Texas Powers Take Over 18 Open in NOLA

The 18 Open division at the Nike Music City Championship Qualifier brought elite volleyball to New Orleans, Louisiana, February 20–22, closing out the final stretch of Mardi Gras week. While the city celebrated in the streets, some of the top 18s teams in the country battled inside the convention center for something just as meaningful — national positioning, Open bids, and momentum heading into the final push of the club season.   Every match felt like late July. Long rallies. Heavy swings. Deep benches. The 18 Open division is always unforgiving, and in New Orleans it was no different. By the end of the weekend, the top four spots were locked in — and Texas programs made a statement.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='510661' first='Houston' last='Skyline'] 18 Royal Finishes on Top</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.instagram.com/p/DVE3HVikbNN/?igsh=MTd1NHY1em51MnIyMA== </div></figure>   [program_tooltip program_id='510661' first='Houston' last='Skyline'] 18 Royal captured the 18 Open championship, navigating one of the most competitive brackets of the season.   The title adds to an already impressive year. Skyline had previously secured an Open bid earlier in the season, meaning they entered New Orleans with nothing to chase but the championship. They played like it.   Their balance stood out. Controlled serve receive. Efficient offense. Disciplined defense. In pressure moments, they were steady and composed. They closed matches with confidence and proved they are a serious threat heading into nationals.    Madysen Chimes is a left-handed right side who creates matchup problems the moment she steps on the floor. She jumps extremely high and contacts the ball well above the block, which allows her to score clean even against disciplined defenses. Her ability to hang in the air gives her time to see the block and choose her shot instead of rushing her swing.   She is also a presence at the net defensively. She sets a huge block and takes up space with strong hands and good penetration. For a 2027 competing at this level, her physical tools and confidence make her a major impact player on both sides of the ball.     [player_tooltip player_id='318194' first='Lauryn' last='Wiley'] anchors the back row with discipline and high-level instincts. She reads attackers early and positions herself before the swing, which allows her to control balls that most defenders do not even touch. Her platform stays quiet, and she absorbs pace with confidence.   She made multiple digs that looked like certain kills. Not lucky touches. Controlled, playable balls that extended rallies and flipped momentum. Her ability to read the game and stay disciplined under pressure makes her a difference-maker in the back court.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='431200' first='Madfrog' last=''] 18 National Earns Open Bid</h2>   [program_tooltip program_id='431200' first='Madfrog' last=''] 18 National finished second and earned an Open bid to nationals.   Their path through the bracket showcased physicality and grit. They applied consistent pressure from the service line and competed relentlessly at the net. In the championship match, they pushed Skyline and demonstrated they can compete with the nation's best.   The runner-up finish secured their spot in the Open division at nationals — a major accomplishment in such a loaded field.    [player_tooltip player_id='254302' first='Skylar' last='Jackson'] brings elite speed and power to the left pin. She has one of the fastest arm swings in the gym, and it shows in the way the ball explodes off her hand. Her strength allows her to score in multiple ways, but when she is in rhythm, she overwhelms defenders with pure pace. Even top-level liberos struggle to control her contact when she is swinging clean.   She plays with confidence and does not shy away from high-volume sets. Her physicality forces defenses to adjust and commit early, which opens up the rest of the court. When she is aggressive and in system, she changes the momentum of a match in a matter of swings.     Jordan Taylor plays the game at a different speed. She is extremely fast to the ball and covers a ton of ground, which allows her to neutralize imperfect passes. What separates her is her ability to turn a bad pass into a hittable, in-system ball. She adjusts her feet quickly, stays balanced, and delivers clean contact even when she is on the run.   Her athleticism gives her offense rhythm. Hitters stay available because they trust she can get to the second ball. She keeps plays alive, reduces panic in transition, and consistently gives her team a chance to score. Her speed and composure make her a high-impact setter in pressure moments.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">TAV 18 Black Haroun Takes Third</h2>   [program_tooltip program_id='431308' first='Texas' last='Advantage'] Volleyball 18 Black Haroun finished third and also walked away with an Open bid.   [program_tooltip program_id='431308' first='Texas' last='Advantage']'s consistency and offensive rhythm helped separate them throughout the weekend. They managed tight sets well and executed in transition when it mattered most. Their third-place finish reinforces their place among the top 18s teams in the country.    [player_tooltip player_id='745404' first='Taylor' last='Woods'] is a dynamic right-side with elite athleticism. She jumps extremely high and has the ability to hang in the air, which changes the timing of her attack. Because she stays elevated longer than most blockers, she can swing late—often after the block has already started to come down. That creates clean angles and, at times, an open net.   Her timing is what separates her. She does not rush her swing. She stays patient in the air and makes blockers commit early. That combination of vertical, hang time, and offensive control makes her a difficult matchup and a consistent scoring threat on the right side.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='876208' first='SC' last='Rockstar'] LOVB 18-Joy Secures Fourth</h2>   [program_tooltip program_id='876208' first='SC' last='Rockstar'] LOVB 18-Joy rounded out the top four, earning an Open bid with their fourth-place finish.   They showed resilience in long matches and depth across rotations. Their defensive discipline and ability to extend rallies kept them competitive against elite opponents.    Ellie Chu is a disciplined and steady presence on the court. Defensively, she does not cheat the game. She stays home, holds her base, and commits to the correct position instead of releasing too early. That patience allows her to read the play and react quickly. She is fast to the ball and consistently puts herself in position to make a playable second contact.   As a setter, Ellie makes smart and efficient decisions. She understands tempo and does a great job distributing the ball to keep her offense balanced. Her communication with hitters stands out. She is vocal, clear, and intentional, which builds trust and helps her spread her offense effectively. Her court awareness and discipline make her a reliable leader on the floor.     Robyn-Lynn Smith is a 2027 middle playing up and starting on an 18s roster, and she looks comfortable doing it. Physically, she stands out immediately. She has an explosive arm swing and an impressive vertical that allows her to play above the net. Her slide attack is lethal. She gets off the ground quickly, stays available in transition, and finishes with authority.   At the net, her blocking technique separates her. She tracks the ball with her body, not just her eyes, which keeps her from drifting or closing late. She presses well over the net and does a strong job sealing seams. For a younger middle competing against older athletes, her poise and physical tools make her one of the most impactful players on the floor.    New Orleans was more than a qualifier stop. It was a measuring stick.   The 18 Open division exposed who can execute under pressure, who can sustain intensity over three days, and who is built for the grind of nationals. [program_tooltip program_id='510661' first='Houston' last='Skyline'] proved they can close. [program_tooltip program_id='431200' first='Madfrog' last=''] showed they can rise in big moments. [program_tooltip program_id='431308' first='Texas' last='Advantage'] reinforced their consistency. [program_tooltip program_id='876208' first='SC' last='Rockstar'] LOVB demonstrated depth and resilience.   Bids were earned. Statements were made.   Now the focus shifts to preparation. Because if this weekend in New Orleans showed us anything, it's this: May will not be forgiving. And the teams that survived 18 Open in Mardi Gras week are more than ready for the stage.

The 18 Open division at the Nike Music City Championship Qualifier brought elite volleyball to New Orleans, Louisiana, February 20–22, closing out the final stretch of Mardi Gras week. While the city celebrated in the streets, some of the top 18s teams in the country battled inside the convention center for something just as meaningful — national positioning, Open bids, and momentum heading into the final push of the club season.