Triple Crown NIT Brings Out The Best Of The Best! Part II

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The anticipated Triple Crown NIT came and went, showcasing great talent on every single court. It was three days of volleyball held at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri, February 17-19th. Hundreds of teams, thousands of players, family, friends, and fans made that trek through good and bad weather to watch and be part of great competition. There were so many familiar and unfamiliar names and faces. Triple Crown NIT was a great platform to see players in their element, finding those hidden gems that we can showcase and share. Meet eight players below who may or may not be familiar names on this platform being recognized as some of the best of the best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":513847,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Arden Billingsley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"32561","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Rodriguez High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Absolute 17 Black Verbal Commit: Jacksonville University","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eArden Billingsleyu003c/strongu003e is an accurate and consistent setter with hands that provide creativity with her sets. Coached by Jacob Spain and Nicholas Honrada, she can vary the speed, height, and placement of her sets to keep blockers off balance and can create scoring opportunities.  She has great ball control, allowing her players to handle passes of different speeds and trajectories effectively. Whether it's a perfectly placed pass or a difficult overpass, Billingsley can read the game quickly and make split-second decisions to deliver the most effective set in any given situation. She can also manipulate the ball with precision to deliver quality sets to her hitters.  Arden was a setter who stood out at Triple Crown and is deserving to be part of the best of the best series.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["469035"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":513859,"_player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003ePeyton Recinosu003c/strongu003e is being highlighted for her fearless attitude towards defense and her willingness to sacrifice her body to make defensive plays by diving, digging, and sliding on the ground, going after balls. Coached by Yvette Ybarra and Maria Olilang, she understood the importance of making defensive plays to keep the ball off the ground and was willing to throw herself to the floor to save a point for her team.  She is proactive in reading the opponent's attacks, anticipating where the ball will be hit, and positioning herself to make a play. When she saw an opportunity to make a dig or a pass, Recinos reacted quickly and decisively, often diving to reach the ball. While diving for the ball requires courage and commitment, it also requires skill and technique which she used to execute properly.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["507755"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":513863,"_player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eKaliya Ndiayeu003c/strongu003e has a crucial role in offense and defense.  Coached by Jonathan Predney and Kaila Ames, she would kill the ball over the net before the opposing blockers had a chance to set up their defense. This requires her to have good agility and explosive jumping abilities.  Ndiaye's effective blocking required quick reflexes, good timing, and reading the opposing team's hitters to anticipate where the ball would go. She disrupted the opponent's offense, forced errors, and created scoring opportunities for her team. She is a versatile player who contributed both offensively and defensively. She used her blocking skills, quick attacks, and defensive prowess to help her team succeed on the court.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":513878,"_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Marlee Fakatoumafi","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"32564","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Elite Performance Prep Academy","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"Vegas Aces 15 UnderArmour","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eMarlee Fakatoumafi u003c/strongu003eis a versatile outside hitter who contributed to various aspects of the game, including passing and back-row defense. Coached by Lillie Redmond and Kristin Koochi, she is a skilled passer,  receiving the serve and passing the ball accurately to the setter to start the offense. Good passing is essential for maintaining ball control and setting up attacks. Fakatoumafi has solid footwork, and ball control to pass effectively, especially when faced with tough serves. Her defense involved quick reactions, good positioning, and the ability to move smoothly and efficiently around the court to get to the ball.  Her versatility allowed her to contribute in multiple facets of the game scoring while on outside, digging in the middle back, and getting aces when she served.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["466229"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":513885,"_player_evaluations_4_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eMasina Ogbechieu003c/strongu003e is an important offensive weapon for her team.  Coached by Scott and Jennifer Baklenko, she has excellent timing, reading abilities, and jumping skills to effectively block the opponent's attacks. She can close the block, by covering the space between and minimizing any gaps that the ball could pass through. Her blocking disrupts the opponent's offense, creates scoring opportunities, and provides defensive support. In addition to her blocking duties, Ogbechie is a powerful hitter who can deliver strong attacks from the right side of the court. She has solid hitting techniques, timing, and the ability to generate power and accuracy in her attacks. Her attacks are crucial for putting pressure on the opposing team's defense, scoring points, and keeping the offense balanced. She excels at both blocking at the net and attacking the ball which combines defensive skills with offensive firepower.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":513897,"_player_evaluations_5_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"Josephine Park","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"5'3u0022","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"32561","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"Samueli Academy","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"Forza1 North 17 ONE","_player_evaluations_5_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_5_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_5_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Josephine u0022Josieu0022 Park is a setter with good hands. Coached by Dani McCree and Kurt Vlaasich, she can softly and precisely contact the ball, providing her hitters with a well-placed set that is easy to approach and attack. Her soft touch minimizes the impact of the set on the hitter, allowing for smoother transitions and more effective kills. Park is reliable and consistent in her setting technique. She can replicate her sets with precision and accuracy, regardless of the situation or pressure she may be under. This reliability instills confidence in her teammates and contributes to the overall stability of the team's offense. She is adaptable and can adjust her sets based on various factors such as the pass quality, the positioning of blockers, and the preferences of her hitters. The qualities Park has in her setting technique possessing a soft touch, accuracy, consistency, adaptability, creativity, and excellent ball control makes her a dependable setter.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["482017"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_player_featured_image":513887,"_player_evaluations_6_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eAudrey Mcffadenu003c/strongu003e uses two hands to get under the ball (pictured), which enables her to have greater control and accuracy in her sets. It allows her to manipulate the ball's trajectory and speed more effectively, setting up her teammates for a successful attack. Coached by Kathleen McKienzie and Tim May, she can adjust her hand position and setting technique based on the speed, height, and trajectory of the pass she receives. Mcffaden has the flexibility to make split-second decisions and adapt her sets to the situation at hand. She spreads the ball around giving pins and middles the opportunity to attack.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["223808"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"u003cstrongu003eNazare Juddu003c/strongu003e leads by example through her relentless pursuit of every ball and her refusal to let anything hit the floor uncontested. Coached by Juliana Conn and Brennan Dean, she is not afraid to make controlled dives that result in successful defensive plays. Judd's quickness was essential for covering ground rapidly, especially in the backcourt where defensive plays occurred. Her agility allowed her to move swiftly to the right spots to receive serves, dig balls, and make defensive plays. She was able to react to fast-paced attacks and adjusted her positioning accordingly. Alongside her speed, her agility was crucial. She would change directions rapidly, pivot, and move laterally to track the trajectory of the ball and position herself effectively for defensive plays. Her agility helped her cover a larger area of the court and she made plays that required sudden changes in direction. Her qualities made her instrumental in anchoring the team's defense.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65dae2c549805"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I would like to say Thank You to everyone who supports our platform of recognizing youth volleyball players. Many of these players are so dedicated to the sport, their clubs, and their goals that they often miss out on childhood adventures such as parties, school dances, and more. Continue to join us as we turn players into prospects, one article at a time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A great way to support our volleyball athletes and teams is by sharing our stories with family, friends, and fans. This can be done by subscribing or sharing on social media. Follow Prep Dig and Prep Dig California on their many different social media platforms ie: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Sometimes unintentional errors happen. For any corrections, please email them to niqnaq23@gmail.com and put “PrepDig correction” in the subject line. Thank you for the support and happy reading!! *If you are a player, please claim or create your FREE player profile.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->