Feb Fiesta 17s Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tulsa plays host to the February Fiesta each year with a solid turnout. Just shy of 40 different clubs will be in attendance. Let's take a look at some of the teams and players in the 17s division. We might even make some predictions at the end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TPV 17-2:</strong> This team is a solid crew. All 6 servers can cause problems and create pressure on opposing teams. When you can serve and serve receive like this team can, you always have a chance at winning. [player_tooltip player_id='285744' first='Alia' last='DeBerry'] on the outside has really expanded her game to attack more of the court. They also utilize her in the back row as an offensive option as well. [player_tooltip player_id='742721' first='Caroline' last='Bergeret'] and [player_tooltip player_id='288992' first='Ally' last='Thompson'] both have great hands and good range as setters. Don't fall asleep on them attacking the ball too, both short and deep corners are options for both players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elevate 17.1:</strong> Elevate has the players and capability to make waves this weekend. Baylee Belt was a standout at Coweta. She is 6 rotations of value, with her digging in the back row and attacking in the front row. [player_tooltip player_id='740998' first='Kelsey' last='Patton'] is a top 10 MB in the class of 2026 for a reason. She is hard to stop offensively and she can put up a huge block. Someone has to get those middles the ball though. None other than [player_tooltip player_id='742725' first='Ellah' last='Burton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='288991' first='Isabella' last='Shondelmyer'] are at the helm and can get it done. Both of which are also on our initial rankings list. Add in a top 10 DS for her class in [player_tooltip player_id='297074' first='Emily' last='Whitten'] and you got a well rounded group. Her ability to read the game and cover lots of space in serve receive really frustrates opposing teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TPV 16-1:</strong> This group has the fire power to win it all. The question is do they have the consistency to string multiple sets together? [player_tooltip player_id='740536' first='Maddy' last='Hammer'] is just a freshman at Broken Arrow but Coach Ian Bullen has high hopes for her future. She has a great approach and swing. Her ability to attack from anywhere on the court makes her someone opposing coaches must keep tabs on. If [player_tooltip player_id='741365' first='Laila' last='Jackson'] can control her swing, she can absolutely take over matches. Don't overlook [player_tooltip player_id='741012' first='Jordyn' last='Payne'] in the middle, she may not be the tallest but I promise she is athletic, disciplined and makes an impact on the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another solid weekend of volleyball here in Oklahoma. My prediction is the top 3 will be ALL the Oklahoma teams listed above. All three teams have the capability to win it all but here is my predicition: TPV 17-2 wins the title behind the top tier setting of Caroline and Ally combined with the timely hitting of Alia. TPV 16-1 will be a close runner up with the likes of [player_tooltip player_id='740536' first='Maddy' last='Hammer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='741366' first='Addison' last='Hendren']. While Elevate 17.1 takes out one of the out of town teams to claim 3rd behind too much offense from their middles, Patton and Hall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->