Triple Crown NIT Top Performers Vol 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who stood out at the Triple Crown NIT last weekend in Kansas City?  Prep Dig was there in person and we were watching a lot of amazing volleyball being played over the course of three grueling days filled with some of the best teams and players in the entire country.  Let's take a look at who earned our Top Performer award for this tourney due to their individual performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["827013"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6999ff66535bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At the most competitive tournament in the nation, few players made a statement quite like [player_tooltip player_id='827013' first='Nicole' last='Jacobson']. The 6'2” right side in the Class of 2027 helped lead Dallas Skyline Volleyball Club 16 Royal Paul to a runner up finish at the prestigious Triple Crown NIT, proving she is one of the most impactful opposites in her class. Nicole is the definition of a terminating right side. She brings serious heat to an offense, combining elite size and a strong frame with exceptional hand contact and athleticism. Her long reach creates constant matchup problems. Even when blockers are perfectly positioned and well timed, they still have to deal with her lightning fast arm swing and ability to cut the ball to any zone on the court. What truly separates her is her transition game. Nicole's footwork off the net, whether coming from a block touch or defensive dig, is explosive and efficient. She gets to her attack point quickly, reads the defense with maturity, and times her swings with confidence and control. That level of speed and awareness is rare. She impacts matches on both offense and defense, and her presence alone changes how opponents prepare. Nicole is a high level talent who projects as a difference maker at the collegiate level in the coming years. College coaches across the country should have her on their radar. She is special. Please join us in congratulating [player_tooltip player_id='827013' first='Nicole' last='Jacobson'] on earning a Top Performer Award at the Triple Crown NIT.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["523942"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6999ff6653620"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Competing against some of the best teams in the nation, Pease established herself as one of the most dominant opposites in the building. On the defensive end, she was a wall. Time and time again, she closed blocks with authority, shutting down primary attackers and completely shifting momentum in critical stretches. Some of her stuff blocks carried so much emotion and energy that they felt like they were worth multiple points. That type of impact does not just show up on a stat sheet, it changes matches. Technically, what stood out most was her discipline in her ready position. She maintains balance while moving laterally, keeping her hands high and her base stable as she seals the pin. There is no panic in her footwork, just controlled urgency to get square and penetrate. Offensively, she was just as dangerous. She showed the ability to thread the needle through tight seams in the block and, when given space, turn and drive the ball down the line with force. Her size, speed, agility, and power combination immediately catches the attention of college scouts in attendance. Once programs get to know her competitive edge and personality, her value only increases. Any spectator watching this tournament could clearly see how instrumental she is to her team's success and why they are considered one of the top teams in the country in their age group. Congratulations to [player_tooltip player_id='523942' first='Piper' last='Pease'] on earning Top Performer honors at the Triple Crown NIT.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["765096"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6999ff6653668"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another dominant opposite who delivered a fantastic tournament performance was 6'3” left handed right side [player_tooltip player_id='765096' first='Sarah' last='Floyd']. Competing with [program_tooltip program_id='431308' first='Texas' last='Advantage'] Volleyball 16 Black Yun at the prestigious Triple Crown NIT, she proved she can be a number one option on virtually any roster in the country. Floyd is a legitimate threat to score from any location along the net and at any moment in a rally. Her arm swing is thunderous and explosive, and blockers must present disciplined hands and perfect timing or she will tool them out of bounds in a hurry. Being a lefty on the right side only amplifies the challenge for defenses because of the natural angles she can create. She sees the block well and understands how to use it rather than simply overpower it. At 6'3”, she combines length with physicality, making her one of the most difficult matchups in her age group. There are stretches where she can take over a match and score in bunches without forcing swings. Having a right side who can terminate at a high clip like she can is a luxury that completely changes how an offense operates. Her presence opens up space for her teammates and forces opponents to adjust their entire defensive scheme. Her elite level production is a major reason her team is considered one of the top squads in the country this season. With her size, skill set, and ability to control the right side, she has positioned herself among the very best at her position nationally. Please join us in congratulating [player_tooltip player_id='765096' first='Sarah' last='Floyd'] on earning Top Performer honors at the Triple Crown NIT.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stay tuned as we will have some awesome articles covering as many awesome players and teams as we can from this tournament.  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>.  Also don't forget to help these kids get more exposure by sharing our stories with your friends.  Help us help them by simply reposting on X or Instagram or sharing on Facebook.  Thanks for following Prep Dig Family!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->