Tour of Texas Stop #1 Preview Vol 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024-2025 club season is now underway and there are a few big tournaments that teams will be competing in to try different lineups and see how their season will shape up.&nbsp; One of the biggest tourney's in the state of Texas usually brings together the best competition that there is to offer from all over.&nbsp; The level of competition is so great that teams from all over the country fly in for it.&nbsp; There are teams from Georgia, California, Illinois and Utah who are slated to join the best in Texas.&nbsp; The level of talent in these gyms that are spread across the Houston area will be top notch.&nbsp; Let's take a look at what teams and players you should watch out for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>16 Invitational Power Pools</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Power Pool #1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This pool is littered with top notch talent across every roster.&nbsp; We will start with the top seed, TAV 16 Black Paul.&nbsp; We have just featured them in a recent article and every word was backed up with their first place finish at the first tourney of the year.&nbsp; The dynamic duo of setters Sophee Peterson and [player_tooltip player_id='534299' first='Brynn' last='Stephens'] seems almost unstoppable.&nbsp; I am actively working on the next rankings update and it is&nbsp; very tough to distinguish which is better as they both bring some solid skills to the table.&nbsp; The level of attackers that they deliver the ball to are out of this world.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='534308' first='Lexi' last='Martin'], [player_tooltip player_id='534300' first='Nyla' last='Livings'], and [player_tooltip player_id='694108' first='Allie' last='Hudgins'] are absolutely amazing.&nbsp; This team is so spectacular that they have Miss Hudgins traveling all the way from Austin to compete with them in Dallas.&nbsp; That should tell you all you need to know about this level of talent.&nbsp; What I am very excited to see is the defense on this squad.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='534316' first='Ansley' last='Shafer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='443042' first='Siena' last='Ebert'] are studs in the back row and they will keep the offense flowing at an all-time high.&nbsp; Club V is extremely well known in the national scene and this squad took fifth place at last season's USA National Championships.&nbsp; They traveled all the way from Utah to play with the best of Texas.&nbsp; They are led by Ava Burgess who earned All-Tournament honors this summer.&nbsp; She is back and better than ever gaining tons of experience in her high school season.&nbsp; Her strength, tall frame and natural athleticism will be on full display during the tourney and we cannot wait to see her in action.&nbsp; Setters Miyah Lish and Zamari Christensen lead the charge dishing the rock.&nbsp; This team is filled with phenomenal ball control and high volleyball IQ.&nbsp; The third seed in this pool is WAVE 16 Scott from California.&nbsp; They also tied for fifth place in last season's National Championships.&nbsp; The stars of the show on this star-studded roster are outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='500618' first='Ireland' last='Real'] and setter Emery Gonzalez.&nbsp; These two explosive stars are highly ranked on our list for a very good reason.&nbsp; With teammates like high-flying [player_tooltip player_id='467596' first='Jaycee' last='Mack'], super tall [player_tooltip player_id='715898' first='Audie' last='Caban'], and [player_tooltip player_id='545226' first='Stella' last='Delgadillo'], they will be ready for any opponent who steps in their way.&nbsp; This team is ready to prove that they are the team to beat in this tourney.&nbsp; I think that they firepower that they bring to the table will be tough to deal with.&nbsp; The fourth seed in this tourney is the hometown team of [program_tooltip program_id='510661' first='Houston' last='Skyline'] 16 Royal.&nbsp; They have two amazing setters in Tinsley Welker and [player_tooltip player_id='762440' first='Sarah' last='Carrejo'].&nbsp; Outside hitters Madysen Chime, [player_tooltip player_id='534319' first='Aspen' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='693897' first='Caylee' last='Young'], and [player_tooltip player_id='534384' first='Jordan' last='Morrow'] are very powerful attackers at the net.&nbsp; Middles [player_tooltip player_id='534395' first='Jacey' last='Carroll'], [player_tooltip player_id='762447' first='Gracie' last='Hobin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='443007' first='Amaya' last='Langellier'] hold down the fort at the net.&nbsp; We will see if they can start this season off with the same momentum that they finished last season with as they also tied for fifth in the entire nation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Power Pool #2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dallas Skyline 16 Royal Whitney is the top seed in this stacked pool.&nbsp; They are coming off of a second place finish in their first tourney and looking to keep their winning ways going strong.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='433665' first='Ryan' last='Spencer'], [player_tooltip player_id='534313' first='Grace' last='Pinegar'] and [player_tooltip player_id='534412' first='Kharley' last='Smith'] are sure to be some strong offensive reasons why they will be hard to stop.&nbsp; I am not sure that there is a better libero than [player_tooltip player_id='412438' first='Dakota' last='Huynh'] in the back row digging up everything that comes her way.&nbsp; She will surely be tested in this entire tourney but I think she is ready for the challenge.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='413355' first='Camryn' last='Penn'] is a sniper with the ball in her hands as she delivers the rock to all of her talented attackers.&nbsp; Seeded second in the pool is [program_tooltip program_id='431200' first='Madfrog' last=''] 16 National Green.&nbsp; We just covered them in a recent article and think they are very talented.&nbsp; The defense of [player_tooltip player_id='433667' first='Savannah' last='Sterna'] and [player_tooltip player_id='433561' first='Karsyn' last='Evans'] has proven to be extremely solid for this squad as they are coming off of a third place finish in their first tourney.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='433624' first='Audree' last='Hughes'], [player_tooltip player_id='534328' first='Vanessa' last='Glenn'] and highly touted outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='534291' first='Gentry' last='Barker'] are looking to score every time they get the ball.&nbsp; We think this team is a sleeper to go all the way this season.&nbsp; Stay tuned for more on how they fare as we will be watching in person very closely.&nbsp; The third seed in this pool is Excel 16 National Red. &nbsp;They have reloaded their roster from last season's open level squad and we are eager to see how they fare against this high level competition.&nbsp; Most of their starters from last year are gone to other squads but they have a few talented players.&nbsp; Setters Malia McNeal and Maddie Wooten are looking to play fast and move the ball around to all of their hitters as evenly as possible.&nbsp; Middle [player_tooltip player_id='433670' first='Tito' last='Abiba'] is big and strong and can really thump the ball with the best of them on quick attacks.&nbsp; Right side Gabby Wenger battles at the net very well and is a big time blocker.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='433628' first='Chloe' last='Flowers'] is super fast all over the court and has shown exceptional ball control skills in the first tourney of the year.&nbsp; The fourth seed in this pool is A5 161 Gabe.&nbsp; This club is no stranger to anyone who knows high level volleyball from around the nation.&nbsp; They are a staple in the Open division of nationals and have traveled all the way from Atlanta to compete with the best. &nbsp;They are led by setters Marissa Jones and McKenna Willard.&nbsp; Both of these youngsters can thread the needle and have impeccable form and technique.&nbsp; Middles Destinee Chukelu and Kylee Evans will be tough to deal with as they are extremely strong and athletic at the net.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 reposting on X or Instagram or sharing on Facebook.&nbsp; Thanks for following Prep Dig Family!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->