Nike Classic Preview: 16 Open

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A handful of Ohio Valley Region teams are among the favorites at the upcoming Nike Classic, one of the early three-day events helping to kick off what should be an exciting club season in 2026. The 16 Open division is highlighted by the following teams, including some key talent to see.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 Seed - AVC 16 Red<br></strong>Where this team's strength lies is in their ball control, defense, and their balance of pin action from both sides of the court. [player_tooltip player_id='512410' first='Lola' last='Loncar'] and [player_tooltip player_id='884180' first='Dani' last='Hubert'] anchor that first-touch phase as they also get great serve receive support from both [player_tooltip player_id='582210' first='Grace' last='Regula'] and [player_tooltip player_id='832169' first='Frankie' last='Brkic'], two six-rotation pins that can do a lot for their team while bringing back some high quality veteran experience at the net. [player_tooltip player_id='749315' first='Taylor' last='Simmons'] and [player_tooltip player_id='766043' first='Emily' last='Hay'] bring versatility to the net. As both can contribute at the right pin with their length, Simmons brings some of the best athleticism and is a proven scorer from the left side as Hay adds depth to the middle position if needed. Count on setters [player_tooltip player_id='563105' first='Kaylie' last='Liepins'] and <strong>Gabi Weidemann</strong> to do a job of balance how they use their offensive options. Getting points and activity from [player_tooltip player_id='875820' first='Ashlyn' last='Lazarus'] and [player_tooltip player_id='749983' first='Lauren' last='Locker'] in the middle will be a huge bonus as both can score effectively, which will apply a lot of pressure to opposing defenses when this group can get production in all offensive phases. Efficient passing will establish the tempo they like to run, which should benefit all arms to have their moments while driving this team to deep success on the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4 Seed - [program_tooltip program_id='430852' first='Tri-State' last='Elite'] 16 Blue</strong><br>This is a team that has skills and depth to challenge the top-seeded teams from Legacy (MI) and NKYVC. They bring a lot of fire power in their offense at every position led by the 6'2 pin length of <strong>Charlotte Patton</strong>. The Kentucky product is a high touch and high volume point scorer. [player_tooltip player_id='510903' first='Lowe' last='Long'] is another pin that can swing aggressively and score in big moments when called upon. What she may lack in contact point compared to Patton, she makes up for in the pace and range she can develop with her arm. Another big strength for this team is their corps of middles that will contribute around the setter both in front and behind, whether off one foot or in assuming some responsibility as a right side attacker and blocker. [player_tooltip player_id='875504' first='Aubrey' last='McDaniel'], [player_tooltip player_id='534194' first='Willow' last='Smith'], and [player_tooltip player_id='582228' first='Lauren' last='Williams'] each have the ability to ignite their team on both sides of the ball and their differing strengths. The balance of their ball control is established by some of the Cincy areas top DS/L prospects in [player_tooltip player_id='582220' first='Lilly' last='Mollner'], <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='582221' first='Kelsey' last='Bareswilt']</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='768410' first='Allison' last='MacPherson'], and through the elite skills set from [player_tooltip player_id='582218' first='Maggie' last='Timmerman'] (*pictured), a 2028 prospect already garnering interest and attention from multiple Power 4 schools at the next level. [player_tooltip player_id='582222' first='Mya' last='Bosse'] is the setter and has a big job as the primary distributor. However, she is coming off a terrific high school season through which she commanded a solid offense to help lead her team to a deep postseason run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"left"} --> <p class="has-text-align-left"><strong>#5 Seed - [program_tooltip program_id='431555' first='Mintonette' last=''] m.61</strong><br><span style="color: initial;font-size: revert">The volleyball machine from Columbus that is [program_tooltip program_id='431555' first='Mintonette' last=''] is consistently represented by teams that most clubs circle on their schedules as they are historically a juggernaut of talent and success. Their top 16U team is another one of those that will battle to the end and win a lot of matches given their talent as well as high efficiency-low error focus. They feature multiple top prospects in the Prep Dig Ohio 2028 rankings, including adding some key pieces for this season. Additionally, they also are represented by one of the best 2027 athletes in [player_tooltip player_id='763887' first='Ally' last='Thornsley'], a terrific two-way player that can contribute with high impact as a setter and with her arm at the pins. Some of her best point scoring options to deliver to include outside hitter [player_tooltip player_id='808098' first='Sedona' last='Weisbrod'], a crafty arm from the left side, [player_tooltip player_id='828649' first='Abby' last='Holloway'], and [player_tooltip player_id='835307' first='Maddie' last='Ryan'], another powerful attacker. The middle position features some big presence from [player_tooltip player_id='721566' first='Sloan' last='Parker'], while [player_tooltip player_id='582214' first='Sophia' last='Basham'] and [player_tooltip player_id='767553' first='Leah' last='Caudill'] have tools to swing through quick options or compete at the right pin. The addition of [player_tooltip player_id='582208' first='Eliana' last='Ashley'], a highly rated middle, is a huge gain for this squad. As physical as she is through quick options, she can also terminate at the right pin with high impact. Expect her to be featured a lot over the season. [player_tooltip player_id='582212' first='Carsyn' last='Chitty'], one of the top DS/L prospects in the Ohio 2028 class, anchors the ball control as [player_tooltip player_id='721314' first='Madeline' last='Lane'] and newcomer [player_tooltip player_id='911530' first='Mena' last='Gonzalez'] will add depth. Gonzalez can also bring point scoring as an attacker. Adding to the setting role is [player_tooltip player_id='783140' first='Chloe' last='Yao'], a talented prospect that is capable of running this team through her hands, especially if they focus on a 6-2 game plan with Thornsley setting and swinging. As this group will be learning to play with one another early in the season as they have core returners and new contributors, expect them to challenge for the podium at each event. </span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Ohio Teams to Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='431827' first='Elevation' last=''] 16 Renfro</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='431717' first='Spirit' last='VBC'] 16-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='431711' first='Boss' last='CLE'] 16-1</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>[program_tooltip program_id='431555' first='Mintonette' last=''] m.62.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->