River City Jrs 16 Navy Captures 16 Club Crown at AAU Nationals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] backed up the hype.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's reflect on our <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/06/all-16u-nebraska-teams-taking-on-aau-nationals/">preview of every Nebraska 16U team</a> participating at AAU Nationals. We paid special attention to the 16 Club division, which we said had a "trio of championship contenders" from the Cornhusker State. That premonition panned out well, and [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] 16 Navy did the honors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group has grabbed our attention in 2024, particularly during our on-site coverage of April's Show Me Qualifier. 16 Navy's roster has a unique medley of players from different high schools and classes, combining to form a strong all-around game. That balance was apparent in Orlando as [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] marched to the 16 Club championship in Orlando.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, let's take you through the highlights, storylines, and standout players from [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] 16 Navy's path to the podium at AAU Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">The Perfect Storm</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Winning a national championship is an extraordinary accomplishment, but [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] 16 Navy managed to do even more than that. This squad exhibited historic dominance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Navy's winning form immediately showed up with victories over Fight Club, SOSVBC, and Xcel to advance past Round 1. The matchup with SOSVBC offered an early resilience test with [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] dropping a deuce Set 1 before rallying to win in three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Day 2 started a run that few teams in Orlando can match. 16 Navy earned sweeps over SVA, EliteVBTC, and PGH Elite to extend its overall set victory streak to ten. Best of all, [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] remained in the Gold hunt with an unblemished record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Competition typically ramps up from Round 3 onward, but 16 Navy continued overwhelming opponents anyway. Sunday started with a Great Plains battle with [program_tooltip program_id='428743' first='VCNebraska' last=''] 16 Black--another team we identified as a title contender. [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] seized an early edge and never looked back en route to a 2-0 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Similar outcomes awaited in the other third-round matches against Bama Elite and Spiketown USA. 16 Navy wrapped up pool play with a 16-set winning streak and a 9-0 overall record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of course, the pesky challenger round can erase any progress made over the first three waves of competition. 16 Navy embraced the pressure and triumphed over STL Crossfire to enter the final bracket.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Championship Monday" has an interesting ring to it, but 16 Navy had already proven its aptitude regardless of the day. Bracket play began with another straight-set win, extending River City's sweep streak to nine matches. A quarterfinal win over Tsunami made it an even ten.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On to the semifinals. River City faced its first dose of adversity in a while as 1st Alliance claimed a 25-21 win in the opening set. This ended 16 Navy's set victory streak at 22 and put the Nebraska squad on the verge of elimination.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] was not deterred. The team forged a 25-23 response and went into the tiebreaker with a little extra momentum. 16 Navy polished off a 15-9 Set 3 win to reach the finale.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We had the perfect setup for a championship match. River City faced off with OP2 in a battle of 13-0 teams. The match started how you'd expect from such a duel: a deuce set unfolded with 16 Navy swiping a 26-24 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was the launching point for another sweep--this time, for the AAU national championship. 16 Navy completed its 12th straight-set win of the event to win the 16 Club title and bring the championship back to Nebraska.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">An Assortment of Stars</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":442789,"width":"241px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/07/652-Emeline-Myers.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-442789" style="width:241px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Myers</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] 16 Navy has everything needed for a championship run: firepower, ball control, and a lot of competitive spirit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ball-control players are often the unsung heroes of these title triumphs, so let's start there. The backcourt is stacked with [player_tooltip player_id='349472' first='Emeline' last='Myers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='349471' first='Elsie' last='Ryan'] leading the way. This pair has exchanged libero reps throughout the season, and Ryan can even play outside hitter if needed. Myers, meanwhile, is still ascending after becoming one of Class A's most productive liberos last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This isn't just about defenders, either. 16 Navy wields a setter duo that can turn any pass into a quick side-out. [player_tooltip player_id='349470' first='Ella' last='Frandson'] landed on our radar during last year's high school season and has found her groove in the [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] lineup. She gets all three hitters involved and will make fearless plays in the right-back area. [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] also deploys [player_tooltip player_id='349467' first='Mariah' last='Dutcher'] at the setter spot, and these transitions are seamless. Dutcher is due to rise in our rankings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Having two starting setters means we can examine another tandem at opposite. Kaylee Wray made a big impression at this position during AAUs and has vast experience at both pins. This multi-position strength also characterizes [player_tooltip player_id='497357' first='Maggie' last='Fiene']'s game, and we saw her adapt to different spots in Orlando.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The list goes on. [player_tooltip player_id='518569' first='Emma' last='Ammon']'s emergence on the right gave 16 Navy an extra spark during the bracket gauntlet. Her length presented a lot of favorable matchups, and [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] consistently capitalized. [player_tooltip player_id='458180' first='Violet' last='Woehler'] also generated highlight moments to give 16 Navy some unmatched depth on the right side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":556263,"width":"248px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"right"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/06/IMG_1832-edited.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-556263" style="width:248px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dutcher</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>River City's left sides were as stout as ever. Tre'Sor Porter, who plays up from the Class of 2027, remains an indispensable part of the starting rotation. Not only is she skying above blockers in the front row, but Porter's proficient passing has made her a six-rotation mainstay. Orlando was a reminder of this outside hitter's star potential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='349474' first='Sienna' last='Miller'] locked down the other side of the rotation. She was willing to take some tough swings throughout the tournament and found creative ways to "better the ball." These are cornerstone qualities for successful pin hitters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Finally, the middles. Jazmin Gracia-Alvarez has expanded her range with [program_tooltip program_id='428728' first='River' last='City Jrs'] and is developing into a formidable "gap" hitter. She doesn't have to be right next to the setter to do serious work along the net. Likewise, [player_tooltip player_id='458181' first='Faith' last='Wiechman'] carries the Class of 2027 banner and can overpower teams with her physicality.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This talented group was on the verge of something special this year. It all came together on one of club volleyball's biggest stages.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->