Nationals Roundup: TPV 16 Maverick wins AAU 16 Premier Crown

The loaded Tennessee Performance Volleyball 16 Maverick team ran through the 16 Premier Division in the Amateur Athletic Union 16 Premier Division in Orlando. The team went 12-0 through the tournament not dropping any of the 24 sets throughout the four days.   The team beat Northern Lights 16-2, 2-0 (26-24, 25-19) in the championship game. Franklin setter [player_tooltip player_id='939795' first='Emmy' last='Garner'] won the tournament's most valuable player honors with Centennial middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='818827' first='Shaun' last='Waller'] and Bowling Green outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='577773' first='Chayse' last='Gilliland'] earning All-American honors.   The team heads to Indianapolis on Tuesday for the USA Volleyball Girls Junior 16-17 Nationals. The team is the top seed in the 16 USA Division.   Two champions from Kentucky and Tennessee came about from Wave Two of the AAU Nationals. The KIVA 15 White team won the 15 Premier Division with a 10-3 record. The team knocked off A5 15-Victor, 2-1 (22-25, 25-17, 18-16) in the title game.   The Memphis Metro 13 Black team went 13-0 and won the 13 Aspire Division. The team knocked off High Performance St. Louis 13 White, 2-1 (29-27, 19-25, 15-13) to take home the crown.   No one from either state won any championships in the 14, 15 age groups in the USA Volleyball championships in Indianapolis.   Notable Performers    Garner (pictured) defines the word efficient. Garner springs setter dumps on opponents while in the air in the blink of an eye. She involves a number of players and makes outstanding decisions. Garner does not hesitate to shove balls to corners if defenders are playing far away from them. Garner executes such efficient plays that blockers do not know where balls are going until the last second. Garner takes full advantage of 16 Maverick's size. She puts balls in their power zones and their high attack points allow them to smack balls over and around blockers.     One can't say enough about Gilliland's determination on the court. She consistently finds ways to will 16 Maverick to wins. Gilliland is exceptional at getting on top of balls and pounding them with a great downward trajectory. She has a high attack point allowing her to soundly pound balls over and around blockers. Gilliland makes the quick first touches then goes straight into attack mode to take big rips. Gilliland's defense is underrated. She uses a great platform to jumpstart the offensive rhythm.     Alphin gives 15 White a great option on the outside with her approach, extension and solid finish. Alphin uses great spacing from the net to deposit balls to different parts of the court on go routes. Alphin executes both line hits and crosses. Alphin tools blocks and takes advantage of teammates running fakes to pull blockers away from her. Alphin takes hard swings from both the middle and the pins.     Kays uses her size to control the net. Her confidence has grown throughout club season and that played a role in helping 15 White to the crown. She times up blocks nicely and serves aggressively. Kays has a high attack point and combines it with a great arm swing. Kays does a good job placing overpassed balls away from opponents.    Note from Writer   Mike Graham has been writing for Prep Dig for two years and has enjoyed getting to know the volleyball scenes in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. If you liked the story, please copy and paste to X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. You may also follow us at @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigkentucky/#">prepdigkentucky</a>, @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigtennessee/#">prepdigtennessee</a> or @<a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepdigoh/#">prepdigoh</a> on Instagram in addition to @PrepDigKy, @PrepDigTN or @PrepDigOH on X. If you feel someone in Kentucky, Tennessee or Ohio needs coverage or even have feedback on the Kentucky or Tennessee rankings, please email Mike at michaelgraham@prepdig.com. You may also follow him on X @GMCgrah or Instagram @g.michaelgraham. Subscriptions give you access to exclusive content. For a 30% discount on yearly subscriptions, enter code graham30 at checkout.

The loaded Tennessee Performance Volleyball 16 Maverick team ran through the 16 Premier Division in the Amateur Athletic Union 16 Premier Division in Orlando. The team went 12-0 through the tournament not dropping any of the 24 sets throughout the four days.