Dark Horse USAV Nationals Contenders: 16 Open
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We’re less than a month out from USAV Nationals. Time to start prognosticating. It’s hard to know where to start with all these Nationals previews, but this might be a good way to kick things off. This feature series will…
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Continue ReadingWe’re less than a month out from USAV Nationals. Time to start prognosticating.
It’s hard to know where to start with all these Nationals previews, but this might be a good way to kick things off. This feature series will look at the “dark horse” teams — teams that aren’t necessary consensus favorites to win it all, but certainly have the talent and experience to surprise people and perhaps make a run at the top.
Got it? Good. Let’s get it rolling with 16 Open!
Triangle 16 Black
16 Black can surely make some noise in Indianapolis.
Some high-flying hitter talent has buoyed some impressive tournament showings for Triangle this year. Take your pick here. Kiarrah Horne and Asia Thigpen have been electric on the left side. Alayna Smith is finding her stride on the right. Meanwhile, Emily Bobbitt is a setter-opposite hybrid that you’ll want to see from this North Carolina group, and she’s been connecting well with Ashlyn Philpot in the middle.
This lineup impressed us in some early-season events, and they’ve kept up the momentum with top-five finishes at NEQ and Sunshine. 16 Black could do a few spots better at Nationals.
Triangle 16 Black certainly looks the part in power pools right now.
Asia Thigpen swinging away on the left pin. #TCVolleyballNIT pic.twitter.com/SD1ABysc16
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) February 19, 2022
Premier Nebraska 16 Gold
Why not Premier?
In most circumstances, it’s hard to consider Premier Nebraska a dark horse pick in any age division. This club has built quite a championship reputation.
However, it was never a sure bet that 16 Gold would be in this 16 Open Nationals conversation. This squad has endured injury adversity from the beginning of the season, and it took a while for the roster to find a stable footing in 2022.
Then NLQ happened. It was an incredible weekend that showed 16 Gold’s true potential. Mia Tvrdy Mia Tvrdy 6'0" | MB Papillion-La Vista | 2024 State #35 Nation NE was one of the most dominant players in the entire gym, while Aowyn Schrader Aowyn Schrader 6'1" | OH Ankeny | 2024 State #147 Nation IA took another step forward on the left pin. Reagan Hickey Reagan Hickey 5'8" | S Papillion-La Vista | 2024 State NE ’s consistent setting meshed well with Faith Frame Faith Frame 5'6" | DS/L Papillion-La Vista | 2024 State #167 Nation NE ’s lockdown defense from the libero spot. The result was a breakthrough podium finish and a spot in the 16 Open field.
16 Gold has the talent to compete with anyone. Let’s see if the team can catch fire again.
Colorado Juniors 16-Sherri
You could argue that this Colorado Juniors team is not a dark horse. If anything, this is my chance to 16-Sherri the hype it deserves.
It’s a team that first caught my eye at Triple Crown NIT in February. Colorado Juniors has stacked up one of the tallest, most physical 16s squads in the country with multiple must-see athletes anchoring the frontcourt. Izzy Starck is a do-it-all setter-opposite that glues the team together. On the other pin, Addie Kanouff and Paityn Chapman are collectively one of the most intimidating outside duos in 16 Open.
16-Sherri’s dark horse status may have slightly wavered after winning a division title at SLC. Even still, you’ll want to keep tabs on this hard-hitting bunch.
No shortage of length and physicality for Colorado Juniors 16-Sherri.
Izzy Starck can do it all as a setter/opposite. pic.twitter.com/hzRE9jtI0u
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) February 19, 2022
Mizuno Long Beach 16 Rockstar T
Most Nationals previews wouldn’t be complete without heading out to California.
16 Rockstar T has assembled an impressive track record of tournament finishes in 2022. Its resume includes a 16 Open championship at Pacific NW and second place at Red Rock.
Not only do we have a good sample of results, but Mizuno Long Beach can claim some of the 2024 talents on the West Coast. Babi Gubbins Babi Gubbins 6'3" | OH Mater Dei | 2024 State #18 Nation CA is one of the most physically imposing left sides we’ve seen this year. Speaking of physicality, Charlie Fuerbringer Charlie Fuerbringer 5'11" | S Mira Costa | 2024 State #2 Nation CA is a setter who can certainly hold her own in the frontcourt. And, to give some credit to those who hold the line on defense, Summer Suppik and Kaia Herweg have formed quite a tandem on the end line.
Madfrog 16’s N Green
Let’s get Madfrog in the mix.
The depth of Texas prep volleyball just keeps growing, and Madfrog will be a club to watch across several different divisions. In 16 Open, 16’s N Green enters the Nationals field after a top-three finish at Pacific NW.
It’s pin talent aplenty for this group. Big surprise, right? Brianna Watson Brianna Watson 6'1" | OH Flower Mound | 2024 State #53 Nation TX has been one of my favorite 2024s to watch this season, and Lainee Pyles Lainee Pyles 6'3" | MB Fossil Ridge | 2024 State #47 Nation TX will also produce highlight moments on the left side. Of course, we can’t overlook the big role that Avery Baughman Avery Baughman 5'5" | DS/L Plano | 2024 State TX has taken on in the back row. Her defensive prowess has been on full display in the libero jersey.
Brianna Watson Brianna Watson 6'1" | OH Flower Mound | 2024 State #53 Nation TX has made such a huge impact for @MADFROGVBALL this weekend.
Big-time 2024 outside hitter. #TCVolleyballNIT pic.twitter.com/lNKeuAKGLz
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) February 20, 2022
Flyers 16 APX-Dylan
Why not stay in Texas for the feature finale?
Flyers may be in my dark horse feature, but it’s now impossible to ignore this bunch from the Lone Star State. A podium placement at Sunshine punched their ticket to Indianapolis this summer, and I’ll be watching this roster closely.
Paloma Gonzalez Paloma Gonzalez 6'0" | MB Bishop Lynch | 2024 State TX has shown an impressive ability to flex between middle blocker and opposite, while Ava Steffe Ava Steffe 6'1" | RS Memorial | 2025 State TX has done a lot of the same as an eye-popping 2025. Also, don’t lose sight of Emilee Prochaska Emilee Prochaska 5'4" | DS/L Lone Star | 2024 TX ’s contributions in the libero jersey.
In the wide field of Texas teams coming to Nationals, someone is going to emerge and surprise us all. It could be Flyers.