Triple Crown NIT Roundtable – Coach Mike DZ’s Version Vol 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most anticipated tournaments at the beginning of each club season is the Triple Crown NIT because of all of the talent that will be under one roof.&nbsp; It will be held in Kansas City, MO on February 17-19^th.&nbsp; Prep Dig California has three scouts who will be covering the tourney.&nbsp; I will be joining Shannique Soliatia and Michelle Bamford at the tourney and we will each be offering our perspective on teams and players to watch out for during the weekend.&nbsp; Let's “Dig” in to my take.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17s</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What Cali Power Pool Teams Will Be Contending For a Championship On Day Three?&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are some amazing teams in action this year and after watching this age group very closely in all of the large national tournaments last season, I am very intrigued to see them compete at a high level again during this wonderful event.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mizuno Long Beach 17 Rockstar made their way to the big stage in Open after last year's awesome run they had in the Salt Lake City National Qualifier.  Anything is possible when you have the Ostovar sisters running your squad.  [player_tooltip player_id='228680' first='Ayva' last='Ostovar'] is a fantastic setter who is very fundamentally sound in the position.  She does such a great job of playing defense out of the right back zone and knows exactly where her hitters like the ball placed.  She talks to her hitters well on which routes she expects and has a lot of experience battling against open level teams.  [player_tooltip player_id='228682' first='Kayla' last='Ostovar'] is an elite libero who commands the court and does such a great job of covering all of her hitters.  I really like how she uses her platform to create angles and keep the ball in system for her setters.  The star of the show is [player_tooltip player_id='228678' first='Layli' last='Ostovar'] who can score in bunches from every location on the court.  She has been playing up with this squad for a few years now and is a true show-stopper.  [player_tooltip player_id='185908' first='Sunni' last='Skipps'] is a beast on the right side and plays very dynamically as an attacker.  [player_tooltip player_id='366673' first='Brianna' last='Brewer'] brings some firepower to this squad from the left side.  She can get up in a hurry and bring some heat with her gifted right arm.  Middle Layla Moore is a prospect who brings a lot of athleticism to this team.  She is great at moving laterally along the net while blocking and can provide a big target for quick sets.  Right side [player_tooltip player_id='538063' first='Preslie' last='Saunders'] also helps spread the attack out for this team by swinging well down the line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Surfside 17 Legends Loria have been one of the most dominant southern cali teams in recent years and this year is no exception.&nbsp; Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='188236' first='Kaci' last='Demaria'] is no stranger to anyone involved with volleyball as she is one of the most exceptional attackers in the state.&nbsp; Middle [player_tooltip player_id='366672' first='Kalyssa' last='Blackshear'] is dominant at both blocking and attacking for this squad and we will likely see her do a lot of damage at the net.&nbsp; With a back row of [player_tooltip player_id='292395' first='Cece' last='Terpening'] and [player_tooltip player_id='366680' first='Olivia' last='Foye'], this team has their ball control ready to take on any server and attackers.&nbsp; They are both solid at every skill set needed to keep their team in system.&nbsp; Outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='401372' first='Simone' last='Roslon'] has truly come into her own this season and is already scoring at a very high clip for this squad.&nbsp; She brings a lot of power to this team and takes a lot of pressure off of the other attackers.&nbsp; Right side Addyson Benefield and setter/hitter [player_tooltip player_id='292903' first='Emma' last='Rowell'] give a lot to this team.&nbsp; Rowell delivers the ball well as a setter and can bring some power on the attack if need be.&nbsp; She is stealthily athletic and jumps very well to battle at the net.&nbsp; This team will be in the running for sure.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>What Non-Power Pool Teams Could Sneak Up On People?&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norcal 17 Black has been one of the best teams in the northern California region the past few years.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='366674' first='Lucy' last='Chertock'] is a powerful attacker who can score from any location on the court.&nbsp; Opposing coaches should game plan for where she is in the serve receive lineup.&nbsp; This young lady can touch over ten feet in the air and sends over huge bombs on her opponents.&nbsp; This team will go as far as her golden right arm will take them.&nbsp; Middle [player_tooltip player_id='366852' first='Sophia' last='Vella'] is a big target for her setters and always runs her routes on time for quicks.&nbsp; I like the way she stops on a dime when she sees the dig or pass come earlier than expected and drives toward her setter to stay on time.&nbsp; Transition like this will be huge for this team to compete and get into the gold bracket.&nbsp; Libero [player_tooltip player_id='366846' first='Maren' last='O'Farrell'] has been doing a great job of moving to the ball with her heels hardly ever touching the floor.&nbsp; This kind of footwork will be key to playing fast and furious for this squad.&nbsp; I also love how setter Sophia Allison has been delivering the ball to everyone.&nbsp; She is pinpoint accurate and truly understands tempo for the left side.&nbsp; The ball comes out very clean from her mirror-image hands and just floats perfectly to a tee for the hitters to swing off of.&nbsp; I think they could be ready for a solid run at Triple Crown.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Who are the big time players who will be having a huge impact on the tournament?&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the big names like [player_tooltip player_id='366674' first='Lucy' last='Chertock'], [player_tooltip player_id='228678' first='Layli' last='Ostovar'], and [player_tooltip player_id='188236' first='Kaci' last='Demaria'] have already been shared in this article, but there are some more players who will have a big impact.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='366850' first='Nia' last='Thompson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='366845' first='Quinn' last='Loper'] of WAVE 17 Juliana are hard hitting and high-flying left sides who can smash the ball with authority.&nbsp; They are two names who you have to watch for their fireworks.&nbsp; WAVE Setter [player_tooltip player_id='393712' first='Helen' last='Beary'] is one of the most dynamic players who can set and hit for their squad.&nbsp; Check her out and you will see what I am talking about.&nbsp; Coast players [player_tooltip player_id='366848' first='Ava' last='Poinsett'], [player_tooltip player_id='295471' first='Ariel' last='Chime'], [player_tooltip player_id='398333' first='Stella' last='Dillon'] and Jolyna Salas can ball.&nbsp; They will have their squad ready to compete for the gold bracket also.&nbsp; Give them a look and you will not be disappointed.&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:Michael@prepdig.com">Michael@prepdig.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 -->