Defending Champs 1st Alliance Battle Back For Strong Day 1 Finish

Being on the big stage at Triple Crown NIT Power Pools is no joke.  The top teams in the country have a lot of eyes on their court from some of the best college programs in the country while facing the top teams in their age group.  For many of the 1st Alliance 16 Gold athletes, it's just another big tournament.  They are the reigning champions of the 15s division from 2022 where they blazed through the competition. 

New athletes to 1st Alliance, Aniya Warren Aniya Warren 5'8" | DS/L Benet Academy | 2025 State #11 Nation IL and Addy Horner were excited to get to play in the NIT for the first time.  

“It's really big, but it's also fun because you are competing against others who are just as skilled as you and shows where you are as an athlete,” said Warren, who is one of the top 2025 liberos in the field.  

Teammate, Addy Horner echoed much of the same saying, “It's awesome, playing at this high level of competitiveness is super fun, I love it.” 

The day didn't begin as planned with a three set loss to another top team in the country to Drive Nation 16 Red.  They followed up with a sweep of Surfside out of California and found themselves with their backs against the wall to Houston Juniors (HJV). 

HJV started the match on fire, going on an early run, using uber quick Mackenzie Collins out of the middle.  This team also features multiple athletes over 6'2 and plenty of depth when it comes to passing.  They capitalized on everything in system, taking the first set 25-21. 

The kids out of Chicagoland stayed poised, regrouping to win set two, and blazed out to a huge third set lead to finish the match with the win, 15-8. 

“What had happened, happened - there's nothing we can do to go back to change it.  We just prepare ourselves to have a better next play, next set, next match, taking it one at a time,” said Warren. 

“All of the coaches and teammates kept us encouraged even in our low points.  We practice a lot fighting back from scoring droughts in practice and it prepared us really well,” said Horner. 

With their NIT title last year and a top eight finish in USAV 15 Open in 2022, the addition of Warren and Horner have added plenty of depth to an already strong squad.  For these two, the transition has been extremely smooth. 

“This has been really smooth and fun. We came in and gelled together and it was as if we never missed a beat,” said Warren. 

Horner will be one to watch as a high level setter and right side who can do it all.  She definitely feels that team chemistry and how welcoming the rest of the teams and coaches were for them. 

“All of the girls and coaches have been super inviting which has made it easy.  This has been a really good environment to come into.” 

1st Alliance is waiting to see who their opponent will be in the Elite Division Challenge match where a win will send them into the top 32 with plenty of big matches ahead. However, like Aniya Warren Aniya Warren 5'8" | DS/L Benet Academy | 2025 State #11 Nation IL said, “It's one play, one set, one match at a time”.