NKYVC 18-1 Tsunami Earns NIT Power Pool Top Seed

The 18U season can be very bittersweet given the culmination of a long prep career in the Fall combined with a shorter club season for most teams as many senior prospects get set to shift their focus to their next opportunities. The Triple Crown NIT has been an event over recent years that has become a staple for elite team's schedules that offers a early-season chance to compete against the best teams across the country. The stage is huge. The competition is very real. The energy is electric.   [program_tooltip program_id='430243' first='NKYVC' last=''] has been competing at the NIT for many years, often sending their top teams from 14U-18U each February. In 2023, I was fortunate enough to be the head coach of their 17-1 Tsunami squad that won the gold medal with a 8-1 overall record over the long weekend. I am grateful to have had a front row seat to the grind and their survival of the gauntlet of consecutive matches over three days of which required incredible stamina, focus, effort, along with a little bit of luck. That team was a tight unit that played for one another and simply loved to compete and they collectively earned that podium finish together with a lot of spirit and grit.   For this season's [program_tooltip program_id='430243' first='NKYVC' last=''] 18-1 Tsunami team, this is a group of athletes that, for most of them, have been competing together for several years. Their sisterhood is very noticeable in how they compete with one another with high levels of trust and support for for what each individual brings to this team each time they take the court. Having watched this squad for years, this year's version resembles that team 2023 team in a variety of ways regarding their collection of talent and in how they battle. They advanced to the elite bracket at last year's NIT, competing on the final day among the best teams in the division as they finished tied for 13th overall among over 100 of the nation's best teams in their age group.   The 2026 NIT is an exciting opportunity for this group as they again feature some of the top prospects in both Ohio and Kentucky, all of whom have solidified their next-level opportunities following stellar high school careers and a lot of success on the club circuit. What I love about the 18U division is that, for the most part, the recruiting pressure is gone, which allows athletes and teams to play freely with a goal to deliver their best when their best is needed. This team is one that plays exceptionally well when in that mindset. As they get set to begin play as the top seed in Power Pool D, here is a reminder of who this team is overall.   PIN ATTACKERS   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/09/CallieCombs.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-884956" style="aspect-ratio:1.0395975606328864;width:182px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='227615' first='Callie' last='Combs'] - College: North Carolina StateA finalist for the Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year award and the GGCL's athlete of the year in 2025, Combs earned multiple Ohio state titles with Seton while also earning 1st team all-Ohio honors in Division I. The backbone of the Seton effort and string of success, she is one of the best all-around prospects in Ohio with her arm, ball control, defense, and competitive maturity and I.Q. A primary point scorer, she helps anchor the first touch phase with other key pieces in this phase, which is key to their offensive balance.   [player_tooltip player_id='507601' first='Grace' last='Portwood'] - College: University of Indianapolis Portwood has steadily evolved into a huge complement to this team's offense over the past few seasons as she epitomizes the grind and grit of a primary pin with relentless aggressiveness in how she swings through high volume opportunities. She elevates well and can bring big heat and has been a key part of NDA's elite success in Kentucky the past few years, including a career best 364 kills in 2025. Her six-rotation tools allow her to make an impact in multiple phases of the game.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/09/JennaKitchens23.jpg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-622287" style="aspect-ratio:0.6670032455824018;width:155px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Marc Figgins</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='212349' first='Jenna' last='Kitchens'] - College: Charleston Southern University Kitchens is another great story as her development over the past few years is among the best for the core group of athletes that have been together on this team. Athletic but raw in her tools during their 15U season, she has made likely the most impressive improvement in the quality of her arm on both sides of the court over recent seasons. She can get up and bring big heat through confident and aggressive action, while also very capable of shutting down opposing outside hitters with her big block.   MIDDLE HITTERS   [player_tooltip player_id='227798' first='Maddie' last='Steele'] - College: Valparaiso University Steele's evolution from playing primarily in the middle to become an impact arm at the pins has been so fun to watch. She has a strong and physical frame as her confidence and impact as a pin hitter blossomed in recent years leading Turpin's offense through a lot of opportunities to swing. She earned over 1,000 career kills including nearly 800 of those in her final two seasons, on her way to all-conference honors. Her versatility to is a big part of her game and can be a key attribute for this squad. Look for her to compete in the middle, but perhaps getting chances at the pins if a different look is needed.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/01/MaddieSteele2.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-743274" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='312234' first='Audrey' last='Dyas'] - College: University of Toledo Dyas has consistently held down the other middle position for this team, impacting the game on both sides of the ball with a fierce approach to her overall effort and competitiveness. Another NDA product, she has led them defensively at the net with efficient lateral movement and quickness over the tape. She has also developed a full arsenal offensively through varied approach patterns around her setter, which helps expand this teams offensive range.   [player_tooltip player_id='227799' first='Sophia' last='Richardson'] - College: Eastern Kentucky University Richardson joined this team in recent seasons adding another capable scorer through middle tempos along with defensive length at 6'1. She's a three-time all-ECC honoree, earning 1st team in 2024 and 2025 for one of the most consistent teams in that conference. What she brings to the court is a big asset not only in her physical tools and skills, but also because it lends to creating more versatility and depth throughout this team's full rotation as she can go to the right pin as well for effective point scoring and defense.   DS/LIBEROS   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/10/EmmaFrietchSUA.jpg?w=906" alt="" class="wp-image-697402" style="aspect-ratio:0.8856396866840731;width:190px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='204230' first='Emma' last='Frietch'] - College: University of Tennessee One of the best liberos in Ohio, Frietch has been a top prospect in her position throughout her prep career. A key factor for both St. Ursula and this [program_tooltip program_id='430243' first='NKYVC' last=''] core group for a handful of years, she is so good at what she does through her passing and defense. Helping lead SUA to a DII state title in 2024, they moved to DI in 2025, advancing to the regional final round. Frietch earned a well deserved selection as a 1st team all-Ohio member. With a career high 471 digs in 2025, she finished her SUA career with 1,203 total digs.   SETTERS   <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/user-uploads/IMG_5963.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-743092" style="width:199px;height:auto" /></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='339082' first='Addyson' last='Bianchini'] - College: University of Albany Half of a steady and dynamic setting duo, Bianchini is a versatile prospect as her role for Mason was much greater than her focused effort as a floor leader helping to guide this team's offense through her hands. Mason had a terrific season largely due to Bianchini's leadership and range of impact for which she was selected to the all-Ohio 2nd team in Division I. The Comets finished 21-5 overall as they advanced to the regional final round. Bianchini, a three-time 1st team selection in the Greater Miami Conference, finished her high school career with 135 service aces, 687 kills, 822 digs, and 986 assists.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/12/754-Kirsten-Kemper.jpg?w=978" alt="" class="wp-image-496133" style="aspect-ratio:0.95503561674691;width:151px;height:auto" /></figure>   Kirstin Kemper - College: North Caroline A&T Kemper is the other half of this setting pair as these two complement each other very well as this team doesn't miss a beat as they share the offensive leadership. Another big contributor for Seton over recent seasons, Kemper's impact during the high school cycle was significant over her final two seasons during which the Saints won consecutive DI state titles. With 920 total career assists, she had career bests in her senior season at 539 assists, 176 digs, and 44 service aces. She was a 2nd team all-GGCL honoree in 2025.

The 18U season can be very bittersweet given the culmination of a long prep career in the Fall combined with a shorter club season for most teams as many senior prospects get set to shift their focus to their next opportunities. The Triple Crown NIT has been an event over recent years that has become a staple for elite team's schedules that offers a early-season chance to compete against the best teams across the country. The stage is huge. The competition is very real. The energy is electric.