group was just finding all of the right spots. Despite what the score would've told otherwise, this was a very clean game on both sides. Tribe was launching missile after missile. Dynasty was finding ways to lock down defensively and take care of the ball in transition super well. <strong>Abigail Mullen</strong> (USC), one of the best attackers in the country had the Midas Touch. Almost more effective from the back row than she is attacking at the net, Tribe was struggling to get a grasp on her ball. Dynasty was doing the little things that took them the distance.</p>   <p>Tribe was doing the most they could in this set, but just barely missing their marks. They'd go down as much as 9-21 before we saw the tides begin to shift. With a lucky error on the Dynasty side to give them a much needed side out, Tribe would call on <strong>Alison Natt </strong>(Boston) to be their savior. After a handful of aces and incredible defense, this Tribe team found themselves with new life! Natt would close up this match at 19-24 before Dynasty took their first time out. The match would finally end with a deep corner push by <strong>Reese Messer </strong>(USC) at 20-25. But this mini-run by Tribe would be all they needed to push that momentum throughout the rest of the match.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Set 2</h2>   <p>Unlike the first set, nobody really had full control of this game. Back and forth, blow for blow, this was more of the style of volleyball I was anticipating from both teams. Tribe would change things up and bring on S <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='455072' first='Larissa' last='Casatti']</strong> to aid in a 5-2 system. This proved to be a real nice move to tap on to the strengths of their entire bench. Tribe was also finding great success with getting their middles involved in this one. Set 1 saw a very pin heavy offense, but utilizing these middles not only saw production, but opened up a lot of different avenues for all to score. </p>   <p>With neither team leading by more than three points throughout the first half of the set, once the score hit 20, it was a side out frenzy on both sides. With a pair of TOs by Dynasty through the last six point stretch, it was the grit by Tribe that really changes the tide. L <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='455044' first='Zoey' last='Matias']</strong> (Missouri) was grabbing everything in the back row. No shot was great enough for her to pick up. Matias was huge in set 2, ultimately leading them to a 26-24 decision.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Set 3</h2>   <p>Everything on the line. Whoever takes this set 3 would not only takes the match, but they move onto the Top 8 of the 17 Elite bracket. It went just how you'd expect it to go. No balls are hitting the floor and the swings are getting heavier. It was a bloodbath. Mullen was scoring with a little bit extra on her swings. Both of Tribe's pins, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='201887' first='Kelly' last='Kinney'] </strong>(Minnesota) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='455001' first='Tekoa' last='Barnes']</strong> (Oklahoma), were on their A game in this one. It was the battle of the pins.</p>   <p>Trailing 8-11, Tribe would dig deep and go on a 7-2 run late in the third. In another deuce decision, Tribe would take the match by way of a 15-13 decision. Barnes would pocket both of Tribe's last two points with rockets. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dynasty Highlights</h2>   <p>With as much fire power as Dynasty has, it's critical to note just how good their defensive line is. Headed by L <strong>Hadley Porter</strong> and OH <strong>Jenna McClure</strong>. These two are lights out in the back row. They are able to take care of so much space, it opens up a lot of opportunity for attackers like Mullen to be the big scorers that they are. McClure was also an incredible cog in Dynasty's offense as well. At only 5'8, her ability to leap out of the gym and blast the hands of the block is amazing. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tribe Highlights</h2>   <p>This team not only has a dream team starting six, but this depth on the bench is second to none! <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='184108' first='Charlotte' last='Glass'] </strong>(Duke) continues to shine as one of the top setters in the 2025 class. Glass just offers so much more than your average setter. With her ability to be such an effective offensive weapon, her constant threat alone leaves her hitters in really nice situations to score.</p>