16 Open Standouts at Sunshine Classic

<p><em><strong>Be sure to follow @lshotvb on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">Tik Tok </a>and <a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a> for all things volleyball!</strong></em></p>   <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7610188110449757471?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7597496589356025374">Volleyball is going to the BAHAMAS! Check out where your favorite NCAA Volleyball teams are playing this fall!</a></em></strong></p>   <p><strong><em>--</em></strong></p>   <p>Sunshine Classic officially kicked off the qualifier season! And there was simply no better way to kick it off than this!</p>   <p>The 16 Open division was nothing short of a slugfest from every angle of the tournament. I feel like I say this way too much, but is this 2028 class THE class? If you were to watch anything from the age group at Sunshine Classic, i think you'd be agreeing with me.</p>   <p>For all of the marbles, it came down to the two BEST teams in the country. And when I mean best, both A5 and TAV are hanging amongst the stars above their competition. Before duking it out for the title, these two heavyweights managed to hold their semifinal opponents to an average set score of 25-14! This kind of domination doesn't just come from anyone.</p>   <p>Then we meet in the championship, this is a match up that we will be seeing time and time again. It was a back and forth brawl that saw A5 edge out TAV in a three set thriller. A match that saw TAV come from behind in each set by as much as 6-7 points! This was primetime volleyball at its finest.</p>   <p>But nonetheless, there is a LOT of good volleyball to talk about and no better way to start off then the Dream Team of 16 Open. Take a look.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Julia Clarke - A5</h2>   <p>This middle blocker continues to wow me with each watch. I really liked her net presence at Triple Crown and I like it even more after seeing her down in Orlando. Julia Clarke has all of the makings to be one of the top middle blocker prospects this summer. She's quick to the pins on her block and she is always available in transition. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Trinity Johnson - TAV</h2>   <p>TAV 16 Black's roster is just loaded with elite level pins. A lot of the attention goes elsewhere, Trinity Johnson's name should very much be one that is within these conversations too. On the right pin, Johnson provides a constant force of blocking prowess, but is now looking to provide a further depth in the attacking force as well. When Johnson got the ball, she was efficient with her opportunities and did so with an exclamation point!</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='569772' first='Lauren' last='Sheldon'] - Legacy</h2>   <p>What makes [player_tooltip player_id='569772' first='Lauren' last='Sheldon'] such an exciting product in the middle is her ability to be more than just a quick kill every now and then. More so, Sheldon is the first thought in the minds of setter, Payton Woodruff, when in transition. She can hit a variety of shots that include a very effectively high ball in the middle. Sheldon manages the game extremely well, despite the fast-paced nature of her position.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='553151' first='Ashlyn' last='Pelon'] - Legacy</h2>   <p>She's easily one of the top liberos in the country for several reasons. Time and time again, including this weekend, [player_tooltip player_id='553151' first='Ashlyn' last='Pelon'] proves why. Acting as the launching pad for this team, this whole machine starts with Pelon. And that is why this Legacy 16-1 Adidas team can be so hard to stop. Pelon's first touch on the ball, whether it is in her reception or defensive pick ups, they are always on point. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Chika Onukwagha - Metro</h2>   <p>Upon first look, you may overlook Chika Onukwagha. No, literally, you may oversee her because she's not the biggest player in the gym. But when she takes flight and detonates on the ball, you are more than aware of Onukwagha and what she can do. The speed in which this undersized player plays with is what makes her so successful. She is high flyer but its the speed in which she can get to her apex and whip through the ball that causes such chaos for opponents.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Amari Frazier - Arizona Storm </h2>   <p>I really was liking this player's game out in Kansas City for Triple Crown and I find myself continually impressed. Amari Frazier is everything you want in a middle blocker. She has the size, she has a quick arm and she's a go to player. But what leaves the impression is her swagger on the court. The energy is infectious and does more for her team than meets the eye.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Addison Martin - Arizona Storm</h2>   <p>Again, this is another Triple Crown find for me and an incoming personal favorite of mine in this class. Addison Martin is an elite level <em>slanger</em> at the setter position. Martin is capable of running a very fast paced offense without the disruption of her location and flow of the game. It's what makes Arizona Storm a tough nut to crack.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Caroline Hayes - OTVA</h2>   <p>I am always here for a Hayes in the libero jersey. Much like her older sister and current Florida Gator Standout, Lily Hayes, Caroline Hayes is looking to have all the makings to be an top rated libero in this class. In many ways, her steadiness in the back court is what really drives this OTVA team to success. Hayes reads the game well and can take up a vast amount of court.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tenley Witzel - Kairos</h2>   <p>Sunshine was my introduction to much of this Kairos squad, and there is a lot to like on this squad. Starting off, Tenley Witzel is a libero in this class that we are not talking about enough! Where the entire play starts, Witzel is the perfect player to position Kairos in system at all times. In her reception, she is smooth to the ball and on defense, she is scrappy and tough. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Logan McGuire - Kairos</h2>   <p>Now to the setter position, I really like the way Logan McGuire runs the show for this team. Her technique is quite sound and it really throws off the opposing defense, often time holding blockers due to her ability to stay neutral and throw the ball around. She runs a very diverse offense with different combinations and routes for hitters to score in transition opportunities.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Julia Masselink - Kairos</h2>   <p>This player is the go to arm for Kairos and deservedly so. Julia Masselink has quite the arm on her. Not only is she pummeling the ball into play with heat, but she seemingly has all the shots in the book. Her range is one of the best in the field and she can do it from a variety of zones along the net and through the back row as well.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='644142' first='Ava' last='Kiernan'] - Michigan Elite</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='644142' first='Ava' last='Kiernan'] is a setter that will be catapulting through the rankings this club season. At 6'2 and only just eclipsing the year mark of transitioning to the setter position, Kiernan is finding her groove and finding it fast. She is running her offense with a lot of pace and precision, the latter being what most stands out given her newness to the role. MiElite is also finding their star to becoming a much more offensive threat as well, something for a player of this size to be utilizing often.</p>   <p>--</p>   <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7608664736950963487?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7597496589356025374">Check out the latest video from </a><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7612871256060251422?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7597496589356025374"><mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">Sunshine Classic</mark></a><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7608664736950963487?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7597496589356025374"> on Line Shot!!</a></em></strong></p>

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