Club Team Previews: HJV 16 Elite

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keeping with our 16's team focus this week, next up we have Houston Junior 16 Elite. With an All-Star cast returning to the team, we have high hopes for these athletes and their accomplishments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='254089' first='Brooklynn' last='Merrell'] / Setter/DS / <a href="https://x.com/BMerrell5">@BMerrell5</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>State Runner Up [player_tooltip player_id='254089' first='Brooklynn' last='Merrell'] returns to this team this season. While I don't know what her role will be, I can tell you she is a true competitor. Playing setter for club last season and libero for school this season, Brooklynn can really do anything that is needed on the court. I am sure that she will be versatile enough to fill any role this season. Brooklynn brings an extra edge to the court after her experience in the state playoffs. She has great court vision and volleyball IQ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212727' first='Jordan' last='Taylor'] / Middle / <a href="https://x.com/Jordann007">@Jordann007</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dominating middle blocker [player_tooltip player_id='212727' first='Jordan' last='Taylor'] is back on the team again this season. Offensively, Jordan has grown into a solid offensive threat. Running the slide and the quick set in the middle very successfully. Her 6'5 height helps her, but athletically she can make the plays. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212731' first='Mackenzie' last='Collins'] / Outside / <a href="https://x.com/kenzCollins2025">@kenzCollins2025</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I can't wait to see [player_tooltip player_id='212731' first='Mackenzie' last='Collins'] back in action this season. Her high-flying approach is awesome to watch and the verticle comes in handy for her as well when blocking. She is a very good blocker, always having her hands pressed over the net, and she grabs a lot of blocks during the season. Mackenzie hits a fast tempo set to the outside really well, using her quickness and vertical to her advantage to beat the block.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='179896' first='Sydney' last='Black'] / Libero / <a href="https://x.com/sydneyblackk_">@sydneyblackk_</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the outstanding sophomore liberos returns to this team. [player_tooltip player_id='179896' first='Sydney' last='Black'] will be back running the show on defense. Sydney is really hard to score on because of her very fast read on defense and her quick response time. It is very rare that hitters can successfully tip on her. She can also take a hard-driven ball down the line with ease, and her extensive high school playing experience has only increased her speed and volleyball IQ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='182109' first='Sydney' last='Bryant'] / Outside / <a href="https://x.com/sydneynikolebry">@sydneynikolebry</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the up-and-coming stars of the Houston area, [player_tooltip player_id='182109' first='Sydney' last='Bryant'] will be on the team this season. Her 6'4 frame makes her very noticeable on the court, but she takes advantage of it and can really crush the ball. As a middle hitter turned outside hitter for school ball, Sydney has really upped her game in the high school season, and she will be a true force on the court for HJV 16 Elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='183997' first='Sydney' last='McKay'] / Libero / <a href="https://x.com/sydneymckayy11">@sydneymckayy11</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last but not least is hometown favorite [player_tooltip player_id='183997' first='Sydney' last='McKay']. The Bellville star will be on the team again this year. Sydney is a true utility player. She can pass and play defense with the best of them as well as fill in a front-row hitting position if need be. I have even seen her set out-of-system balls effortlessly as well. Sydney is a great addition to this team as she brings depth at the passing position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='431166' first='Houston' last='Juniors'] 16 Elite is primed for success this season. With hard work, dedication, and teamwork, this team could do something special!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->