Triple Crown Terminal Attackers – The 15s
Covering the Triple Crown NIT is a monster! So many athletes of the same age group are playing at the same time, and they are all really good (understatement). This was my first chance to watch the 15s this year…
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Continue ReadingCovering the Triple Crown NIT is a monster! So many athletes of the same age group are playing at the same time, and they are all really good (understatement). This was my first chance to watch the 15s this year and they put on quite a show. I popped around to the different 15s courts through the Sunday Challenge Matches through the start of the Elite Bracket. Here are some 15s who were total terminators.
Shaye Witherspoon – Rockwood Thunder 15 Elite
One of the more impressive 15s in the tournament, Shaye Witherspoon is going to be special. She definitely isn’t the first Witherspoon I’ve covered out of Rockwood Thunder. At 6’2 and already extremely physical and athletic, Witherspoon is able to swing big from the outside and the right side. She is extremely dynamic and knows how to mix in shots while also blasting away. Her approach touch is listed at 10’6 right now on the Rockwood Thunder website and she is only going to improve from there. There will be a huge draw to her court as the season progresses as she will be one of the top prospects of 2027.
Jayla Williams – Rockwood Thunder 15 Elite
I really liked the game that Jayla Williams brought to the court as a very dynamic, springy middle blocker. She was extremely active along the front line where she could close the block, transition, and terminate. Her speed is what sets her apart from other middles where she is so quick to the ball. When Rockwood Thunder is in system they are tough to stop with the likes of Witherspoon and Williams.
Gentry Barker – TAV 15 Black
TAV 15 Black is such a complete team with plenty of balance and firepower, winning the 15 Elite Division of Triple Crown. One player that was so fun and electric to watch was Gentry Barker. She might not have the size that some of these other attackers have, but so was the most electric player I saw in the 15s division. Her ability to violently swing and pack a punch on the ball was just different. She is getting everything out of her approach and swing to create a lot of velocity.
Klarke Mosby – 1st Alliance 15 Gold
Having a lefty right side who can terminate can really bring a different dynamic to the game. Klarke Mosby does that for 1st Alliance 15 Gold out of Chicago. This team is extremely balanced with attackers who can terminate from everywhere. Mosby was able to hit with some pace and was also a really key blocker for her side of the net as well.
Elleora Utecht – Northern Lights 15-1
Northern Lights athletes are always going to be well trained, have a textbook swing, and play the game with really good discipline. That’s Utecht for Northern Lights. The outside hitter has the length and athleticism to contact high. I was impressed by her vision as well and ability to adjust. She could push set deep to the corner, cut the ball sharp cross or just blast away. Theres a lot of potential here in this Northern Lights squad where they will be a threat at plenty of qualifiers this season.
Kacie Schulte – MN Select 15-1
I was able to see a rivalry match between MN Select and Northern Lights where MN Select grabbed the win. Schulte was key for MN Select where she is that type of outside hitter who is able to move around and score points from anywhere. She is a high flyer on the outside, but they use her out of the middle and the backrow. Teams have to know where she is at all times.
Allie Hudgins – Austin Skyline 15 Royal
At 6’4, Hudgins is a force on the court. She is more than just her height, she is dynamic where she can attack out of multiple spots on the court. What was impressive about Hudgins was her ability to hit out of system. She doesn’t need a perfect set in order to score. She is able to attack out of the backrow and will hit multiple shots on the outside at different tempos. She is also able to use the block to her advantage. This was a really fun Austin Skyline team. Texas is no joke with these 2027s.
Isabel Incinelli – Winter Park 15 Armour Black
There are already some big time programs on the court of Winter Park 15s with the likes of Isabel Incinelli. At 6’5, long, and athletic, Incinelli is another one who will be at the top of the Class of 2027. Her backrow attack essentially looks like a front row attack with her reach and contact point. She has physical attributes that are just different. However, beyond the physicality is that she is so engaged with her teammates. She celebrates for them, her eyes are up, and is extremely positive on the court.
McKenna McIntosh – Vision 15 Gold
What a fun athlete. McIntosh of Vision 15 Gold in Northern California has a lot of maturity to her game. She is a pure six rotation outside hitter who can do anything. Her approach is textbook where her last two steps are so fast. She has the ability to mix up speeds as well where she is so tough to defend. She is another one of those players where the other side of the net has to be aware of where she is in serve receive as well as in the backrow. Her game is so dynamic.
Ryan Spencer – Dallas Skyline 15 Royal
There is an excitement to Ryan Spencer’s game. She plays with no fear and isn’t afraid to swing big. Like many of these outside hitters, she is able to hit the zone four to four shot cutting a sharp angle. She knows how to go deep corner and use the hands to her advantage. Again, add another top outside to the list of terminal 2027s out of Texas.
Lauren Forelli – Arizona Rev 15 Premier
So impressive. Forelli is another one who has a very mature game as a six rotation outside hitter for AZ Rev. She just glides on the court where she transitions really well from passing to attacking. She has a high contact and strong finish to her swing which really adds a ton of pop.
Tessa Larkin – Arizona Storm 15 Thunder
Tessa Larkin plays at a different speed. She is so fast to the ball with a fast arm where she can attack from anywhere. Watching her use the line is impressive. The way she can look like she will go cross court and then turn to take it down the line is just different. She is always in position to score and is a weapon in any rotation. AZ Storm 15 Thunder will be one of the top teams in their age group this year with the likes of Larkin and a really balanced team with her.
Ireland Real – WAVE 15 Brennan
Ireland Real just lights up the court for Wave 15 Brennan out of Southern California. She has a high contact point where she is sometimes hitting over the block at 6’4. She can hit a variety of shots and will find a way to score points. These California kids really put on a show this weekend. Real will be among the best in her class out of California with a huge upside.