Sunshine Classic Dream Team: 16 Open

<p><em><strong>Be sure to follow @lshotvb on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">Tik Tok </a>and <a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a> for all things volleyball!</strong></em></p>   <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7610188110449757471?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7597496589356025374"><strong><em></em></strong></a><strong><em><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7614960491164732686?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">Are these TWO teams, the BEST TEAMS in the COUNTRY?! </a></em></strong></em></strong></p>   <p><strong><em>--</em></strong></p>   <p>Sunshine Classic officially kicked off the qualifier season! And there was simply no better way to kick it off than this!</p>   <p>The 16 Open division was nothing short of a slugfest from every angle of the tournament. I feel like I say this way too much, but is this 2028 class THE class? If you were to watch anything from the age group at Sunshine Classic, i think you'd be agreeing with me.</p>   <p>For all of the marbles, it came down to the two BEST teams in the country. And when I mean best, both A5 and TAV are hanging amongst the stars above their competition. Before duking it out for the title, these two heavyweights managed to hold their semifinal opponents to an average set score of 25-14! This kind of domination doesn't just come from anyone. </p>   <p>Then we meet in the championship, this is a match up that we will be seeing time and time again. It was a back and forth brawl that saw A5 edge out TAV in a three set thriller. A match that saw TAV come from behind in each set by as much as 6-7 points! This was primetime volleyball at its finest.</p>   <p>But nonetheless, there is a LOT of good volleyball to talk about and no better way to start off then the Dream Team of 16 Open. Take a look.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kari Knotts - A5</h2>   <p>You may have to be living under a rock to not know this name by now. Kari Knotts is the 15 year old phenom taking the volleyball world by storm. She is playing an age up and yet still is so dominant. Wherever Knotts went this weekend, her presence on the court demanded attention. She towers on the attack and she can defend with the best.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bethany Benjamin - A5</h2>   <p>While Knotts may be one of the best attackers in the nation, I would put my vote out for Bethany Benjamin to be in the conversation for one of the best LIBEROS in the country right now. From her defensive reads to her vast coverage in the reception line and to her out of system setting abilities, Benjamin an unsung hero for A5.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Chelsea Torrence - A5</h2>   <p>Putting all of the poetry into motion, that is where Chelsea Torrence comes in for A5 and she does a flawless job of it. While she is gifted with the talented attackers that she does, Torrence demands the offense to another level. Her tempo, her location and her ability to run such complex systems within transition play is something that takes A5 16 Gabe from being great to virtually untouchable.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Maya Ogbogu - TAV</h2>   <p>Right alongside Knotts, I think it is fair to say Maya Ogbogu is right there as the poster children of volleyball's future. Ogbogu is a high flying, heavy swinging force of nature. In the championship match, it was truly a battle of the two heavyweights teeing off of each other back and forth. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mary-Christine Crutcher - TAV</h2>   <p>Mary-Christine Crutcher is another young gun playing up an age group, but looks nowhere near out of place. In fact, Crutcher fits right in to this high pace, electric level of play. Alongside Ogbogu, the two create a force to be reckoned with as there is no wavering in the offense prowess from TAV's side of net. MC's range as an attacker is something quite admirable given her age and she has a jaw dropping top spin serve that proved troublesome for MANY.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Payton Woodruff - Legacy</h2>   <p>It's safe to say that Payton Woodruff can run one heck of an offense. As this elite level setter grows in her game, we're seeing her become more and more creative and effective with her decisions. She doesn't have to rely on the flashiest of plays to put her hitters in good position to strike. She's smooth and consistent which allows her to run a diverse, effective offense.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quinn Nelson - Legacy</h2>   <p>Quinn Nelson's game continues to grow and become a staple piece for this Legacy squad. While she not be the most physical of attackers, she's seeing the court well and picking off her shots efficiently. As the weekend progressed, Nelson became more and more of a go-to arm and her overall game allowed her to effect the game in all six rotations. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Katherine Mitchell - Metro</h2>   <p>This Metro team is cooking up something electric this club season and Katherine Mitchell looks to be at the forefront of it all. While not the biggest, Mitchell more than makes up for it with her vertical and booming arm. She is the glue to this entire production as her offensive production and back court play makes her an undeniable presence.</p>   <p>--</p>   <p><strong><em><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7608664736950963487?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7597496589356025374">Check out the latest video from </a><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7612871256060251422?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7597496589356025374"><mark class="has-inline-color has-primary-color">Sunshine Classic</mark></a><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb/video/7608664736950963487?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7597496589356025374"> on Line Shot!!</a></em></strong></p>   <p></p>

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