AZNQ 15-17's Recap

<p>Over the last few weeks AZ has had all their regional national qualifiers with over 12 bids on the line. We were at all 3 age groups between 15-17 over the course of the last few weeks and have the recaps below. We are winding down the NQ season and can't wait to see how AZ does at nationals this year! Some of these teams we have below will be looking to make some noise at nationals and expect to see some podium finishes from these teams. </p>   <p>Here is how each AZNQ went for their age group:</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">17s Division (Marissa)</h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Teams Who Rose to the Top</h2>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">AZ Sky 17 Gold</h4>   <p>Sky put together a statement weekend, and it showed from start to finish. This is a group that's been battle-tested in Gold all season, and their composure in pressure moments continues to separate them. They secured the National bid—the highest AZ was offering at the time—and have since leveled up even further with an Open bid out of Reno. Well deserved.</p>   <p>They were dominant early, not dropping a set on Day 1 or in Day 2 pool play. When things tightened up, they responded—battling through a high-level matchup with Club One 17 Platinum to punch their ticket to the final. From there, they handled business, taking down Aspire in two to close it out.</p>   <p>Complete performance. Confident, controlled, and exactly what you expect from a team trending upward at the right time.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='827567' first='Olivia' last='Kauffman'] was a difference-maker, locking down the net as a serving middle while also anchoring defensively with high-level reads and discipline. [player_tooltip player_id='552844' first='Sienna' last='Cathey'] kept opponents guessing all weekend with her ability to score down the line, pairing her offensive efficiency with a strong, physical block.</p>   <p>All around, this was a complete performance from Sky. Confident, composed, and consistent—they looked exactly like a team ready to take the next step, and it's no surprise they finished on top.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Aspire 17 Alpha </h4>   <p>Coming in ranked #2, they backed it up from the jump—handling both Day 1 and Day 2 pool play with authority and not dropping a single set. But it was in the Gold bracket where this team really separated themselves. They rolled through Round 1 with a dominant showing and ultimately secured the American bid after a hard-fought finish against Sky.</p>   <p>This group was an absolute thrill to watch all weekend. What stood out most was their composure—steady, disciplined, and relentless no matter the moment. [player_tooltip player_id='931868' first='Aubrey' last='Butterfield'] and [player_tooltip player_id='703008' first='Kail' last='Shill'] ran a smooth, efficient offense, consistently making smart decisions and putting their hitters in great positions to score. That success was anchored by a rock-solid back row, with [player_tooltip player_id='735664' first='Isla' last='Little'] and Camryn Thrustyn controlling serve receive and defense, giving their setters every opportunity to stay in system. </p>   <p></p>   <p>They made it clear at AZNQ that they're one of the top contenders in the state—but this past weekend in Reno, they proved they can compete on a national stage, earning an Open bid and continuing their upward climb.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Club One 17 Platinum </h4>   <p>Club One made one thing clear at ANZQ—on any given day, they can finish on top.</p>   <p>Coming in ranked #4, they were tested early in a tough four-team pool, but handled Day 1 with confidence. Their biggest challenge came against bid holder EVJ 17 Elite, where they battled through a three-set match and came out on top, setting the tone for their run. Day 2 didn't get any easier. Another matchup with a bid team—Atomic 17 Smack Premier—stood in their way of the Final Four, and once again, Club One rose to the moment, grinding out another three-set win to put themselves in position.</p>   <p>This was a team that fought for everything they earned.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='822894' first='Brooklyn' last='Black'] continues to be a standout in the middle—consistent on her slide, disciplined and physical at the net, and a constant communicator who elevates those around her. [player_tooltip player_id='943053' first='Adelaide' last='Millhiser'] ran a composed, efficient offense, connecting well with her hitters and staying relentless even when out of system—never letting a play die.</p>   <p>Ocerall they finished 3rd, securing an American Bid. Club One didn't just earn a bid—they proved they belong in the conversation. One of the most competitive and impressive showings of the weekend.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Storm 17 Lightning </h4>   <p>This was another squad that had to earn every bit of their bid—and they did exactly that.</p>   <p>Coming in ranked #3, they cruised through Day 1 without dropping a set. Day 2, however, tested them. After taking care of Atomic 17 Smack Elite in two, they found themselves in a back-and-forth battle with a talented Zona squad. It went the distance, and they responded in a big way—closing it out in three to secure their bid.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='935393' first='Jenna' last='Arias'] ran a sharp, fast-tempo offense all weekend, delivering consistent, hittable balls and making quick decisions that kept her team in system and competitive. [player_tooltip player_id='883493' first='Brooke' last='Falkenborg'] made her presence felt in the middle—elevating well, creating defensive touches at the net, and staying smart with her shot selection, especially when working the corners.</p>   <p>In the Gold bracket, they continued to compete, putting up strong fights against Aspire 17 Alpha and Club One 17 Platinum. In the end, they locked in the Freedom bid—a testament to their grit, resilience, and ability to rise when it mattered most.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Shout Out Corner </h2>   <p><strong>Zona 17 Black -</strong> Although they didn't secure a bid this time around, this group put themselves in prime position as the next in line for a trickle-down—and they earned it with the way they competed. They battled their way into Day 2 and kept the momentum rolling. In the first round of Silver, they turned heads with a gritty three-set win over EVJ 17 Elite, proving once again that this is a team you can't overlook. This group competes with edge and resilience every time they step on the court. They're always in the fight, and it feels like only a matter of time before we see them on the national stage this summer.</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">16s Division (Anthony) </h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Teams Who Rose to the Top</h2>   <p><strong>Aspire 16 Alpha</strong></p>   <p>Dominate from start to finish as they came in as the one seed and left as the 16 AZNQ champions and secured their bid to the National division. Only dropping one set the whole weekend Aspire looked like one of the best teams in AZ for the 16s age group. They played fast, were disciplined, and have some really talented players on the squad.</p>   <p>Leading the way for Aspire this weekend was setter [player_tooltip player_id='787997' first='Jade' last='Smith'] who ran a very fast and effective offense and more importantly made smart decisions, and put hitters in strong scoring positions. On the defense and serve receive end you had [player_tooltip player_id='960298' first='London' last='Aldous'] who controlled the serve receive, extend rallies, and provide the defensive toughness every set that her team needed. She played with a lot of energy and passion that was fun to watch. On the pin you had Makenzie Owns who added the firepower, using her athleticism and attacking range to pressure opposing defenses and finish points in key moments.</p>   <p>Although those 3 stood out on the weekend, Aspire really got a ton of contributions from multiple people in different sets. They were the true definition of a team that is willing to do it all to win. </p>   <p><strong>Sky 16 Gold</strong></p>   <p>Came into the weekend ranked number 2 and left number 2 after some stellar play over the course of the two days. In probably the match of the tournament with a spot to the finals on the line they won in a dramatic 3 set match that saw them come back from being down 21-24 in set to winning the set 31-29. </p>   <p>Multiple players stood out for Gold this weekend but most notably [player_tooltip player_id='826238' first='Gabriella' last='Nucci'] stole the show throughout with her offense game play and shut down blocks. Anything time she was in the front row her team was doing good things and going on runs to get ahead. She is one of the players that can change the game the moment she gets on the floor. On the pin [player_tooltip player_id='730983' first='Peyton' last='Pearson'] was a steady presence all weekend providing that 6 rotational offensive/defensive game that all coaches love. She would earn her team points with her kills but could also help out with her serving and defense when needed as well. </p>   <p>When this team is on they are a dangerous team to face. They have a big presence in the middle and multiple pin hitters who get the job done. They should represent AZ well in the American division at nationals and can make a run at a title with this team that they have. </p>   <p><strong>Livewire 16 Prime</strong></p>   <p>After a relativity easy first 4 matches they had that amazing match with AZ Sky 16 Gold that they lost in one of the best matches on the weekend, but rebounded very nicely to win 3rd place in the next match. </p>   <p>Livewire did a great job being balanced with their team, getting contributions from multiple girls throughout the gold matches. A few girls who stood out to us were Georgette Roth, who was a big presence with her ability to shut down opposing hitters and her ability to score in multiple positions along the front row. [player_tooltip player_id='786065' first='Ava' last='Romero'] also did a great job on the pin, being able to terminate both in system and out of system balls throughout the matches. Lastly [player_tooltip player_id='937073' first='Lily' last='Pease'] was excellent with her stellar defensive/serve receive ability throughout the matches. </p>   <p>This is a great 16's team that should represent AZ well at the national level. They can compete with all the 16s teams here and have done well at multiple NQ's this season. Getting this American bid was great for them and we expect them to do well at USAV this year. </p>   <p><strong>Club Cactus 16 Mizuno</strong></p>   <p>Started the tournament 4-0 to make the gold bracket where they ran into Aspire 16 Alpha and were the only team to take a set off Aspire and almost got them in the third set. They ended up in 4th place but showed why they are the best team in southern AZ, and you could make the argument the best out of any age group. </p>   <p>Leading the way for Club Cactus was pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='837349' first='Rilynn' last='Brown']! She was all over the place in the gold bracket matches, leading her team in kills, touches, and basically every statistical category she could get as a pin hitter. She is a very dynamic player who can score in so many ways and really carried the load for this team in their matches. Monique Snell also was a stand out at the net for them as well, continually putting up good blocks and being a threat on the offensive end. Lastly [player_tooltip player_id='779409' first='Paige' last='Clarke'] looked great on the offensive end, continually running the show and running a efficient offense.</p>   <p>Overall this southern AZ team has a ton of talent and got a well deserved bid to nationals. They should be a team that you should get out and see at the last open tournament early next month. A ton of talent in the class of 2028! </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Shout Out Corner</h2>   <p><strong>EVJ 16 Elite</strong>: They ended up 2nd in silver but after watching them live this weekend they have a ton of talent on this team. It is a shame we didn't get out to see more of them as they are a really high level team that can beat some good teams but here in AZ and on the national level. Some standouts that we can't wait to see more of include: [player_tooltip player_id='895335' first='Elyse' last='Wolf'] and [player_tooltip player_id='785180' first='Sophia' last='Sherman']. Both these two were so dominate at times for this team, and you could argue were the best players on the floor each time they had a match! </p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">15s Division (Marissa) </h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Teams Who Rose to the Top</h2>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Aspire 15 Alpha </h4>   <p>This team owned their weekend at AZNQ.</p>   <p>Coming in ranked #2 and fresh off strong Open-level finishes, expectations were high—and they delivered. They didn't drop a set in Day 1 or Day 2 pool play, carrying that momentum straight into bracket. From there, they never let up, going undefeated the entire weekend. They took down bid holder Club One 15 Platinum and capped it off with a win over AZ Sky 15 Gold to claim the National bid.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='885187' first='Rylee' last='Asanovich'] was outstanding—steady, precise with her ball delivery, and consistently a step ahead in decision-making. She added value on the defensive side as well, helping keep her team in system. In the middle, [player_tooltip player_id='942065' first='Gloria' last='Bankston'] was a force—quick laterally, explosive on her attack, and physical at the net with her ability to press and control space.</p>   <p>Complete dominance from start to finish. A National bid that was absolutely earned.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Sky 15 Gold</h4>   <p>CComing in ranked #1, they backed it up from the first whistle. They handled Day 1 and Day 2 pool play with confidence, but were truly tested in a three-set battle with EVJ 15 Elite. It was a nail-biter that pushed them to the limit, and they responded—coming out on top to secure their spot in Gold.</p>   <p>In bracket play, they kept competing at a high level. A tight two-set win over 15 Lightning showed their ability to close, before a hard-fought matchup with Aspire where they ultimately fell short.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='888742' first='Marilyn' last='Shepston'] was steady and smart on serve receive, making high-level decisions in transition—knowing when to tool, tip, or terminate. [player_tooltip player_id='962832' first='Morgan' last='Thorne'] brought a physical presence on the pin, attacking with power and consistency while also making an impact at the net with her block.</p>   <p>This group is loaded with talent and plays like it. Finishing second at AZNQ and earning an American bid is no small feat. If they continue building together, they'll be a problem for a long time.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Club One 15 Platinum</h4>   <p>Officially double-bided, this group just keeps trending up. With multiple weapons across the court, they look like a team ready to make real noise at Regionals and Nationals.</p>   <p>Day 1 tested them, but they held firm to their #3 seed. Day 2, they flipped the switch—undefeated in pool play and securing their second bid. In Gold, they battled hard against Alpha, then responded with a strong win over Storm 15 Lightning to finish third.</p>   <p>Gisela Pavon-Griego and [player_tooltip player_id='891980' first='Bela' last='Salazar'] anchor the back row with high-level reads, constant communication, and coverage that keeps plays alive and turns defense into points. [player_tooltip player_id='888751' first='Brynne' last='Harwood'] continues to elevate this team as a true six-rotation threat—impacting the match as both a hitter and setter while bringing steady energy in pressure moments.</p>   <p>They've proven it again: this is a top 15s team in Arizona, and they're not slowing down.</p>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Storm 15 Lightning</h4>   <p>Grit and tenacity defined this team's weekend. Every Gold bracket match was a battle, and they proved they could go toe-to-toe with anyone in the field.</p>   <p>Coming in ranked #5, they handled Day 1 with confidence, not dropping a set. Day 2 brought tighter competition, but they stayed composed in a tough pool and earned their spot as one of the four bid winners. In Gold, they pushed Sky to two razor-close sets, showing just how dangerous they are. Then in the 3rd place match, they went the distance with Club One in another three-set fight, ultimately locking in the Freedom bid.</p>   <p>Tatumn Cutchen was outstanding—relentless in pursuit, aggressive in her attack, and a true six-rotation presence who plays with edge and heart. [player_tooltip player_id='965511' first='Colbie' last='Wouters'] made her impact felt in multiple ways, running a smooth offense while also being a smart, effective option on the right side.</p>   <p>A well-earned bid for a team that competes at a high level and doesn't back down. Excited to see what's next for this group.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Shout Out Corner </h2>   <p><strong>EVJ 15 Elite -</strong> This group battled all weekend, fueled by the relentless energy of setter [player_tooltip player_id='879038' first='Camryn' last='Stillwell']. They're the kind of team that refuses to let a play die—extending rallies, competing for every point, and staying in the fight no matter the moment. They put themselves in the right position for a trickle-down bid, and capitalized when the opportunity came. A well-earned result for a team that plays with grit and purpose. Excited to see what they do with it.</p>   <p>We are so proud of the way AZ has competed this season, and know you guys aren't done yet!</p>   <p>As always, send us your schedules and be sure to follow us on Instagram!</p>   <p>@PrepDigArizona, @CoachMarissaMorah, and @PrepDigAnthony.</p>

Over the last few weeks AZ has had all their regional national qualifiers with over 12 bids on the line. We were at all 3 age groups between 15-17 over the course of the last few weeks and have the recaps below. We are winding down the NQ season and can't wait to see how AZ does at nationals this year! Some of these teams we have below will be looking to make some noise at nationals and expect to see some podium finishes from these teams.