Triple Crown NIT 16s Power Pools

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today we take a look at the teams who were selected for [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] Pool play when the invitational kicks off this weekend. As a reminder, teams picked for the [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] Pool are deemed by some to be the elite in their age division. They will battle it out right away with nothing to lose as they will still make the tournament round. Here are the teams from Missouri and Kansas City in the 16s age group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HPSTL 16 Royal</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last weekend, HPSTL 16 Royal took care of business in their bid weekend, going perfect in seven matches. In the four play dates, they finished 5th in the 16s-18s Gateway League. Last year, they finished 9th in the 15s division of the USAV 15 Open. They are a deep and talented team led by a trio of Prep Dig top-ten players: middle [player_tooltip player_id='544673' first='Marlee' last='Steiner'], pin [player_tooltip player_id='475322' first='Kate' last='Sherry'], and setter [player_tooltip player_id='544669' first='Gabby' last='Schwoeppe']. This team has many other players with experience and they are a team who trust in each other's skills and talents. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] 16 Johnson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've seen Dave Johnson's squad live this season and when they are on, they are on. They won four matches in the HOA [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League qualifier, not dropping a set. They followed that up by going 5-0 in the first play date, beating another [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] Pool selectee in [program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last=''] 16 Elite. They are deep on the pin with [player_tooltip player_id='446328' first='Tori' last='Massengill'], ranked 4th in the 2027 class in Missouri. [player_tooltip player_id='446324' first='Sasha' last='Cromer'] runs a fast offense and keeps the defense on their toes. This team finished 11th last summer in the 15 Open division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last=''] 16 Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last=''] went 4-1 in the second [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League play date with their lone loss coming to [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] 16 Johnson. They made the Open division last summer at nationals and finished in the top 30. Christi Lutman is an experienced coach who does a good job of getting the most out of her talent. This team is full of talent with [player_tooltip player_id='474008' first='Gabrielle' last='Powell'] leading the way from the setter position. She played an instrumental role in Blue Valley's North season as the second setter next to [player_tooltip player_id='154041' first='Logan' last='Parks']. [player_tooltip player_id='485603' first='Charlee' last='Pollard'], a 5'11" pin is a player to watch after a strong season for Summit Christian. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->