Texas Middles to Have In Mind at U18 Nationals

The 2025-2026 club season is just about to end for the class of 2026 players, as this weekend, many of them will compete in the season-ending 2026 USA Volleyball Girls U18 Junior National Championship.   The three-day event will take place between Friday and Sunday in Reno, Nevada, and feature nearly 500 teams from all over the country, which will compete in its seven divisions.   The state of Texas will be represented by as many as 53 teams, which are spread across the divisions - American (9), Freedom (4), Liberty (9), National (5), Open (6), Patriot (5) and USA (15).   It will be the last opportunity to see some of the most talented players from the Lone Star State in action with their club jerseys, and, as the start of the event approaches, we're pointing out some of them who are definitely worth watching one final time.   The middle blockers are up next:    Bailey is part of the TAV 18 Black Jason team that will compete in the event's Open Division. She's incredibly intense and dynamic, and delivers a strong presence at the net for the team. Bailey is extremely well-versed offensively, being capable of hitting many different sets in the middle and making the most of her superior vertical to overcome opposing blockers and put the ball down. Her footwork is excellent and allows her to always be an option for her setter, while also equipping her with elite mobility when she works to block opponents at the net.     Nix plays for the Areté 18 Navy Telos that will be among the contenders in the Liberty Division in Nevada. Standing at 6'2", she has a solid all-around game and can play in any of the three positions at the net and make an impact. Nix's blocking is one of her strengths, as she has good mobility and is very aggressive and intimidating with how she places her arms above the net to shut opponents down. Her offense is very versatile, as she can hit from anywhere, and productive, as she does a good job of benefiting from her high contact point and powerful right arm to put the ball down.     Pyle is a key piece in the [program_tooltip program_id='462263' first='TAV' last='Houston'] 18 Black team that's entered in the National Division. A high-scoring middle, she combines size, athleticism and vision in a very productive way for her team at the net. Pyle can hit many different sets in the middle, but also does well when working with high sets at the pin, and can be very difficult to stop when she gets going offensively. She's very active with her blocking, too, reading the game well and showing great technique to get touches above the net.     Kettler plays for the NHouston Elite 18 Premier team that will be in action in the event's USA Division. A six-footer, she's as physical and anyone and can hold her own in tough battles at the net. Kettler is very strong offensively, standing out for her high contact point and powerful right arm, firing swings that opposing defenders struggle to control. The middle also makes a big impact with her blocking, showing great quickness to react and get off the ground, and being capable of putting up a big wall in front of opposing hitters.     Funk and her HJV 18 Elite team are among the teams competing in the National Division in Reno. Very long and extremely intelligent, she typically puts up big numbers on both sides of the ball, making a major impact in her team's game. Her offense is very consistent and diversified, as she's capable of overpowering opponents with big swings, but also of putting the ball down with well-placed tips. Funk makes an arguably even larger impact with her blocking, as she not only gets stops at a good volume, but also tends to come up with blocks in key moments of matches.

The 2025-2026 club season is just about to end for the class of 2026 players, as this weekend, many of them will compete in the season-ending 2026 USA Volleyball Girls U18 Junior National Championship.