GJNC Preview: 16 Open and National

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are on to our 16s Preview as we lead up to nationals. We will start our preview with the Open and National divisions</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">16 Open</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Only one team from the areas I cover qualified in the Open division and no surprises with <strong>Pohaku 16-1</strong> making the field. They had a tough run during the earlier qualifying tournaments but it clicked for them in Kansas City at Show Me. They are based on the Kansas side but we highlight them due to players like Park Hill's [player_tooltip player_id='222072' first='Brooke' last='Brown'] being a Missouri player. She is a back-row defender who has been steady for them this year. Pohaku will open play in pool two on Wednesday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">16 National</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mavs 816 16-1</strong> will represent the Heart of America region. The Gateway Region will have <strong>HPSTL 16 Royal </strong>on hand. HPSTL will be the highest ranked on day one, coming in at 13th and in pool 2. They captured their region's bid during in-season tournament play. They had a couple of close calls in qualifier play, coming just short of Open bids, and should be considered a favorite. They have a deep roster that features recent Florida St. commit [player_tooltip player_id='221230' first='Bennett' last='Raterman'] in the middle. She won't be the only problem as fellow middle [player_tooltip player_id='222058' first='Katherine' last='Byergo'] has had a breakout spring. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mavs is in the fourth pool and will start at the 15th spot. They were strong in their region's power league to capture a bid. They played a heavy Open qualifier schedule and will also be in the hunt on the last day. [player_tooltip player_id='220462' first='Madilynn' last='Benne'] is a lights-out libero who recently committed to Arkansas. They also feature two Park Hill players, Park Hill South's [player_tooltip player_id='219763' first='Peyton' last='Liming'] and Park Hill's [player_tooltip player_id='222074' first='Parker' last='Kimball'], who contribute on the front line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->