ZBT Recap: 16’s Bid Winners

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past weekend showcased some of the best talent in the region, with teams battling for bids to Nationals. The 16s division was highly competitive, and three standout teams—NORCO 16 Black, Colorado Elite 16 Grizzly, and [program_tooltip program_id='429639' first='Front' last='Range'] 16 Black—earned their bids. Let's take a closer look at what made these teams so successful, starting with NORCO.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">NORCO 16 Black</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NORCO has long been one of Colorado's premier clubs, producing college-level talent year after year. Their 16 Black squad is no exception, featuring a well-rounded lineup that excelled throughout the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most impressive performances came from libero [player_tooltip player_id='734457' first='Avery' last='Smiley']. Her defensive presence was undeniable—she covered the block exceptionally well, picked up seemingly impossible balls, and showcased elite reading and reaction skills.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Setter Brooke Zink also made a significant impact. She displayed solid consistency, even when forced off the net, delivering well-placed, high-speed sets to her hitters. Her connection with the team's middle, [player_tooltip player_id='734452' first='Evelyn' last='Cheatham'], was particularly noteworthy. Cheatham, an athletic middle, demonstrated a quick approach, fast arm swing, and the ability to turn her attacks effectively to avoid opposing blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>NORCO 16 Black's combination of defensive grit, setting precision, and offensive versatility made them a force to be reckoned with, earning them a well-deserved USA bid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Colorado Elite 16 Grizzly</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colorado Elite is a club that continues to make impressive strides in just its fourth year of existence. Last season, this Grizzly squad earned a bid to Nationals, and they followed it up with another strong performance this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the standout players from the weekend was [player_tooltip player_id='519227' first='Reagan' last='Bayley'], a 6'1” outside hitter with a powerful swing and commanding court presence. In addition to her offensive dominance, Bailey also boasts some of the best serve receive skills on the team, making her a key all-around contributor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='734493' first='Kenzie' last='Brown'], an athletic and quick middle, kept opposing defenses on edge with her ability to mix up her attacks. She effectively used the entire net, creating a dynamic and unpredictable offensive presence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='519217' first='Adelaide' last='Griest'] was a force at the net, consistently shutting down attackers with her blocks. Time and time again, she put up a wall that frustrated opponents, showing confidence and control in her positioning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colorado Elite 16 Grizzly's ability to compete at a high level and earn a Nationals bid is a testament to their continued growth and talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='429639' first='Front' last='Range'] 16 Black</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='429639' first='Front' last='Range'] is another dominant club in the region, known for developing elite-level athletes, including two-time Olympian Jordyn Poulter. Their 16 Black squad showcased their strength once again, earning a well-deserved bid to Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the most exciting players on this roster is [player_tooltip player_id='750205' first='Madlen' last='Gloessner'], a class of 2028 standout playing up on 16 Black. With experience in the USAV National Team Development Program, she is poised to be one of the top recruits in her class. Gloessner is a key player on both offense and defense, featuring a powerful arm swing and an imposing block that shut down hitters all weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tally Smith, the team's setter, is incredibly fast and has a remarkable ability to change directions of the ball effortlessly. Her exceptional wrist motion generates impressive power, making her sets difficult to read and providing her hitters with quick, consistent opportunities to score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another standout performer was [player_tooltip player_id='734487' first='Sofia' last='Screaton'], a six-rotation outside hitter with a powerful arm swing. She excels at exploiting gaps in the block. In addition, she is a confident presence in the back row, delivering solid serve receive and accurate passes to her setter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='429639' first='Front' last='Range'] 16 Black's well-rounded roster and high-level play helped them secure their bid, solidifying their status as one of the top teams in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->