Let’s Check Out More 16u Teams!
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We covered a handful of teams in the 16u division to know in 2021 across the HOA and Gateway Region. Many consider the 15’s season the first significant year in the recruitment cycle for volleyball players. However, with the rule…
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Continue ReadingWe covered a handful of teams in the 16u division to know in 2021 across the HOA and Gateway Region. Many consider the 15’s season the first significant year in the recruitment cycle for volleyball players. However, with the rule changes almost two years ago, this slowed down the process as coaches could no longer “recruit” these athletes. As evidenced by the Triple Crown NIT in Kansas City last year, the coaches were still keeping a pulse and building their 2023 databases. Then after the Triple Crown, it came to a crashing halt with the arrival of Covid-19. There are many teams across the state/state line looking to showcase their talent this season. As prefaced in our 17 and 18 previews, we use this opportunity to highlight teams in both the Gateway and Heart of America regions, even though you may see some teams based in Illinois and Kansas. There are a handful of teams in Kansas that have Missouri players…and teams in Missouri that have Illinois players. This is just some of the teams. As we always say, these teams we have a little more insight on. If coaches would like their teams previewed send to prepdigmo@gmail.com
Rockwood Thunder 16 Elite
This team has weapons and many players you will find in our updated rankings dropping tomorrow. They have Jordyn Lochmann Jordyn Lochmann 6'0" | OH Lafayette | 2023 State MO , Layne Witherspoon Layne Witherspoon 6'0" | MB Lafayette | 2023 State MO , and Mia Berg Mia Berg 6'1" | OH Eureka | 2023 State MO along the front line. These players can all score and affect the game defensively with their length and blocking ability. Juliette Myrick Juliette Myrick 5'11" | S Eureka | 2023 State #100 Nation MO is among the top setters in the state. She is aggressive and smart. Defensively, Ava Roth Ava Roth 5'6" | DS/L Jefferson R-7 | 2023 State MO and Madison Smith Madison Smith 5'7" | DS/L St. Joseph’s Academy | 2023 State MO are lights out. Both have tremendous platforms and passes the ball with great accuracy.
HPSTL 16 Royal
16 Royal looks to compete with Rockwood within the Gateway Region and hopes to make a splash nationally this spring. Addison Kersting Addison Kersting 5'11" | S St. Charles | 2023 State MO will be one of the setters looking to feed the ball to players like Brianna Wortman Brianna Wortman 5'10" | OH Francis Howell | 2023 State MO and Alexis Butler on the pins. Middle Kylie Stehlin Kylie Stehlin 6'2" | MB Rockwood | 2023 State MO is improved and joins Elise Paul Elise Paul 6'0" | MB Lutheran South | 2023 State MO to form a strong tandem. Defensively, Ella Gaona will play a factor along the back row.
Missouri Juniors 16-1
This team has players who have contributed to their varsity teams this fall and should be competitive this season. Shae Englebrecht, Anna Wekenborg, and Abbigail Wieberg will provide offensive firepower to this team. Emma Whitson had 352 assists this fall for California. Hannah Luetkemeyer and Kenzie Sorrels will fill the defensive roles and are both solid passers. They had a 3rd place showing to start the year in a Kansas City tournament won by Mavs 816.
417 Juniors 16-1
The 417 16-1 squad played well to start the season in a combined 18s tournament, finishing 3rd behind their 18s team and Ozark Jr.s 16-1. Libero Emma Conrad Emma Conrad 5'0" | DS/L Nixa | 2023 State MO is one of the premier defenders in the region and state for her class. Grace O’Reilly Grace O’Reilly 6'0" | RS Springfield Catholic | 2023 State MO will be a force on the pins after helping lead Springfield Catholic to a 30 win season. She had over 300 kills and 200 digs. Setter Lauren Tyler was able to earn some sets this fall for Logan-Rogersville and will build on that this club season. In the middle, Hillary Estes will look to factor in offensively and defensively.
Mizuno Club North 16-1
A runner-up and championship finish is what Club North has done to start their season. They finished second to Mavs 816 then defeated a field that included Dynasty Academy. They have a roster that includes players who contributed to their varsity teams this fall. Middle Samona Hunter is a player mentioned over the summer as being new to the “competitive” side of club ball last season but oozing with potential. She has continued to improve and brings a strong presence at the net. Another middle who played well this fall for Smithville is Mia De La Piedra. She had over 100 kills. OH Sydney Stanfield played in numerous sets for an experienced Park Hill squad. She is a capable scoring threat, who will benefit from having a middle who can score. Reganne Reed is a quality setter who demonstrates good decision-making in system.
Dynasty 16 Blue
Dynasty has a history of having strong “2” teams and this 16 Blue team won’t disappoint. They have two really good setters who took over their varsity squads this year in Staley’s Adalyn Horn and Brynne McGhie Brynne McGhie 5'10" | S St. Teresa's Academy | 2023 State MO from St Teresa’s. Middle Avery Ahlers played good for Blue Valley Northwest. OH Greta Treff had some moments for Olathe West and should carry that over into the club season. Defender Lilliana Saxe earned some spot sets for St. Teresa’s and looks primed to play a key role for this team.
Invasion 16-1
Invasion 16 Black looks to get their season off and running with HOA Power League on January 3rd. Middle Kori Franklin played in 52 sets for Notre Dame de Sion this fall and had 66 kills and 33 blocks. Kearney’s Alli Poage produced in her sophomore season and will be a force along the net in 2021. Allie Puetz brings winning experience, being part of a strong Aquinas program. Gabriella Ricci is a competitive pin on this roster who can score.
Blue Steel 16 Black
Many players from Blue Steel are eager to get on the court after not having a fall high school season due to Illinois being on lockdown. This team features players from Illinois but competes in the Gateway Region. The team has good length in the middle with 6’0″ Ashely Geluck (Belleville West) and 5’11″ Emma Taylor (Breese Central). They have many capable pins including Elise Gibson (Belleville West). Setter Alyssa Frederking (O’Fallon) played lights out at Music City last year with tremendous sets and will play a role again this season. In the back row, Annalie McWhorter (O’Fallon) and Vyla Hupp (Edwardsville) should bring energy and good defense to keep the team in system.