Breaking Down the 16 Open All-Tournament Team
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Among all the incredible talent we saw in 16 Open at GJNC, these players were deemed by many to be the best of the best. After the dust settled on 16 Open competition and the national championship had been awarded…
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Continue ReadingAmong all the incredible talent we saw in 16 Open at GJNC, these players were deemed by many to be the best of the best.
After the dust settled on 16 Open competition and the national championship had been awarded to MADFROG 16’s N Green, many of the division’s top players were called to the podium to accept all-tournament awards from USAV. I was lucky enough to follow 16 Open from beginning to end in Indy, and I’ve compiled a few thoughts and memories of my own from this group of honorees.
So, here’s a breakdown of the all-tournament selections from 16 Open.
The Ferocious Frontcourt
In the realm of attackers, the 16 Open all-tournament team has a little bit of everything.
What better player to start this discussion than the division’s most valuable player, Lainee Pyles Lainee Pyles 6'3" | MB Fossil Ridge | 2024 State #47 Nation TX of MADFROG. This athlete has the frame and physicality to play just about any frontcourt position, but her impact at GJNC was felt as a six-rotation left-side hitter. Pyles thrives within the 16’s N Green offense and can terminate on a variety of crossing patterns and combination plays. Her emergence in Indianapolis undoubtedly had a huge impact in lifting another Texas team to the top of the podium.
Also part of the MADFROG representation on the 16 Open all-tournament team is Avery Jackson Avery Jackson 5'10" | OH Hockaday | 2024 State #13 Nation TX , who firmly cemented her standing as one of the most well-rounded volleyball players in the 2024 class. Not only is Jackson incredibly difficult to stop as an outside attacker, but her unflappable passing anchored 16’s N Green’s serve receive since the season began in January. It’s no wonder why this elite talent has already made her pledge to play beach volleyball at Stanford.
GJNC 16 Open runner-up, A5 Mizuno 16-Gabe, adds another formidable frontcourt phenom to the fray. Middle blocker Logan Wiley Logan Wiley 6'2" | MB Alpharetta | 2024 #38 Nation GA was A5’s first, second, and third option when the offense was in system, and there’s a good reason for it. Her sky-high contact point yielded countless over-the-top attacks that negated even well-formed blocks. Wiley’s inclusion on the all-tournament team is a no-brainer.
We also get a good amount of offensive firepower from the division’s semifinalists. The Dynasty duo of outside hitter Carlie Cisneros Carlie Cisneros 6'0" | OH Liberty North | 2024 State #7 Nation MO and middle blocker Jada Ingram Jada Ingram 5'11" | MB Washburn Rural | 2024 State #61 Nation KS had a breakout showing that landed both on the all-tournament team. Cisneros has always been a key contributor for 16 Black regardless of rotation, while Ingram took another leap forward in Indy with her unstoppable quickness on gap plays and slides.
Speaking of prior championship matches, here’s the Triple Crown NIT 16s championship rematch between @dynastyvbc and @NKYVC.
Dynasty came in to #GJNC as the top overall seed. NKYVC hasn’t lost this weekend. Only one can advance. pic.twitter.com/pBcjlUuBdU
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) July 4, 2022
On the other side of the 16 Open bracket, Premier Nebraska 16 Gold got an all-tournament entry from outside hitter Lauren Medeck Lauren Medeck 5'10" | OH Papillion-La Vista South | 2024 State #31 Nation NE . What a comeback story. Long considered one of Nebraska’s top prospects in the 2024 class, Medeck was absent from the 16 Gold throughout the season while recovering from an injury. She returned just in time for the final event of the year and did not skip a beat in leading Premier Nebraska to the 16 Open podium. Incredible.
For my Nebraska folks:
Lauren Medeck Lauren Medeck 5'10" | OH Papillion-La Vista South | 2024 State #31 Nation NE is BACK 😤 @Premier16_G. #GJNC pic.twitter.com/zr8sdaCsYG
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) July 1, 2022
1st Alliance also brings some pin-hitting strength to the all-tournament team with Grace Nelson Grace Nelson 6'1" | OH Oak Park River Forest | 2024 State #37 Nation IL . This attacker stood out for her ability to read opposing blockers and hammer seams with authority. If quick arms are your thing, be sure to keep following Nelson’s progress in fall ball. I surely will.
How about another third set?
Grace Nelson Grace Nelson 6'1" | OH Oak Park River Forest | 2024 State #37 Nation IL crushes set point to send @1stAllianceVBC into a third with Sting! #GJNC pic.twitter.com/o258uOlZfl
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) July 3, 2022
Jayda Redd is the Top Select 16 Elite Blue representative of the all-tournament team. There were so many intriguing storylines to follow with this team, and Redd’s effortless elevation on the left pin is definitely something to keep in mind moving forward.
Finally, NKYVC’s Julia Hunt Julia Hunt 6'1" | MB Holy Cross (Covington) | 2024 State #11 Nation KY adds to her list of accolades with her selection to this talented group. Few who have followed 16-1 Tsunami this year will be surprised by the inclusion. Hunt’s dominance has been awesome to watch this year, and her team will find any way to get this middle blocker the ball in clutch spots.
Still perfect!@NKYVC 16-1 Tsunami sweeps through its Sunday pool and builds on an undefeated weekend.
Nice designed first-ball play to MB Julia Hunt Julia Hunt 6'1" | MB Holy Cross (Covington) | 2024 State #11 Nation KY on the left. #GJNC pic.twitter.com/hyj4hEqddq
— Austin Kingsley (@KingsleyATK) July 3, 2022
Setting the Standard
I’m pleased to say that the setter position was represented well in the all-tournament team.
MADFROG’s trio of honorees is complete with Carson Eickenloff Carson Eickenloff 5'7" | S Boyd | 2024 State #146 Nation TX , a setter who has left no doubt about her ability to lead 16’s N Green in all six rotations. Her distribution in Indy was phenomenal, and she flawless executes those combination plays we mentioned earlier. Eickenloff’s ascent will be fun to follow in the ultra-competitive environment we always expect in Texas.
Ellie White Ellie White 5'11" | OH Mother McAuley | 2024 State #34 Nation IL is another talented 5-1 setter who was given all-tournament honors. This is one of several setters in 16 Open who also has experience as a pin hitter, so you can be assured that White’s physicality at the net will never be a liability. 1st Alliance should expect to be back on this big stage next year.
Fittingly, we also have a nod to a 6-2 system on this team. A5 Mizuno’s Cooper Abney and Isa Boyd both received all-tournament recognition for their roles in leading 16-Gabe’s lethal two-setter offense. The seamless transitions between Abney and Boyd were pivotal in sparking a runner-up finish for this Georgia squad.
Backing Up the Backcourt
Don’t forget the liberos!
The 16 Open all-tournament team features a pair of backcourt specialists who had a flashy season finale at GJNC. Ella Vogel Ella Vogel 5'6" | DS/L Chaparral | 2024 #82 Nation CO held down the end line for Colorado Juniors 16-Sherri en route to the team’s appearance in the Gold bracket. Good passing was an important component in 16-Sherri’s success, and Vogel was always around to deliver it.
And, as a Nebraska native, it was exciting to see Faith Frame Faith Frame 5'6" | DS/L Papillion-La Vista | 2024 State #167 Nation NE ’s outstanding season culminate in an all-tournament selection. Her defensive instincts stand out among her peers, and that helped Premier Nebraska rally to an extraordinary run of successful events to end the 2022 season.