Team Profile: Elite VBTC 17 Black

This club consistently features high value talent that is athletic, competes well, and develops well across the full range of the game. Their current Elite VBTC 17 Black team epitomizes this is all aspects. Winning the MLK Extravaganza 17 Premier division with an unbeaten record, they recently followed that up with a trip to Washington D.C. to compete in the Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic. Among some elite teams and athletes in the 17 Open division, they finished 5th overall with a 6-2 record after a tough three-set defeat in the quarterfinal round. With good skills at each position, their ability to be aggressive and efficient is key to them creating opportunities for success in big matches. Here's how their roster breaks down.   POINT SCORING   Pins   [player_tooltip player_id='844111' first='Rasherly' last='Caceres'] - It has been so fun to watch Caceres' development over the past couple of seasons as she has become more fluid and assertive as a hitter. She is terminating on the right side with impressive results as she gets to the ball well on her last two steps that allows her to be on balance in the air and use an aggressive swing.   [player_tooltip player_id='763924' first='Avery' last='Asp'] - Asp has good six-rotation skills. She can pass, defend, and swing to broaden her impact for this team. Using a good double-arm lift when hitting, she can get up on balance and max her lift. Her ball control and defense are created by her efficient reaction and the long platform and angles she has to expand her range.   [player_tooltip player_id='910479' first='Avery' last='Yeaple'] - With good footwork in her transition and approach patterns, Yeaple prepares her self well to close and get up and swing. She makes good adjustments to the set tempo and location and is reliable in her contact and control to quality swings to score or help get opponents out of system. At 5'11, she can also contribute in the passing and defensive phases as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='949286' first='Marly' last='Johnson'] - The 5'11 Johnson helps bring good depth for this team's full rotation. With passing skills to support their serve receive action and defense, she does good work on the offensive side in how she pursues the ball well with her last two steps to drive the ball with good purpose. Johnson creates more point scoring opportunities with her ability to produce from both sides of the court.   Middles   [player_tooltip player_id='827625' first='Peyton' last='Hanna'] - Length, athleticism, and versatility is what Hanna brings to the middle. She can approach from different spots with the same outcomes in creating space and timing around her setter that she uses well in combination with her physical tools. She gets up and can get the ball onto the defense quickly with her arm speed.   [player_tooltip player_id='759735' first='Rian' last='Strickland'] - What Strickland might lack in length compared to her middle teammates, she makes up for in her effort and aggressiveness. She tracks the ball well and approaches with intent to get up and swing with good force. When on time in the air she has good arm control to swing to the edges of the defense with good results.   [player_tooltip player_id='814942' first='Katelyn' last='Zimmerman'] - Featured recently as part of the 2027 rankings update, Zimmerman is also a lengthy and rangy middle, helping to make up one of the best middle trios on the Ohio 17U circuit. She brings a different look with her arm as she leads with a high elbow that helps create her reach and extension with ability to force the ball to the opponent's court quickly.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/12/KylieTrout-crop-1799x1182-1771899931.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-949279" /></figure>   BALL CONTROL   [player_tooltip player_id='518939' first='Kylie' last='Trout'] - The Bowling Green State commit has a full range of tools, but where she thrives and makes the biggest impact for this team is in the first-touch phase. She is efficient in her movement with quickness to defend big space. Her competitive experience is a big asset given her steady presence and contributions from the back row.   DISTRIBUTION   [player_tooltip player_id='924861' first='Kacey' last='Anderson'] - Showing good relationships with her middles through different options, Anderson can sling it to the pins with good accuracy in her tempo and location that can create advantages for her hitters. She can be equally as good on the move as in the pocket.   [player_tooltip player_id='949285' first='Brielle' last='Risner'] - The 5'10 Risner has a long frame as a setter and does good work to get her hands up early and high to create a consistent look to her distribution. Her against-the-flow action is good in that she is not afraid to send the ball to her pins when on the move along the net, which can help get them some space to swing and score through.

This club consistently features high value talent that is athletic, competes well, and develops well across the full range of the game. Their current Elite VBTC 17 Black team epitomizes this is all aspects. Winning the MLK Extravaganza 17 Premier division with an unbeaten record, they recently followed that up with a trip to Washington D.C. to compete in the Capitol Hill Volleyball Classic. Among some elite teams and athletes in the 17 Open division, they finished 5th overall with a 6-2 record after a tough three-set defeat in the quarterfinal round. With good skills at each position, their ability to be aggressive and efficient is key to them creating opportunities for success in big matches. Here's how their roster breaks down.