Texas Standouts at USAV Nationals (17s)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Be sure to follow&nbsp;@lshotvb&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc">Tik Tok&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for all things volleyball!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Don't miss out on all the fun with Prep Dig this summer! Don</em></strong><em><strong>‘t miss out on more exposure! Sign up today for any of the upcoming&nbsp;<a href="https://prepdig.com/showcases-2/">Prep Dig Stock-Up and Freshman Showcases&nbsp;</a>using the code&nbsp;LineShotVBDig2024&nbsp;for a discounted rate!</strong></em>&nbsp;<em><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/showcases-2/">(CODE IS GOOD FOR ALL SHOWCASES ANY WHERE IN THE COUNTRY!)</a></strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>–</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the biggest stage of the club season, these players knew what it takes to put on a show!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Las Vegas, the 2024 USAV Girls Junior National Championships took place and man was it one for the books. With some of the best teams, best athletes from across the country in one spot, it was the volleyball mecca!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From the 16s Division to the 17s division. Not a thing has changed, these Texas girls bring the heat and nothing less! The 17 Open saw a flurry of teams competing for the ultimate crown. [program_tooltip program_id='510661' first='Houston' last='Skyline'] found themselves in the championship match, to get there, they would take down Dallas Skyline the semifinals. Plenty of more teams from the Lonestar state took center stage and performed at an electric level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's some of the top prospects from Texas at the Girls' Junior National Championship's 17 Open Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='179921' first='Sophia' last='Thornburg'] - Dallas Skyline</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This future Fighting Irish has really come into her own throughout the season. In Vegas, this was probably the best all-around performance I have seen of [player_tooltip player_id='179921' first='Sophia' last='Thornburg'] all season! Her first contact is always top notch, but her ability to score for Dallas Skyline was also so impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">ChiChi Nnaji - Dallas Skyline</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the right pin, this opposite has such a domineering presense. Chi Chi Nnaji stands at 6'5 and boasts a big vert too! When Nnaji gets into a rhythm on the court, she's virtually unstoppable. From her block to her rocket launching arm, Nnaji is another Notre Dame commit that was shining in Sin City.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kaelyn Sims - Dallas Skyline</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a sneaky player for Dallas Skyline. In the middle, Kaelyn Sims may look undersized to everyone off the court, but on the court she is one of the biggest players. Sims moves so well and efficiently at the net, it is what makes her as talented of a middle as she is. She's coming up clutch in her block work and follows up with an almost automatic side-out ball everytime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='212725' first='Kennedi' last='Rogers'] - AVA</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have come to the conclusion, that I would never want to see [player_tooltip player_id='212725' first='Kennedi' last='Rogers'] across the net from me! This left side attacker has such a blistering attack, if she's not going straight for court space, she's lighting up defenders left and right!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='182110' first='Megan' last='Fitch'] - Alamo</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another really exciting outside pin from Texas here in Vegas, this is the first that I have really got to watch Alamo in action. [player_tooltip player_id='182110' first='Megan' last='Fitch'] from first serve to last point is a shining star for them. She plays an incredibly solid six rotation game, attacking on all fronts at a high level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='212727' first='Jordan' last='Taylor'] - HJV</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This tower in the middle can really do some damage when she's in the groove. At 6'6, this Minnesota bound blocker is one of the best that this class has to offer. If attackers are able to get past her immense block, they will sadly be stricken by her booming swings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='180167' first='Hannah' last='Beauford'] - [program_tooltip program_id='510733' first='Drive' last='Nation']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This setter is always so competitive and playing at her best! She makes the game so fun to watch. [player_tooltip player_id='180167' first='Hannah' last='Beauford'] is one of the top setters out of the Dallas Metro and came to prove just why here in Vegas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='179916' first='Olivia' last='Wayne'] - TAV</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I got to really see [player_tooltip player_id='179916' first='Olivia' last='Wayne'] go off last year with [program_tooltip program_id='431200' first='Madfrog' last=''] in Chicago for USAVs. This year with TAV, Wayne continues to impress and seems to have an even bigger pop in her hop! The future Blue Devil managed to lead TAV to a close cross-over match against Michigan Elite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='179888' first='Kassidy' last='O'Brien'] - [program_tooltip program_id='510661' first='Houston' last='Skyline']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='179888' first='Kassidy' last='O'Brien'] has cemented herself beautifully as one of, if not, the best setters in this 2025 class. This Kentucky bound setter can run such a fast, yet precise and diverse offense. It is no wonder that they have been touted as one of the top teams in the nation for the entirety of 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='179898' first='Bailey' last='Warren'] - [program_tooltip program_id='510661' first='Houston' last='Skyline']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After watching [player_tooltip player_id='179898' first='Bailey' last='Warren'] have herself a time at the GJNC, I can only think of what a steal she is for the Wake Forest Deacs! This player may be undersized, but can fly sky high above her competition. Combine this with the speed of her arm, Warren is a point scorer that you want when its 13 all in a tie breaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">MacKenzie Collins - [program_tooltip program_id='510661' first='Houston' last='Skyline']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there is one thing about this [program_tooltip program_id='510661' first='Houston' last='Skyline'] team to put atop of your scouting report, it was that these middles are freaks of nature! I can't get over how fast, how high and how dominating MacKenzie Collins can jump and attack the ball! She is so quick and so deliberate with her moves, Collins had to have been one of the best scoring middles in this national tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->