This or That – What’s Going To Happen at AAU 16 Open?
The 16s is such an exciting level, these athletes are starting to come into their own in so many ways. They are different players than where they were at the beginning of the year. By the time nationals rolls around,…
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Continue ReadingThe 16s is such an exciting level, these athletes are starting to come into their own in so many ways. They are different players than where they were at the beginning of the year. By the time nationals rolls around, everything is up for grabs. Most of these teams have seen each other at tournaments throughout the year, there aren’t a ton of surprises (besides the team who had a rough January and February and are on fire come Junes). Let’s play a little game of “This or That” picking scenarios of the AAU 16 Open Division.
Who will have more teams in Sunday’s Gold Bracket? Indiana or Florida?
These two states have extremely strong 16s teams. Indiana will have Boiler Juniors, The Academy, REV, and Munciana who all have a really strong chance to make a push for the gold bracket. They are battle tested, have elite players who can really score, and some of these athletes are the best in the country. However, Florida seems to always have the home court advantage with OT 16 Jason, OT 16 Roberto, and Top Select to name a few. I really like the explosiveness of some of these Indiana squads – those 2024s run deep in the Hoosier state!
This middle/right side combo for @a5volleyball really tough to go head to head against. Molly Kate Patten 6’6 and Mia Hood 6’7#centralzone pic.twitter.com/bcZR3NNN5k
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) January 29, 2022
Who Is most likely to knock off top seed A5 Mizuno 16 Gabe? A Florida team or the rest of the field?
There is always a different vibe on the court when A5 is playing, it automatically raises the level of intensity and the energy is ramped up. This A5 team is long, athletic, and so balanced. Mia Hood and MK Patten are quite the duo in the middle and right side which creates a lot of matchup problems. However, I think a team who can play with really clean ball control and tempo has the best chance of knocking A5 off. A team like OT Jason with Bailey Higgins on the right side could be a tough mismatch with a right side who can really hammer. Another fun matchup would be between A5 and Capitanas. I saw the Capitanas team at the Windy City Qualifier where they punched their ticket to the USAV 16 Open Division. A lot of gritty ball control and a team who attacks with no fear. They are ones to watch for throughout this whole event.
Small pivot with no AES rosters for this event, but finding a way. Some more names to know from @TCVolleyballNIT
Taylor Parks – @OTVAvolleyball
Bailey Higgins – @OTVAvolleyball
Sophia Adkins – @tselitevb
Mia Trvdy – @Premier16_G— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) February 19, 2022
I think I watched the best match to end my day at the Windy City Qualifier. Capitanas out of Puerto Rico went wire to wire with @dynastyvbc 16 Black. Long rally after long rally. Lot of fans on hand. Love it. @dynastyvbc prevails pic.twitter.com/ZX45OuPYpU
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) April 16, 2022
What setter will more people know by the end of the tournament? Leah Richmond of Academy 16E Yeti or Molly Romano of Nebraska Elite 16 Lokahi.
Both? These are two setters that have been a joy to watch all club season. Richmond is so quick to the ball for Academy out of the Indianapolis area where she finds a way to put her attackers in position to terminate. With quick hands, she is tough to predict and is someone the defense always has to recognize no matter what rotation she is in. Molly Romano is out of Council Bluffs, Iowa and crosses the Missouri River into Omaha to play for Nebraska Elite. She has such a spark on the court. She plays much bigger than her height of 5’9 where she can be a physical presence at the net. Her intangibles are through the roof with her smile and spark which ignites the rest of her teammates. This field is loaded with high level setters, but these two are ones you definitely want to see.
Molly Romano is a huge spark for her Nebraska Elite 16s team, she preps at and is so gritty. Great footwork, hands, and body control. Fun athlete. Intangibles are 📈📈📈#NLQ
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) March 18, 2022