NTI Bid Championship: 16Open

This past weekend was the North Texas Invitational Power Pool Bid Tournament and it was a fight to see! 15 teams in the 16 Open Gold bracket battled it out Sunday morning. It was quite a day as teams continued to push the limits for points. These teams looked phenomenal, but of course someone has to come out on top. The final game came down to [program_tooltip program_id='475085' first='1United' last=''] 16N Blue and Skyline 16 Black, and these girls came to PLAY! [program_tooltip program_id='475085' first='1United' last=''] took the gold, but both teams had great talent worth mentioning, so let's talk about who stood out.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='475085' first='1United' last=''] </h2>    Grace McGinnis is a dynamic outside hitter for [program_tooltip program_id='475085' first='1United' last=''] who brings both power and poise every time she steps on the court. With an incredible swing and explosive athleticism, she elevates above the net with ease and finishes points with confidence. Her jump is eye-catching, her serve is a true weapon, and her all-around presence energizes her teammates. Grace plays with a calm confidence that makes even the toughest plays look effortless, setting the tone as a reliable scorer and a steady force in every rotation.     Kezie Busse, the libero for [program_tooltip program_id='475085' first='1United' last=''], is the steady backbone of the team's defense. Doing a phenomenal job keeping the back row under control. In the midst of a weekend filled with chaos and unpredictable rallies, Kezie remained composed and disciplined, consistently putting herself in the right position and keeping her defense in line. Her court awareness, quick reactions, and fearless effort allow her to turn disorder into organization, giving her teammates confidence on every play. Kezie's leadership and reliability make her an invaluable presence on the floor and a key reason [program_tooltip program_id='475085' first='1United' last=''] stays competitive in high-pressure moments.     Aubrielle Burtin, the middle blocker for [program_tooltip program_id='475085' first='1United' last=''], is a forceful presence on the court. She brings energy and intensity to every point. She is the teammate who lifts everyone around her, playing with passion and positivity that fuels the team's momentum. With a powerful swing in the middle and an even bigger block at the net, Aubrielle consistently disrupts opponents and helps her team stay ahead. Her combination of strength, timing, and high-energy play makes her a difference-maker on both sides of the ball.    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Skyline</h2>    [player_tooltip player_id='940666' first='Cashlyn' last='Williamson'], DS/L for Skyline Juniors, is a defensive spark who seems to be everywhere in the back row. She moves exceptionally well, reads the ball early, and puts herself in position to make tough defensive plays look routine. Her instincts and hustle allow her to track down attacks and extend rallies, bringing energy and confidence to the floor. Simply put, Cashlyn is the player who is going to touch everything, and her relentless defense makes a huge impact.     [player_tooltip player_id='575121' first='Emery' last='Thompson'], setter for Skyline takes on the demanding role playing 6 rotations and proves her value in every one. She runs a clean, consistent tempo that puts her hitters in great positions to score, showing strong court awareness and decision-making. Emery isn't afraid to reverse the flow of the offense, keeping defenses guessing and creating opportunities when the game gets tight. Her versatility, confidence, and steady leadership make her a reliable anchor for her team from start to finish.     [player_tooltip player_id='580714' first='Valentina' last='Betancourt'], a pin hitter for Skyline Juniors, brings an explosive presence to the court with her big jump and aggressive swing. She attacks with confidence and intensity, putting constant pressure on opposing defenses and finishing points with authority. What truly sets Valentina apart is her unmatched energy—she plays with passion that is contagious, lifting her teammates and keeping momentum high whenever she's on the floor. Her combination of athleticism, power, and fire makes her a difference-maker in every match.

This past weekend was the North Texas Invitational Power Pool Bid Tournament and it was a fight to see! 15 teams in the 16 Open Gold bracket battled it out Sunday morning. It was quite a day as teams continued to push the limits for points. These teams looked phenomenal, but of course someone has to come out on top. The final game came down to 1United 16N Blue and Skyline 16 Black, and these girls came to PLAY! 1United took the gold, but both teams had great talent worth mentioning, so let's talk about who stood out.