18s GJNC Preview: Texas Pistols 18 Black

Guilherme Torres April 17, 2021 @ 02:00 PM

The most important tournament of the year for the class of 2021 players is just in front of us as the 2021 USAV Girls 18s Junior National Championship is set to happen from April 23-25 in Columbus, Ohio, and as many as 280 teams from the entire country are expected to compete in the five divisions. Texas will, of course, be represented in the event and we will take the time between now and the start of the tournament in Ohio to present the team what will carry the Lone Star State flag in Ohio, analyzing their campaigns in the club season so far and highlighting their most important players. There are five teams from Texas entered in the 18 USA Division and Texas 18 Pistols Black is one of them. Here’s our preview: 18 Black is the lone representative of the Texas Pistols Volleyball Club in the tournament. Coming out of New Fairview, just north of Fort Worth, the team has had a tremendous season so far as head coach Janine Smith’s squad emerged victorious in 41 of their 47 meetings so far. The club was lifted the trophy at the Adidas Lone Star Classic and finished in the top-five of all of the other three events they competed at, all National Qualifiers. Here are their key players:   [player_tooltip player_id="87447" first="Jenna" last="Roberson"] – Setter – HS: Victory Christian – 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="87447" first="Jenna" last="Roberson"] is one of the most interesting setters in Texas as she ranks 64th on our 2021 Prep Dig State Rankings. She does a great job with the ball on her hands with rock-solid location on her sets. She moves really well on the court too, which helps her put her hitters in the best possible spots to score. At 5’7”, one would expect she’d be a liability at the net but that’s not the case because of her superior blocking technique and high volleyball IQ. Roberson will keep her game going at the next level as she committed with the Sam Houston State University. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/10623020/5c70394b15f5d304809c61dc" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>   [player_tooltip player_id="87451" first="Taylor" last="Thomas"] – Outside Hitter – HS: Denton – 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="87451" first="Taylor" last="Thomas"]’ offensive game is certainly her calling card on a volleyball court. A six-foot outside hitter, she adds a ton of power to it with a long and strong approach that ends in a powerful hit sent across the net. But don’t power is the only weapon Thomas’ offense has as she’s one of the most versatile hitters out there. The Texas Pistols 18 Black prospect can hit the ball in any direction and is able to run different tempos and even sets down the middle at times, bringing an interesting level of unpredictability to her game. Ranked 72nd on our 2021 Prep Dig State Rankings, she’ll play for Liberty University at the collegiate level. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s2OuPPi6Jh4" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>   [player_tooltip player_id="87455" first="Cameron" last="Rogers"] – Libero – HS: Keller – 2021 [player_tooltip player_id="87455" first="Cameron" last="Rogers"] is a pass-first kind of libero and one among the many who make their teams click offensively. Her work is so important for Texas Pistols 18 Black as her accurate passes go through the hands of Roberson and result in a kill from one of the team’s talented hitters. She’s also very active on defense, never misses her spot when covering a hitter at the net and can cause damage with her float serve. Rogers will play for the University of Louisiana at Monroe after ranking 80th on our 2021 Prep Dig State Rankings. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/10791241/5d987193d45e0806f41533d8" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>