USAV National Preview: 15 Open

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have arrived at Championship Week at USAV Nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana. Let's take a quick look at the teams making the journey, starting with the 15s, who kick things off on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the Open Division, our area will be represented by [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 15 Black, [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] 15-1, [program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] 15 Elite, Mavs 15 Elite, HPSTL 15 Royal, and NLVA 15 Girourd.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] enters as the highest seed of the group at No. 5, with [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] close behind at No. 7. Those seedings also determine the pools they will begin in. [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] earned its bid at Windy City with a third-place finish. This is a battle-tested group that has played together for years and has consistently performed at a high level throughout the season. Led by Belton product [player_tooltip player_id='793164' first='Summer' last='Fogel'], [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] has the offensive fire[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] and defensive stability to make a deep run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] was one of the first teams in the region to punch its ticket, earning a bid with a dominant, undefeated run through MEQ in March. We've talked extensively about this group throughout the season, and for good reason. They have proven they can compete with the nation's best, highlighted by a deep run at Triple Crown. [player_tooltip player_id='938175' first='Brylie' last='Milo'] recently received some well-deserved attention, but don't overlook [player_tooltip player_id='557372' first='Piper' last='Hudson'], who continues to be a key contributor on the outside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] joins [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] in Pool 7 as the No. 14 seed in the Open field. They secured their bid at Pacific Northwest with a third-place finish after also being right in the mix with [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] and [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] at MEQ. [player_tooltip player_id='774316' first='Danaya' last='Petkova'] is a versatile pin hitter who does an excellent job mixing shots and finding open space on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heading back west, Mavs earned their bid at Big South through a trickle-down fifth-place finish. Grace Toner, one of their middles, impressed at the Midwest Pre-National Tournament earlier this month. This is a team that competes for every point and won't be an easy out for anyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second Gateway-region bid went to HPSTL 15 Royal, which will begin play in Pool 2. Their bid came via an at-large selection from Salt Lake City. As many will remember, the SLC qualifier was loaded with teams that had already secured bids, creating several at-large opportunities. [player_tooltip player_id='789619' first='Isabella' last='Marecek'] is a defender we've followed throughout the club season and has been a steady force in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out the HOA and Gateway representatives is [program_tooltip program_id='432169' first='Next' last='Level Volleyball Academy'] (NLVA), a team that earned its way to Indianapolis and deserves every bit of the opportunity. Entering as the No. 42 seed in the 48-team field, they will begin play in Pool 8 and look to play spoiler. Their seventh-place finish at Show Me, behind teams that had already qualified, positioned them for this chance. One of my colleagues recently featured the team, and there is plenty to like. [player_tooltip player_id='961760' first='Maya' last='Davis'] has made a name for herself as an active, impactful middle, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='785182' first='Avery' last='Finney'] does an excellent job running the offense for Coach Matt Girourd's squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->