Opening Day Matchups to Follow in 16 Open at USAV Nationals

Time to peek ahead at 16 Open. This division will undoubtedly draw a lot of eyes as we turn toward July. I’ll be one of those sets of eyes, and I can’t wait to join everyone in Indy for one last club outing to wrap up the 2022 season. Before all the action starts, let’s get you primed for opening day. Here are a few key matchups I’ll be watching when 16 Open play gets rolling on Friday.   Dynasty 16 Black vs. TAV 16 Black Ah, the storylines in this one. If you’re looking for a physical, hard-hitting matchup to help kick off your 16 Open viewing experience, this is one you have to see. [caption id="attachment_191371" align="alignright" width="211"]<img class="wp-image-191371 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/04/Ayden-Ames-e1650410962523-211x300.jpg" alt="" width="211" height="300" /> Ames attacks for TAV 16 Black.[/caption] Dynasty comes into USAV Nationals as the undisputed championship favorite in 16 Open. That seems like a lofty claim to make in a division full of so many talented teams, but 16 Black has backed up that distinction throughout the entire 2022 season. [player_tooltip player_id="119707" first="Skyler" last="Pierce"], now a Nebraska commit and our top-ranked player in the 2024 class, will lead an offense that has so many other lethal attackers. [player_tooltip player_id="119226" first="Carlie" last="Cisneros"] should continue her six-rotation dominance, while middle blockers [player_tooltip player_id="178634" first="Piper" last="Newton"] and [player_tooltip player_id="201027" first="Jada" last="Ingram"] continue to step up in clutch moments. Okay, so we just mentioned Nebraska commitments with Pierce. This match has to be the first-ever meeting between 2024 athletes committed to the same school. Future Cornhusker [player_tooltip player_id="155117" first="Ayden" last="Ames"] looms large on the TAV side of the net and brings some incredible physicality anywhere along the net. She can swing on the left, middle, or at her current "home" at opposite. Aside from the Big Red duel, look for multi-talented outside hitters [player_tooltip player_id="142201" first="Jadyn" last="Livings"] and [player_tooltip player_id="124104" first="Mikala" last="Young"] to hold down serve receive and put down some huge swings on the left. This matchup has the makings of a classic, so buckle up.   KC Power 16-1 vs. Premier Nebraska 16 Gold These two squads just keep finding each other. I’ve been able to hone in on two different meetings between these squads during qualifier season. The first occasion was at the Northern Lights Qualifier, where these two sides squared off in the Gold pool opener. It was a match won by 16 Gold that eventually propelled Premier Nebraska to secure a bid at that event. These teams met again in the Gold pools of the Show Me Qualifier. It was a rematch that went all the way down to the wire until 16 Gold secured a 16-14 win with a third-set comeback. Even if you don’t consider the series history, this contest will be another awesome display of some top-tier Midwest talent. Middle blocker matchups should be a big storyline, with Premier’s [player_tooltip player_id="109603" first="Mia" last="Tvrdy"] and [player_tooltip player_id="152854" first="Morgan" last="Bode"] facing off against [player_tooltip player_id="119723" first="Julia" last="Headley"] and [player_tooltip player_id="119812" first="Zoe" last="McDonald"] from KC Power. While these athletes battle, we’ll see which pin hitters step up when this regional clash is rekindled. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> A huge comeback late in the third lifts <a href="https://x.com/Premier16_G?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Premier16_G</a> past KC Power! <a href="https://t.co/DGZcETpm3y">pic.x.com/DGZcETpm3y</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1513568029845737475?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   AJV 16 Adidas vs. Skyline 16 Royal [caption id="attachment_205455" align="alignright" width="400"]<img class="wp-image-205455" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/04/IMG_8166-crop-3820x2509-1656559935-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="263" /> Lambert attacks for 16 Royal.[/caption] Another Texas battle. Is anyone surprised? AJV and Skyline will surely give our Lone Star enthusiasts something to talk about. Both lineups boast some high-flying talent that we’ll surely feature before GJNC is done. For AJV, [player_tooltip player_id="124128" first="Savannah" last="Skopal"] brings a rare combination of physicality and finesse to the setter position. She is flanked on the pins by [player_tooltip player_id="177545" first="Giovanna" last="Mason"] and [player_tooltip player_id="177544" first="Avery" last="Hamlin"], two attackers who can score at will when they’re in rhythm. My in-person look at Skyline 16 Royal this year came at NLQ, where the pin-hitting duo of Lauryn Lambert and [player_tooltip player_id="124101" first="Lauren" last="Perry"] stole the show in several different matches. The middle blocker spot is also in good hands with [player_tooltip player_id="155120" first="Ashby" last="Daniel"] and [player_tooltip player_id="179902" first="Shelby" last="Burriss"] holding down the net.   NKYVC 16-1 Tsunami vs. MKE Sting 16 Gold NKYVC and MKE Sting have consistently risen to the forefront of events I’ve covered this year. Now, the two talented 16s teams are destined to meet in an early matchup at Nationals. 16-1 Tsunami has produced some big moments in Kansas City this year, with trips to that city yielding runner-up finishes at Triple Crown NIT and Show Me. The dominance of NKYVC middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id="107399" first="Julia" last="Hunt"] has been well documented, but she’s gotten plenty of help from other talented standouts. [player_tooltip player_id="107423" first="Alivia" last="Skidmore"] has made a consistent impact in recent matches and is connecting well with setter [player_tooltip player_id="139272" first="Abby" last="Yoder"]. This trio will undoubtedly have a huge say in how far the Tsunami rolls in Indy. Meanwhile, MKE Sting 16 Gold is coming off an impressive string of success in both qualifiers and our Prep Dig Circuit. I was lucky enough to cover the team’s title-winning run in Cleveland at the Prep Dig Open, and you could see the squad start to reach its peak in late-season tournaments. Setter [player_tooltip player_id="122568" first="Lilly" last="Wagner"] continues to run an outstanding offense that is also aided by [player_tooltip player_id="122523" first="Claire" last="Luoma"]’s rock-solid passing in the backcourt. [player_tooltip player_id="178033" first="Madison" last="Quest"] and [player_tooltip player_id="122475" first="Anna" last="Bjork"] are a couple of frontcourt hitters you’ll want to see, too. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> It was never an easy road, but <a href="https://x.com/sting_gold?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sting_gold</a> emerges victorious! 16 Open champs at <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/PDTheOpen?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PDTheOpen</a>. <a href="https://t.co/5KjFGMdJ6p">pic.x.com/5KjFGMdJ6p</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1520805376760893443?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Absolutely clutch from <a href="https://x.com/NKYVC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NKYVC</a>! 16-1 Tsunami fights off a match point and wins 16-14 in the third set to secure a pool win, a trip to the 16 Open title match, and a Nationals bid! <a href="https://t.co/MqxjXNClcz">pic.x.com/MqxjXNClcz</a> — Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) <a href="https://x.com/KingsleyATK/status/1513583853117530124?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>   COAST 16-1 vs. 1st Alliance 16 Gold COAST and 1st Alliance will have quite a presence in Indy throughout Nationals, and it has culminated in an opening day meeting in 16 Open. The SoCal Region has a few different representatives in this division. COAST 16-1 is one of those entries in Pool 5, and this team has a good chance to make some noise as the pool’s second-overall seed. A variety of attackers will likely shine on the Nationals stage, as we’ve seen big contributors from a few different positions for COAST. Tiana Owens is an intimidating opposite to watch this weekend, and Hayley Ogden has had an exceptional year in the middle. And, if you’re looking for a do-it-all player, left-side hitter [player_tooltip player_id="186815" first="Madison" last="Triplett"] is always a safe bet. On the other side of the net, 1st Alliance 16 Gold is another one of those teams that can expect clutch moments from anyone on its roster. Ball control has been particularly strong from 16 Gold, with [player_tooltip player_id="135953" first="Kinsey" last="Smith"] dishing well at setter and [player_tooltip player_id="135946" first="Samantha" last="Falk"] having a breakout year at libero. It’s certainly nothing new to see a 1st Alliance team led by its consistent first and second touches, so watch for this trend to play out again at GJNC.   [caption id="attachment_191711" align="alignright" width="400"]<img class="wp-image-191711" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pd/uploads/2022/04/IMG_7253.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="267" /> Bobbitt sets Philpot for Triangle 16 Black.[/caption] Triangle 16 Black vs. Vision 16 Gold Let’s wrap up this preview with East Coast versus West Coast--though this battle will take place in the Midwest. It’s perfect! Triangle 16 Black is a North Carolina squad that certainly looks the part as a #1 pool seed. Middle blocker Ashlyn Philpot recently became one of the early pledges in the 2024 class, committing to Illinois. Several more players on the roster have shown some big-time talent, too, with [player_tooltip player_id="201017" first="Asia" last="Thigpen"] and Kiarrah Horne having a monster season on the left side. [player_tooltip player_id="201020" first="Emily" last="Bobbitt"] will tie everything together at setter. Now, let’s make a quick hop over to California. Vision 16 Gold hails from the NorCal Region and will bring an impressive lineup to the fold in 16 Open. Briley Lackey and [player_tooltip player_id="161032" first="Taylor" last="Williams"] keep this team humming along the net while libero Michael Torkaman takes care of business in the backcourt. It can be easy to get lost in the wide field of California clubs, but don’t lose sight of Vision this weekend.