5 February Open Team Standouts

As the club season pushes deeper into Open play, the margin for error shrinks and the teams who can handle pressure, adversity, and expectation are starting to rise. From statement wins against higher seeds to gritty three-set battles that showed resilience beyond their years, this month revealed which squads are finding their rhythm at the right time.   We saw teams take massive jumps in the rankings. We saw others defend their position against hungry challengers. And we saw lineups that are beginning to click — where chemistry, trust, and confidence are turning potential into production.   These are the teams that didn't just compete in February… they made noise.   Let's take a look at the squads that stood out and why they're positioning themselves as serious contenders as we head into the heart of travel ball. Here's one team from each age division that stood out to us:   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">18s: AZ Sky 18 Blue (10)</h2>   This squad continues to turn heads with the way they've solidified themselves among Arizona's elite. Competing week in and week out against some of the state's best, they've proven they belong in that conversation. After entering Open play ranked 13th in January, they've steadily climbed to the #10 seed — and it hasn't happened by accident.   Emma-Lee Burk anchors the back row with calm, controlled defense and a reliable platform that keeps them in system. [player_tooltip player_id='874847' first='Tatum' last='Naber'] does an excellent job directing the offense, making smart, composed decisions that put her hitters in the best position to score. In the middle, [player_tooltip player_id='805925' first='Josie' last='Portela'] changes matches with her quick tempo attack and imposing block, while [player_tooltip player_id='877496' first='Molly' last='Wahlen'] provides consistency and firepower on the outside as a go-to option in key moments.   They don't just compete — they apply pressure. At Open #3, they pushed the talented 18 Thunder squad to the brink, falling just short in a tight third set battle, 17-15. That kind of fight against high-level competition says everything about who they are.   This team is making a statement — and we'll be watching closely as their momentum continues to build.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">17s: Aspire 17 Alpha (7) </h2>   Despite navigating key injuries, this group continues to prove why they belong in the Top 10 conversation in Arizona. Their grit, toughness, and refusal to back down have kept them in the mix all season long. They opened the year ranked 10th and have battled relentlessly to hold their ground — even weathering a dip to 16th after Open 2. Instead of folding, they responded. The work showed. Now, they've fought their way back into position, playing with confidence and cohesion when it matters most.   At Open 3, they had an impressive win over 16 Thunder and showed how steady and connected they can be against elite competition.   [player_tooltip player_id='892194' first='Macy' last='Schmidt'] has embraced the challenge of being a true six-rotation right side, impacting the match in every phase. [player_tooltip player_id='703008' first='Kail' last='Shill'] continues to run a fast, composed offense, making smart decisions and keeping her attackers in rhythm. At the net, [player_tooltip player_id='878908' first='Emma' last='Caldwell'], [player_tooltip player_id='827324' first='MaryElla' last='Owens'], and [player_tooltip player_id='881808' first='Mckinley' last='Jolley'] each bring a different dimension as high-level blocking threats — length, timing, and physicality that disrupt opposing offenses. Everything they do is with total intentionality   In the back row, [player_tooltip player_id='735664' first='Isla' last='Little'] and [player_tooltip player_id='808498' first='Camryn' last='Thruston'] anchor the defense with confidence, tracking down swings from some of the state's top hitters and turning chaos into opportunity.   This is a team that refuses to be defined by adversity, which makes them even more fun to watch.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">16s: Livewire 16 Prime (14)</h2>   Currently sitting at #2 among Arizona's 16s teams, this group has absolutely earned that position with the way they've competed all season long. Entering the year ranked 25th, they've been one of the biggest climbers in the division — and they've done it by proving themselves against high-level competition, not by circumstance.   Open 1 handed them a tough draw, yet they held their seed and showed they could withstand pressure. In Open 2, they truly made noise — their only loss coming in a tight three-set battle to Zona 18 Black, while holding their own against two other 18s teams at the top of Open. By Open 3, they were playing with confidence and control, earning a huge win over Club One 17 Platinum and competing toe-to-toe with every opponent that stepped on the court.   [player_tooltip player_id='888725' first='London' last='Clark'] sets the tone as an aggressive, high-IQ setter. She's offensive-minded, knows when to attack on the second touch, and does an excellent job distributing to her go-to hitters while staying a step ahead of opposing defenses. [player_tooltip player_id='733200' first='Kyah' last='Anderson'] continues to stand out with her ability to terminate out of system — swinging clean and powerful even when the play breaks down. [player_tooltip player_id='937058' first='Grace' last='Pease'] anchors serve receive with consistency and poise, keeping her team in system and allowing their offense to operate at a high level.   This team isn't just rising — they're establishing themselves as a legitimate contender and a team that's hard to beat.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">15s: AZ Sky 15 Gold (25)</h2>   This group is steadily making noise near the top of Open — and Open 3 was their most complete showing yet. After entering the season ranked 44th, they wasted no time proving they were under-seeded, going 5-1 in Open seeding and launching themselves into the conversation. Open 2 presented some adversity, as they finished third in their bracket with losses to Rev 15 Premier and Atomic 16 Smack Premier — but instead of letting it define them, they used it.   Open 3 was the response. They went 4-0 and flipped the script, earning a statement win over Rev 15 Premier and playing with confidence, composure, and purpose throughout the weekend. The growth from month to month has been obvious.   [player_tooltip player_id='883019' first='Izabella' last='Bombinski'] continues to be a powerhouse on the outside, delivering smart, high-efficiency swings and finding ways to score in big moments. [player_tooltip player_id='888740' first='Isabella' last='Palladino'] does an excellent job controlling tempo, running the floor with confidence and mixing in timely, impactful setter dumps that shift momentum. In the back row, [player_tooltip player_id='920332' first='Scarlett' last='Ide'] put together an outstanding month in serve receive and defense, stepping up in critical moments and giving her team the stability they needed.   This is a team trending upward — and they're starting to believe it, too.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">14s: Storm 14 Thunder (27)</h2>   This group of middle schoolers isn't just competing in Open — they're proving they belong.   14 Thunder entered the season ranked 61st, and it didn't take long to realize that number underestimated them. They made an immediate statement in Open seeding, then followed it up with a strong second-place finish in their pool at Open 2. A huge win over Boltz 16U Desert Aces propelled them up a division and into even tougher competition.   At the most recent Open, they dropped just one match — to Sky 15 Gold — while defeating multiple older teams along the way. Beating up in age consistently is no small feat, and they've shown poise and fearlessness beyond their years. The future for this group is incredibly bright.   [player_tooltip player_id='891496' first='Brianna' last='Murray'] anchors the back row with strength and confidence, never backing down regardless of who's on the other side of the net. [player_tooltip player_id='920104' first='Kora' last='Callahan'] has established herself as a true all-around threat — handling serve receive with composure while also delivering big swings in crunch time. In the middle, [player_tooltip player_id='938194' first='Alonah' last='Roebuck'] plays with impressive timing and maturity, running quicks with confidence and making smart decisions at the net.   This team isn't just ahead of schedule — they're building something special together, and they're only getting started.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   Travel season is well underway and we are going to cover all the action!   As always, make sure you are following us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigarizona/?hl=en">@PrepDigArizona </a>as well as our scouts<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdiganthony/"> @PrepDigAnthony</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/coachmarissamorah/">@CoachMarissaMorah</a>.   Want to get on our radar? Do the following:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Follow us on Instagram, Nominate Through our <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeGWSR1w3a_ZgKVLmUouN7ymhvldIHGmG6f6zWs54-pGTM_-A/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=116487285663927782556">Form</a>, and Send us your Highlights! </li> </ul>

As the club season pushes deeper into Open play, the margin for error shrinks and the teams who can handle pressure, adversity, and expectation are starting to rise. From statement wins against higher seeds to gritty three-set battles that showed resilience beyond their years, this month revealed which squads are finding their rhythm at the right time.