AAU Nationals Spotlight: VCNebraska 16 Black
AAU Nationals in Orlando is wrapping up, and the 16s division has provided us with quite a finale. In accordance with our trend of featuring some of Nebraska’s top performers, I figured today would be a good time to recap…
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Continue ReadingAAU Nationals in Orlando is wrapping up, and the 16s division has provided us with quite a finale.
In accordance with our trend of featuring some of Nebraska’s top performers, I figured today would be a good time to recap VCN 16 Black’s journey through AAUs. As one of the teams to make the coveted championship bracket on Tuesday, this VCN group made quite a bit of noise in 16 Club.
Here’s a rundown of 16 Black’s tournament run, including a look at the players who shined on the big stage.
Tournament Recap
16 Black’s AAU journey began with a busy opening day. After handling Llaneras in two sets to begin Saturday’s action, VCN then played two hard-fought three-set matches. 16 Black dropped a nailbiter against TVA but quickly responded to win a slugfest against Texas Tornados.
VCN went the distance against another team when they took the floor again Sunday evening. They traded blows with A5 Mizuno before emerging victorious with a 15-10 win in set three. The following matches were tamer as VCN dominated DSVC and Advancement Academy to move to 5-1 after two rounds of play.
The level of play continued to ramp up as 16 Black entered the third round of gold pools. VCN pulled out another gritty victory against Kairos Elite before falling in Monday’s second match against Minnesota Select. With everything on the line in the evening’s challenge match, 16 Black posted a convincing win over CPA Xtreme to clinch a spot in the gold bracket.
A rematch with A5 Mizuno was in store for 16 Black. Unfortunately, VCN fell just short in another three-set thriller. Regardless, it was a great showing for this 16 Black team that showed some great resiliency in the 16 Club division.
Key Players
Lanie Brott stands out right away. She’s got length, hops, and can absolutely hammer a ball on the left pin. Brott is not afraid to step up in serve receive and take a good chunk of the backcourt. Transitioning from pass to kill is tough to master, but this left-side hitter does it with fabulous rhythm.
I’ve seen Brynn Carey Brynn Carey 5'8" | DS/L Lincoln East | 2023 State NE take on a hitting role in high school competition, but she’s also a standout libero for 16 Black. She’s a backcourt player who can patrol either zone one or zone six with ease. Carey consistently generates positive touches that allow her offense to flourish.
Speaking of that offense, Chloe Fitzgibbon is another player who can bring some clutch swings from the pin. She’s comfortable hitting a lot of different angles, and that’s tough on opposing blockers. Fitzgibbon is a clear threat in VCN’s three-hitter rotations, and that threat was tough to stop throughout the tournament.
This small, tight-knit roster will keep finding its rhythm in the seasons to come. More success on the national stage awaits.