Texas 16’s With a Strong Start to the Club Season Vol 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The club season is well under way now that we are one full month into it.&nbsp; There have been some great tests and the following teams have proven to pass the tests so far like the Tour of Texas Stop 1 and some big early season tourneys.&nbsp; Let's take a look at who we need to watch for the rest of the season in this age group in the Lone Star State.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='431166' first='Houston' last='Juniors'] 16 Elite is off to another strong start this season, finishing 5–3 in a star-studded field at the Tour of Texas Austin stop and once again proving why this program consistently competes at the top of the 16s division. The offense is well organized under the direction of [player_tooltip player_id='724645' first='Macie' last='Chase'], a steady and confident setter who does an excellent job distributing the ball and keeping attackers involved in all rotations. At the net, Elsa St. Rose has emerged as a reliable scoring presence, using her physicality and timing to terminate plays and apply pressure on opposing blocks. The middle unit of [player_tooltip player_id='938286' first='Isabella' last='Gomez Gala'], [player_tooltip player_id='820056' first='Nlonna' last='Okwura'], and [player_tooltip player_id='744135' first='Greysen' last='Ortmeier'] gives this team a strong defensive foundation, closing seams quickly and slowing down high-powered offenses. On the pins, [player_tooltip player_id='765090' first='Sade' last='Bello'], [player_tooltip player_id='543681' first='Kadence' last='Ledesma'], Taylor Moriarty, and [player_tooltip player_id='580029' first='Kennedy' last='Spencer'] provide a balanced mix of size, athleticism, and shot variety that makes this lineup difficult to key on. Defensively, [player_tooltip player_id='744558' first='Aubree' last='Svoboda'] anchors the back row with consistency and strong ball control, allowing [program_tooltip program_id='431166' first='Houston' last='Juniors'] to stay in system during long rallies. Oluwamayokun Orundami adds depth and flexibility, helping maintain stability throughout demanding tournament play. With experienced athletes, positional balance, and a proven club culture, [program_tooltip program_id='431166' first='Houston' last='Juniors'] 16 Elite looks poised to remain a serious contender as the season continues.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='431308' first='Texas' last='Advantage'] Volleyball 16 Black Josh had a solid showing at the Tour of Texas Austin stop, finishing with five wins and three losses against a competitive field and signaling that this squad is ready to make noise in the 16s division. The roster blends offensive firepower with defensive balance, anchored by Farren Brooks, a versatile outside hitter capable of scoring from multiple attack angles and creating matchup problems for opponents. In the middle, Simone Bivens and Finley Orr bring physical presence and smart blocking fundamentals that help control the net defensively and provide consistent first-tempo scoring. Opposite and multi-role hitters like Abigail Bond and Isabel Little add scoring depth, giving [program_tooltip program_id='431308' first='Texas' last='Advantage'] options in both transition and out-of-system swings. Setters [player_tooltip player_id='625506' first='Chloe' last='Kim'] and [player_tooltip player_id='937267' first='Camryn' last='Colon'] manage tempo and distribution with calm efficiency, keeping all hitters involved and the offense unpredictable. Back-row defense is anchored by [player_tooltip player_id='556825' first='Ella' last='Peden'], whose body control and serve-receive work allow the team to stay in system under pressure. Contributors such as Ava Green, [player_tooltip player_id='804839' first='Zoe' last='Patel'], and [player_tooltip player_id='580660' first='Carley' last='Ward'] round out a roster that competes hard in every rotation and rarely takes a play off. What stands out about this group is their balanced attack and the way they trust the system, which is a hallmark of the [program_tooltip program_id='431308' first='Texas' last='Advantage'] approach to player development. If they continue to refine their technical execution and maintain consistency in serve-receive and transition, 16 Black Josh has the pieces to contend at bid events and make a deep run later in the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stay tuned as we will have some awesome articles covering as many awesome players and teams from all over Texas.&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 -->