Open Division Sweep for TAV at Lone Star Classic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the hardest National Qualifiers of the year is in full swing in Dallas, TX this weekend.&nbsp; Being held at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in downtown Dallas, this qualifier brings the best teams from all over the nation under one roof toward the end of the season. &nbsp;The Open divisions in all age groups are the pinnacle of competition that every team wants to be at.&nbsp; Only the strongest will survive the gauntlet and come out as champions.&nbsp; One club has raised the bar this season and seems to have established a monopoly at the podium.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='431308' first='Texas' last='Advantage'] Volleyball out of the North Texas region has always been one of the top clubs when it comes to Open division championships.&nbsp; This season is no different as they are proving it in the 15s-17's age groups.&nbsp; In arguably the toughest national qualifier in the nation, three of their teams raised the banner as undefeated champions in the highest division level there is.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAV 15 Black Jason</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This super squad went undefeated in matches at a perfect 10-0 and only dropped four individual sets on their way to the being crowned as champs in 15 Open.&nbsp; Their roster is littered with stars and they work very well together.&nbsp; It all starts with the pass and they have a great back row with [player_tooltip player_id='580658' first='Caitlin' last='Carrizales'] at he helm.&nbsp; While a lot of younger liberos can be gifted in either serve receive passing or digging on defense, she excels in both at a very high level.&nbsp; This offense flows well because she provides great passes to her setters consistently.&nbsp; The two setters who run this show are [player_tooltip player_id='743783' first='Evann' last='Beville'] and [player_tooltip player_id='548605' first='Norah' last='Hicks'].&nbsp; They follow their coaches instructions to a T as they feed their horses accurately and consistently.&nbsp; The golden left arm of [player_tooltip player_id='765096' first='Sarah' last='Floyd'] is one big reason why this team is so dangerous.&nbsp; Everyone must know where she is at all times in order to track her routes and be positioned to defend against her lethal arsenal of attacks.&nbsp; Everyone knows that at this level any team can be good with one amazing attacker getting a majority of the sets, but in order to be great, you must have some other heat going to your opponent.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='580713' first='Trinity' last='Johnson'], Nicole Jacobson, Katy Mcgough, [player_tooltip player_id='765100' first='Katie' last='Wawersich'], Finley Orr, and [player_tooltip player_id='535468' first='Olivia' last='Permenter'] can bang with the best of them.&nbsp; The shots keep coming from everywhere and the defense has no time to breathe.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAV 16 Black Paul</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 16's age group is where a lot of separation happens.&nbsp; Once freshman make their jump to sophomore, growth spurts happen and players get stronger.&nbsp; This team has always been the cream of the crop as the years have gone by and this year, they had a few changes to their roster that could have shaken them up.&nbsp; They are proving that they are still the team to beat with amazing teamwork and athleticism.&nbsp; Their impressive run to the championship had a strong 10-0 undefeated record and only dropped two individual sets all weekend long.&nbsp; It all starts with super setter [player_tooltip player_id='518965' first='Sophee' last='Peterson'] who is making a strong case for player of the year and top billing as the nations best overall player in her grad class.&nbsp; There is nothing that she cannot do on the court at a high level and it is almost as if the game is slowed down in her brain as you watch her make decisions on the court.&nbsp; She has some amazing teammates that are helping her win championships.&nbsp; All-world outside hitter and setter [player_tooltip player_id='534299' first='Brynn' last='Stephens'] has spent a lot more time this season as a primary attacker in the offense and it has transitioned into a high-octane machine.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='534308' first='Lexi' last='Martin'] is still doing [player_tooltip player_id='534308' first='Lexi' last='Martin'] things at the net.&nbsp; She continues to be a point-scoring machine that is not afraid of big moments.&nbsp; Onita Davis and [player_tooltip player_id='534300' first='Nyla' last='Livings'] have really burst onto the scene as middles and are helping solidify this team as a defensive juggernaut.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='534373' first='Naomi' last='Livings'] is showing that she can be a huge weapon for this team's offense.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='534316' first='Ansley' last='Shafer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='443042' first='Siena' last='Ebert'] have really become a huge part of why this team is so special.&nbsp; This back row duo covers a lot of ground and really plays off of each other well.&nbsp; This year they added [player_tooltip player_id='694108' first='Allie' last='Hudgins'] to their roster and she is fitting in nicely keeping the firepower strong.&nbsp; If you have not seen this squad play, you should grab some popcorn and watch the show.&nbsp; They are really entertaining and should be in the running for another Open title come this summer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAV 17 Black Jon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This squad has had some big adversity happen with a devastating medical issue to their awesome coach recently and have really come together to show him that they will win for him.&nbsp; This team is no stranger to us as we have covered them a lot over the past few years.&nbsp; They play extremely well together and have almost no weaknesses.&nbsp; In dominating fashion, they had a perfect match record of 10-0 and also only dropped two individual sets against some amazing competition.&nbsp; There is no questioning that one huge reason for their success lies in the “hands” of their two awesome setters.&nbsp; The duo of [player_tooltip player_id='253969' first='Anna' last='Flores'] and [player_tooltip player_id='300846' first='Danielle' last='Whitmire'] are second to none across the nation.&nbsp; Both are magicians with the ball in their hands and the offense does not falter at all as they move through all six rotations.&nbsp; The back row duo of [player_tooltip player_id='756614' first='Georgia' last='Whann'] and [player_tooltip player_id='235445' first='Julianna' last='Hernandez'] make it very difficult for any servers to have success.&nbsp; If I were an opposing coach, I would not even try to test them by calling their zones.&nbsp; Your best bet to get this team out of system is to move the ball elsewhere.&nbsp; Once the ball is passed, it is pick your poison.&nbsp; Which attacker do you want to die by?&nbsp; I don't think there is a good choice when you have players like [player_tooltip player_id='320954' first='Kylie' last='Kleckner'], [player_tooltip player_id='318202' first='Layla' last='Austin'], [player_tooltip player_id='254160' first='Hannah' last='Lee'], [player_tooltip player_id='295124' first='Kinsley' last='Young'], [player_tooltip player_id='318135' first='Armie' last='Hall'] and [player_tooltip player_id='254084' first='Brooklyn' last='Bailey'].&nbsp; This team is very fun to watch and is littered with stars.&nbsp; If you like high level ball, give them a watch and you will not be disappointed.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The level at which all three of these squads are playing is very impressive.&nbsp; They have been doing it all season long and have a great shot at completing the sweep at USA Nationals this summer.&nbsp; We will be watching them very closely as they have a lot of time to focus on bettering their craft until then.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are many more amazing teams and players that will be written about.&nbsp; Stay tuned for more articles on your favorite athletes.&nbsp; If you have anyone you think we should watch out for, please shoot me an email with some info at <a href="mailto:Michael@prepdig.com">Michael@prepdig.com</a>.&nbsp; You can also DM me on Instagram or X by searching @CoachMikeDZ.&nbsp; Also don't forget to help these kids get more exposure by sharing our stories with your friends.&nbsp; Help us help them by simply reposting on X, Instagram or sharing on Facebook.&nbsp; Thanks for following Prep Dig Family!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->