Triple Crown NIT 15s Power Pools

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are finally to Triple Crown NIT week. This is arguably the best tournament going each year as teams from across USAV, AAU, and JVA come together under one roof for outstanding volleyball. The excitement surrounding the tournament includes many top teams opening up in [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] Pools, battling it out without the fear of being knocked out of title contention. We haven't covered the 15s much yet this season but today I highlight the teams from Missouri or Kansas City that earned a spot in the [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] Pools as one of the top teams in their age division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 15 Black has earned a spot in the [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] Pools and has been off to a good start at the beginning of the season. They went undefeated in the [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League qualifier, followed by going 4-1 on the first play date. They started the season as the defending national champion in the 14U Open division for USAV and AAU. [player_tooltip player_id='536308' first='Haedyn' last='Lynnes'] is a lights-out defender who makes things happen in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 3rd-place team from Las Vegas in the USAV tournament has also been invited to play in the [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] Pools. HPSTL 15 Royal out of St. Louis is another team that should turn some heads this weekend with their length and aggressive offense. We mentioned last week how they played up in the 16-18s division in the Gateway League which should prepare them for tough competition this weekend. [player_tooltip player_id='729470' first='Sarah' last='Albers'] is a player who has found success on all levels from high school, club, and beach, and is a player to keep your eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heading back to Kansas City, [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] 15 Mize finished 14th last year at nationals and has a spot in opening [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] Pools. Like [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''], they went 4-1 in the first play date for [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League, losing to [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] in two hard-fought contests. Setter Ellen Dorsey had a strong freshman season for St. James, running a smooth offense, and will work to set hitters like high school teammate [player_tooltip player_id='518353' first='Mya' last='Lee'] to create magic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final team in the elite group will be Mavs 15 Elite. They finished 26th at nationals last year and so far this year went 5-0 at [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League, avenging a loss to the Topeka Saints in the qualifier. [player_tooltip player_id='518379' first='Grace' last='Bengfort'] had close to 200 kills for Shawnee Mission Northwest this fall. [player_tooltip player_id='635415' first='Grace' last='Engeman'] was an all-state selection as a freshman for Adrian High School and is another talented setter in this deep class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->