Tour of Texas Dallas Stop 17’s Preview Vol 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pool Three shapes up to be one of the more competitive and balanced groups in the 17s division as the Tour of Texas moves to its Dallas stop. With teams that showed strength in Austin mixed with programs looking to rebound and reestablish themselves, this pool has the feel of one that could send multiple teams deep into bracket play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading the pool as the top seed is Arete 17 Navy Telos, who earned that position with a strong and consistent performance at the first stop. Their roster—[player_tooltip player_id='794513' first='Monica' last='Bercaru-Maxim'], [player_tooltip player_id='831088' first='Samantha' last='Everidge'], [player_tooltip player_id='766858' first='Emersyn' last='Fink'], [player_tooltip player_id='821530' first='Kaylie' last='Franklin'], Ava Funderburk, [player_tooltip player_id='804539' first='Julia' last='Hudgins'], Britton Huff, Lexi North, Bailey Ramirez, [player_tooltip player_id='727323' first='Megan' last='Smith'], and [player_tooltip player_id='876513' first='Kamryn' last='Wood']—is built with balance and depth across positions. Arete plays a composed brand of volleyball, showing an ability to control tempo and execute in high-pressure moments. Their depth allows them to stay fresh throughout long match days, and they enter Dallas as the team everyone else in the pool will be chasing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second seed, [program_tooltip program_id='475085' first='1United' last=''] 17 National Blue, brings a roster that blends athleticism with versatility. With [player_tooltip player_id='433670' first='Tito' last='Abiba'], [player_tooltip player_id='580665' first='Emily' last='Boomstra'], Ella Coltharp, Hayley Creecy, [player_tooltip player_id='432388' first='Karina' last='Crowder'], [player_tooltip player_id='534306' first='Lyla' last='Crowder'], [player_tooltip player_id='512902' first='Jordan' last='Flodder'], [player_tooltip player_id='433638' first='Kaitlyn' last='Francis'], [player_tooltip player_id='535468' first='Olivia' last='Permenter'], [player_tooltip player_id='534312' first='Lola' last='Peters'], and [player_tooltip player_id='503707' first='Gaby' last='Wenger'], this group has shown they can adapt to different matchups and styles of play. Their ability to stay competitive in long rallies and manage momentum swings makes them a dangerous opponent, especially as the tournament progresses. If they find consistency early in pool play, [program_tooltip program_id='475085' first='1United' last=''] has the potential to challenge for the top spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sitting as the third seed is Dallas Skyline 17 Royal Ping, a team that is eager to bounce back after a challenging first stop in Austin. Their roster—[player_tooltip player_id='762434' first='Molly' last='Aubert'], [player_tooltip player_id='822709' first='Caitlyn' last='Axton'], [player_tooltip player_id='411969' first='Hayden' last='Curtis'], [player_tooltip player_id='433561' first='Karsyn' last='Evans'], [player_tooltip player_id='535040' first='Aiyana' last='Harris'], [player_tooltip player_id='433635' first='Holland' last='Hutchins'], [player_tooltip player_id='443039' first='Riley' last='Koshkin'], [player_tooltip player_id='433627' first='Cara' last='Marshall'], [player_tooltip player_id='808172' first='Grace' last='Pinegar'], [player_tooltip player_id='528474' first='Aubree' last='Pratt'], Gabriella Skopljak, and [player_tooltip player_id='433665' first='Ryan' last='Spencer']—features athletes with the talent and experience to compete at this level. Skyline teams are traditionally known for defensive discipline and competitive grit, and this group will be motivated to prove they are better than their Austin results indicated. Dallas presents an opportunity for a reset, and a strong showing in pool play could quickly put them back into the conversation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out Pool Three is [program_tooltip program_id='431308' first='Texas' last='Advantage'] Volleyball 17 Black Haroun, also known as TAV 17 Black Haroun. With a roster that includes [player_tooltip player_id='697058' first='Bree' last='Benningfield'], [player_tooltip player_id='528219' first='Journee' last='Calvin'], [player_tooltip player_id='536897' first='Camryn' last='Corso'], [player_tooltip player_id='484395' first='Kate' last='Cuppett'], [player_tooltip player_id='698119' first='Clarissa' last='Fitzgerald'], [player_tooltip player_id='580013' first='Grace' last='Hoover'], [player_tooltip player_id='433624' first='Audree' last='Hughes'], [player_tooltip player_id='808513' first='Madison' last='Jillson'], [player_tooltip player_id='578520' first='Mackenzi' last='Law'], [player_tooltip player_id='568821' first='Kylie' last='Martin'], and [player_tooltip player_id='569719' first='Lyla' last='Mueller'], this team brings physicality and toughness to the floor. TAV Black Haroun is capable of scoring in system and applying pressure when they establish rhythm. Their success in Dallas will hinge on maintaining consistency and extending rallies against some of the more disciplined teams in the pool.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overall, Pool Three has the potential to produce tightly contested matches from top to bottom. Arete 17 Navy Telos enters as the clear favorite based on their Austin performance, but [program_tooltip program_id='475085' first='1United' last=''] 17 National Blue, Dallas Skyline 17 Royal Ping, and TAV 17 Black Haroun all possess the depth and talent to challenge the standings. Expect this pool to play a significant role in shaping the bracket, with multiple teams capable of carrying momentum into the later stages of the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->