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March 29, 2024

PNQ 15-17s: Preview and Predictions

March 29, 2024

Up next on the second of three weekends for the Pacific Northwest Qualifier is the 15-17s division. The Open fields are smaller than most qualifiers and that will create at-larges in those divisions. Below, we take a look at the competition, including nationally-ranked teams, players to know and predictions. 17 OPEN Number of Teams: 22 Number of Bids: 2 Previously-Qualified Teams: n/a Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (6): 19. Madfrog 17 Green TX 31. Co Jrs 17 Kevin CO 32. NorCal 17-1 Black CA 38. Mizuno Long Beach 17 Rockstar CA 40. AJV 17 Adidas TX 43. Seal Beach 17 Black CA   5-Star Players to Know: Layli Ostovar OH Mizuno Long Beach 17 Rockstar (2026)   4-Star Players to Know: Anna Blamires RS Co Jrs 17 Kevin (BYU) Erika Sayer MB Co Jrs 17 Kevin Charlotte Kelly MB NorCal 17-1 Black (Cal Poly SLO)   Outlook: That there are only two bids available and there are no qualified teams in the field makes for a challenging time. In that scenario clubs must reach the final in order to qualify. The flip side though is there is only one team from our Top 20 participating, so it’s going to open the door for others to earn a bid. While Madfrog is the highest-ranked team, is has shown up-and-down results and will need a consistent effort to get the job done in Spokane. Co Jrs, NorCal, Long Beach, AJV and even Seal Beach are looking to pounce. But at a weekend like this we could see an unranked team surprise. Prediction: I’m picking NorCal and Madfrog to make the final, with NorCal emerging victorious. ***** 16 OPEN Number of Teams: 20 Number of Bids: 2 Previously-Qualified Teams: n/a Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (6): 21. Forza1 North 16 One CA 33. Vision 16 Gold CA 35. Co Jrs 16 Kaleena CO 37. Academy 16 National CA 39. Mizuno Long Beach 16 Rockstar CA 40. Coast 16-1 CA   4-Star Players to Know: Elle Vandeweghe MB Mizuno Long Beach 16 Rockstar Makenna Crosson OH Vision 16 Gold Westley Matavao OH Forza1 North 16 One   Outlook: It’s the same situation in 16 Open as in 17 Open. With two bids and no teams having qualified yet, clubs have to make the final. No one is ranked in our Top 20, but the ranked teams are all evenly-matched and that’s going to create back-and-forth results over the course of the three days. It’s just about which teams win at the right time. Prediction: I’m going with Forza1 North topping Academy National in the final as both secure bids. ***** 15 OPEN Number of Teams: 12 Number of Bids: 1 Previously-Qualified Teams: n/a Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (5): 14. Mizuno Long Beach 15 Rockstar CA 18. Forza1 North 15 One CA 19. Vision 15 Gold CA 35. Absolute 15 Black CA 38. City 15 Gold CA   4-Star Players to Know: Ryah Brock OH Forza1 North 15 One Hanna McGinest OH Mizuno Long Beach 15 Rockstar Cedra Talaga L/DS Mizuno Long Beach 15 Rockstar Piper Chylinski S/RS City 15 Gold   Outlook: The 15 Open field is tiny, with just 12 teams. That means only one bid is up for grabs. The only way to get is to finish on top of the four-team gold pool that takes place on Day 3. All the ranked teams competing are from California. One should leave happy unless there is a big-time surprise and an unranked team breaks through. Prediction: In the end, I think Long Beach finds a way to take first place and with it the only bid.

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SCVA Red Rock Rave Preview and Predictions

March 29, 2024

The second installment of the SCVA Red Rock Rave is set for Saturday-Monday at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The upcoming weekend features the older age groups. Below, we take a look at the 15-18 Open divisions, including nationally-ranked teams, players to know as well as offer our predictions on the event. 18 OPEN Number of Teams: 27 Number of Bids: 3 Previously-Qualified Teams (8): A5 18 Marc; AZ Rev 18 Premier; Club V 18 Ren Reed; Coast 18 Ozhan; Hou Skyline 18 Royal; Madfrog 18 Green; SCVC 18 Roxy; TAV 18 Black Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (11): 1. TAV 18 Black TX 3. Coast 18-1 Ozhan CA 7. Club V 18 Ren Reed UT 8. Madfrog 18 Green TX 12. Hou Skyline 18 Royal TX 15. SCVC 18 Roxy CA 18. A5 18 Marc GA 29. AZ Rev 18 Premier AZ 38. AZ Sky 18G AZ 39. VCNebraska 18 Elite 42. Tstreet 18 Chandler CA   5-Star Players to Know: Favor Anyanwu MB TAV 18 Black (USC) Jadyn Livings RS TAV 18 Black (USC) Camille Edwards S TAV 18 Black (Michigan) Jaela Auguste MB Hou Skyline 18 Royal (Florida) Hannah Benjamin OH A5 18 Marc (Kentucky) Jaidyn Jager OH Coast 18-1 (2025, Indiana) Taylor Harvey Club V 18 Ren Reed (2025, Texas) Taylor Deckert L/DS SCVC 18 Roxy (2025, USC) Kirra Musgrove S/RS Hou Skyline 18 Royal (2025, Texas AM) Samara Coleman OH Hou Skyline 18 Royal (2025, Pitt) Cari Spears OH TAV 18 Black (2025, Texas) Suli Davis OH TAV 18 Black (2025, BYU) Gillian Pitts L/DS TAV 18 Black (2025, Houston) Nafanua Alofipo S Club V 18 Ren Reed (2027)   4-Star Players to Know: Malyah Long S VCNebraska 18 Elite (Marquette) Paisley Douglas L/DS VCNebraska 18 Elite (USC) Reese Animashaun OH Hou Skyline 18 Royal (Vanderbilt) Lolo Lambert OH Madfrog 18 Green (Arkansas) Kennedy Washington MB Madfrog 18 Green (Kentucky) Lillian Croshaw MB Madfrog 18 Green (Illinois State) Elina Mortensen OH Club V 18 Ren Reed (BYU) Evan Hendrix OH AZ Rev 18 Premier (TCU) Mikala Young OH TAV 18 Black (TCU) Anna Boatner MB TAV 18 Black (UCSB)   Outlook: This is the last qualifier for the 18s and represents one final shot at qualifying for Open. With eight teams holding bids, there is no guarantee any bids go out though. Trickle down can’t extend past eighth place and so in the event all qualified teams finish in the top eight, no bids will go out. Given the strength of the teams in the field like TAV, Coast, Club V and Madfrog and more, there’s a strong chance that not all three bids go out. The three ranked teams without bids are AZ Sky, VCNebraska and Tstreet. It stands to reason if anyone is earning a bid this weekend it’s going to come from that trio. Two unranked teams to watch for would be Ku’Ikahi and Bonneville. Prediction: If things play out according to seed it would mean no bids going out. However, it’s very unlikely that’s going to happen as upsets on Days 1 and 2 will force teams with bids to knock each other out on Day 3. We are picking Coast to beat TAV in a rematch from Triple Crown. The feeling is both Tstreet and VCNebraska sneak into the Top 8 and earn bids, with the remaining bid going into the at-large pool. ***** 17 OPEN Number of Teams: 29 Number of Bids: 3 Previously-Qualified Teams (5): Coast 17-1 Rodrigo; Skyline 17 Royal; ID Crush 17 Bower; Surfside 17 Legends Loriann; AVA TX 17 Adidas Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (8): 4. Skyline 17 Royal TX 13. ID Crush 17 Bower ID 16. Surfside 17 Legends Loriann CA 21. Coast 17-1 Rodrigo CA 22. Wave 17 Juliana CA 24. Excel 17 National Red TX 44. AVA TX 17 Adidas TX 46. Tx Performance 17s Black TX   5-Star Players to Know: Kaci Demaria OH Surfside 17 Legends Zoe Gillen-Malveaux MB Skyline 17 Royal (Duke)   4-Star Players to Know: Tenesyn Frye S ID Crush 17 Bower (Houston) Quinn Loper OH Wave 17 Juliana (USC) Taylor Cook S Skyline 17 Royal (Kansas) Naya Salfiti RS Skyline 17 Royal Chichi Nnaji RS Skyline 17 Royal (Notre Dame) Isabella Ocampo OH Skyline 17 Royal (LMU) Sophia Thornburg OH Skyline 17 Royal (Notre Dame) Kennedi Rogers OH AVA TX 17 Adidas (SMU) Kalyssa Blackshear MB Surfside 17 Legends (Louisville) Bellamie Beus OH ID Crush 17 Bower (2026) Brooklyn Hardy MB ID Crush 17 Bower (2026)   Outlook: The one thing that really stands out about 17 Open is what a great opportunity it’s going to provide for teams without bids. The top-ranked teams in the field in Skyline, ID Crush, Surfside and Coast are all qualified. AVA TX is also qualified. All three bids are assured to be awarded and there’s a good chance trickle-down plays a role in that. For clubs like Wave, Excel and Tx Performance – the three remaining ranked teams without bids – this is the weekend to get it done. It’s also a great opportunity for an unranked team to find its way into qualifying. A4, Tulsa Power, ARVC, TAV Houston and Ku’Ikahi all fit that description. Prediction: Skyline is the team to beat, but does that mean the club is finishing on top? I don’t think so and instead am going a different route and picking ID Crush to beat Wave in the final. Coast and Skyline tie for third, with Excel and A4 joining Wave in earning bids. ***** 16 OPEN Number of Teams: 26 Number of Bids: 3 Previously-Qualified Teams: n/a Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (5): 6. SCVC 16 Roxy CA 10. Hou Skyline 16 Royal TX 12. Wave 16 Scott CA 16. Club V 16 Ren Matt UT 19. AZ Sky 16G AZ   5-Star Players to Know: Halle Thompson OH Hou Skyline 16 Royal Nadi’ya Shelby RS Hou Skyline 16 Royal Finley Krystkowiak OH Wave 16 Scott Audrey Flanagan OH SCVC 16 Roxy   4-Star

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Big South Preview and Predictions

March 29, 2024

The Big South Qualifier is part of a busy weekend that also features three more qualifiers taking place. Like Windy City, Big South is contested over the course of one weekend, with all age groups competing. We take a glance below and offer a brief outlook, nationally-ranked teams, players to know plus make our predictions. 17 OPEN Number of Teams: 40 Number of Bids: 3 Previously-Qualified Teams (2): OT 17 Aaron; AZ Sky 17 Gold Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (7): 9. OT 17 T Aaron FL 20. A5 17-1 Calvin GA 23. AZ Sky 17 Gold AZ 29. CUVC 17 Open NC 33. Triangle 17 Black NC 35. GP 17 Rox FL 39. OT 17 O Felix FL   5-Star Players to Know: Amina N’diaye OH OT 17 Felix (Miami)   4-Star Players to Know: Gabby Nichols MB Triangle 17 Black (Penn State) Elena Maynulet OH GP 17 Rox (Columbia) KK Green S/RS GP 17 Rox (Holy Cross) Francesca Popescu L/DS A5 17-1 Calvin (Cal) Abigail Li A5 17-1 Calvin (SMU) Izzy Mogridge S OT 17 Aaron (Oregon) Riley McCloskey RS NKYVC 17-1 Tsunami (Memphis) Ava Tilden OH NKYVC 17-1 Tsunami (Xavier) Leni Stanton-Parker OH Metro 17 Travel (Michigan) Natalie Carr OH Pitt Elite 17 Elite (2026)   Outlook: With four qualifiers taking place this coming weekend in 17 Open, the teams are spread around and that makes for a great chance for teams without a bid yet. OT Aaron and AZ Sky are safe, having already qualified. Looking at the rest of the ranked teams, this is the time to step up and make it happen by earning a bid. Three bids will be going out, so teams like A5, CUVC, Triangle, GP and OT Felix figure to be in the mix. The question is can any unranked teams breakthrough? This is definitely the weekend to surprise. Prediction: OT Aaron has been playing well, tying for fifth at Sunshine and winning MEQ. We are calling for OT Aaron to go back-to-back and win Big South, beating CUVC in the final. A5 and GP tie for third and earn the remaining bids. ***** 16 OPEN Number of Teams: 48 Number of Bids: 3 Previously-Qualified Teams (2): GP 16 Rox; A5 16-1 Gabe Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (10): 7. A5 16-1 Gabe GA 14. NKYVC 16-1 Tsunami KY 17. Elevation 16 Goller OH 20. GP 16 Rox FL 25. Metro 16 Travel DC 26. WPVC 16 Armour Black FL 27. Academy 16 Diamond NC 36. TAV Houston 16 Adidas TX 39. EC Power KOP 16 Empire PA 47. Jupiter Elite 16E FL   5-Star Players to Know: Nadiya Johnson RS Metro 16 Travel Genevieve Harris S Academy 16 Diamond   4-Star Players to Know: Kendall Northern MB Elevation 16 Goller Sydney Geselbracht MB Elevation 16 Goller Sidney Sprada OH Elevation 16 Goller Ella Grimes L/DS Elevation 16 Goller Audrey Dyas MB NKYVC 16-1 Tsunami Morgan Williams OH Metro 16 Travel Ryan Sadler OH A5 16-1 Gabe Sofia Guerrero-Wilson A5 16-1 Gabe Kalyssa Taggart S A5 16-1 Gabe Leilani Lawrence OH OT 16 JP Elle Mottola S WPVC 16 Armour Black   Outlook: That only two teams are qualified and the field is maxed-out at 48, getting the job done this weekend in 16 Open is no small task. GP and A5 are the two teams who don’t need to sweat it, but the rest is up against it. The thing about the other ranked teams, they have been somewhat up-and-down this weekend and that makes for plenty of unpredictability. Any of them can get hot at the right time and pull through. NKYVC and Elevation might be slightly ahead of the pack, but there is no guarantees either will qualify. Metro is getting better after playing at Sunshine and MEQ. WPVC and Academy Diamond are both capable of earning bids as well. Prediction: A5 showed well at Sunshine then qualified at MEQ. This is the weekend A5 wins a qualifier, beating Elevation in the final. NKYVC and TAV Houston tie for third and qualify as well. ***** 15 OPEN Number of Teams: 38 Number of Bids: 3 Previously-Qualified Teams (1): A5 15-1 Kelly Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (6): 4. OT 15 Randy FL 6. A5 15-1 Kelly GA 16. Excel 15 National Red TX 43. GP 15 Rox FL 44. Elevation 15 Tony OH 48. AZ Sky 15G AZ   5-Star Players to Know: Marissa Jones S A5 15-1 Kelly   4-Star Players to Know: Kailey Leonard L/DS A5 15-1 Kelly Kylee Evans MB A5 15-1 Kelly Natalie Norton OH Excel 15 National Red Kamryn Mullican S/RS Excel 15 National Red Hailey Mueller OH Triangle 15 Black Sophie Puleo OH OT 15 Randy Mia Diouf RS GP 15 Rox Morgan Meiring OH Elevation 15 Tony   Outlook: The 15 Open race is wide open. A5 is the only team, surprisingly, with a bid. That means trickle-down can’t extend past fourth place. OT Randy is a top contender and a team to watch out for the most in terms of qualifying. Excel is another one to follow. After that, there is a big gap in the rankings but that only means it’s a great opportunity for another team or two to pull through. There’s always the chance of an unranked team getting a bid too. It’s really anyone’s game the way this division is set up. Prediction: I’m going with OT Randy holding seed and winning it all. Excel finishes runner-up, while A5 and Elevation tie for third. AZ Sky beats out Academy Diamond for the final bid. ***** 14 OPEN Number of Teams: 24 Number of Bids: 3 Previously-Qualified Teams: n/a Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (6): 3. A5 14-1 Helen GA 5. OT 14 Laura FL 12. Elevation 14 Molly OH 13. AZ Sky 14G AZ 30. CJV 14 Mizuno NC 44. ARVC 14-1 Adidas NM   5-Star Players to Know: Leilani Lamar OH OT 14 Laura   4-Star Players to Know: Jamie Carnes MB CJV 14 Mizuno Molly Monday S/RS OT 14 Laura

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PNQ 15-17s: Preview and Predictions

March 29, 2024

Up next on the second of three weekends for the Pacific Northwest Qualifier is the 15-17s division. The Open fields are smaller than most qualifiers and that will create at-larges in those divisions. Below, we take a look at the competition, including nationally-ranked teams, players to know and predictions. 17 OPEN Number of Teams: 22 Number of Bids: 2 Previously-Qualified Teams: n/a Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (6): 19. Madfrog 17 Green TX 31. Co Jrs 17 Kevin CO 32. NorCal 17-1 Black CA 38. Mizuno Long Beach 17 Rockstar CA 40. AJV 17 Adidas TX 43. Seal Beach 17 Black CA   5-Star Players to Know: Layli Ostovar OH Mizuno Long Beach 17 Rockstar (2026)   4-Star Players to Know: Anna Blamires RS Co Jrs 17 Kevin (BYU) Erika Sayer MB Co Jrs 17 Kevin Charlotte Kelly MB NorCal 17-1 Black (Cal Poly SLO)   Outlook: That there are only two bids available and there are no qualified teams in the field makes for a challenging time. In that scenario clubs must reach the final in order to qualify. The flip side though is there is only one team from our Top 20 participating, so it’s going to open the door for others to earn a bid. While Madfrog is the highest-ranked team, is has shown up-and-down results and will need a consistent effort to get the job done in Spokane. Co Jrs, NorCal, Long Beach, AJV and even Seal Beach are looking to pounce. But at a weekend like this we could see an unranked team surprise. Prediction: I’m picking NorCal and Madfrog to make the final, with NorCal emerging victorious. ***** 16 OPEN Number of Teams: 20 Number of Bids: 2 Previously-Qualified Teams: n/a Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (6): 21. Forza1 North 16 One CA 33. Vision 16 Gold CA 35. Co Jrs 16 Kaleena CO 37. Academy 16 National CA 39. Mizuno Long Beach 16 Rockstar CA 40. Coast 16-1 CA   4-Star Players to Know: Elle Vandeweghe MB Mizuno Long Beach 16 Rockstar Makenna Crosson OH Vision 16 Gold Westley Matavao OH Forza1 North 16 One   Outlook: It’s the same situation in 16 Open as in 17 Open. With two bids and no teams having qualified yet, clubs have to make the final. No one is ranked in our Top 20, but the ranked teams are all evenly-matched and that’s going to create back-and-forth results over the course of the three days. It’s just about which teams win at the right time. Prediction: I’m going with Forza1 North topping Academy National in the final as both secure bids. ***** 15 OPEN Number of Teams: 12 Number of Bids: 1 Previously-Qualified Teams: n/a Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (5): 14. Mizuno Long Beach 15 Rockstar CA 18. Forza1 North 15 One CA 19. Vision 15 Gold CA 35. Absolute 15 Black CA 38. City 15 Gold CA   4-Star Players to Know: Ryah Brock OH Forza1 North 15 One Hanna McGinest OH Mizuno Long Beach 15 Rockstar Cedra Talaga L/DS Mizuno Long Beach 15 Rockstar Piper Chylinski S/RS City 15 Gold   Outlook: The 15 Open field is tiny, with just 12 teams. That means only one bid is up for grabs. The only way to get is to finish on top of the four-team gold pool that takes place on Day 3. All the ranked teams competing are from California. One should leave happy unless there is a big-time surprise and an unranked team breaks through. Prediction: In the end, I think Long Beach finds a way to take first place and with it the only bid.

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SCVA Red Rock Rave Preview and Predictions

March 29, 2024

The second installment of the SCVA Red Rock Rave is set for Saturday-Monday at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The upcoming weekend features the older age groups. Below, we take a look at the 15-18 Open divisions, including nationally-ranked teams, players to know as well as offer our predictions on the event. 18 OPEN Number of Teams: 27 Number of Bids: 3 Previously-Qualified Teams (8): A5 18 Marc; AZ Rev 18 Premier; Club V 18 Ren Reed; Coast 18 Ozhan; Hou Skyline 18 Royal; Madfrog 18 Green; SCVC 18 Roxy; TAV 18 Black Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (11): 1. TAV 18 Black TX 3. Coast 18-1 Ozhan CA 7. Club V 18 Ren Reed UT 8. Madfrog 18 Green TX 12. Hou Skyline 18 Royal TX 15. SCVC 18 Roxy CA 18. A5 18 Marc GA 29. AZ Rev 18 Premier AZ 38. AZ Sky 18G AZ 39. VCNebraska 18 Elite 42. Tstreet 18 Chandler CA   5-Star Players to Know: Favor Anyanwu MB TAV 18 Black (USC) Jadyn Livings RS TAV 18 Black (USC) Camille Edwards S TAV 18 Black (Michigan) Jaela Auguste MB Hou Skyline 18 Royal (Florida) Hannah Benjamin OH A5 18 Marc (Kentucky) Jaidyn Jager OH Coast 18-1 (2025, Indiana) Taylor Harvey Club V 18 Ren Reed (2025, Texas) Taylor Deckert L/DS SCVC 18 Roxy (2025, USC) Kirra Musgrove S/RS Hou Skyline 18 Royal (2025, Texas AM) Samara Coleman OH Hou Skyline 18 Royal (2025, Pitt) Cari Spears OH TAV 18 Black (2025, Texas) Suli Davis OH TAV 18 Black (2025, BYU) Gillian Pitts L/DS TAV 18 Black (2025, Houston) Nafanua Alofipo S Club V 18 Ren Reed (2027)   4-Star Players to Know: Malyah Long S VCNebraska 18 Elite (Marquette) Paisley Douglas L/DS VCNebraska 18 Elite (USC) Reese Animashaun OH Hou Skyline 18 Royal (Vanderbilt) Lolo Lambert OH Madfrog 18 Green (Arkansas) Kennedy Washington MB Madfrog 18 Green (Kentucky) Lillian Croshaw MB Madfrog 18 Green (Illinois State) Elina Mortensen OH Club V 18 Ren Reed (BYU) Evan Hendrix OH AZ Rev 18 Premier (TCU) Mikala Young OH TAV 18 Black (TCU) Anna Boatner MB TAV 18 Black (UCSB)   Outlook: This is the last qualifier for the 18s and represents one final shot at qualifying for Open. With eight teams holding bids, there is no guarantee any bids go out though. Trickle down can’t extend past eighth place and so in the event all qualified teams finish in the top eight, no bids will go out. Given the strength of the teams in the field like TAV, Coast, Club V and Madfrog and more, there’s a strong chance that not all three bids go out. The three ranked teams without bids are AZ Sky, VCNebraska and Tstreet. It stands to reason if anyone is earning a bid this weekend it’s going to come from that trio. Two unranked teams to watch for would be Ku’Ikahi and Bonneville. Prediction: If things play out according to seed it would mean no bids going out. However, it’s very unlikely that’s going to happen as upsets on Days 1 and 2 will force teams with bids to knock each other out on Day 3. We are picking Coast to beat TAV in a rematch from Triple Crown. The feeling is both Tstreet and VCNebraska sneak into the Top 8 and earn bids, with the remaining bid going into the at-large pool. ***** 17 OPEN Number of Teams: 29 Number of Bids: 3 Previously-Qualified Teams (5): Coast 17-1 Rodrigo; Skyline 17 Royal; ID Crush 17 Bower; Surfside 17 Legends Loriann; AVA TX 17 Adidas Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (8): 4. Skyline 17 Royal TX 13. ID Crush 17 Bower ID 16. Surfside 17 Legends Loriann CA 21. Coast 17-1 Rodrigo CA 22. Wave 17 Juliana CA 24. Excel 17 National Red TX 44. AVA TX 17 Adidas TX 46. Tx Performance 17s Black TX   5-Star Players to Know: Kaci Demaria OH Surfside 17 Legends Zoe Gillen-Malveaux MB Skyline 17 Royal (Duke)   4-Star Players to Know: Tenesyn Frye S ID Crush 17 Bower (Houston) Quinn Loper OH Wave 17 Juliana (USC) Taylor Cook S Skyline 17 Royal (Kansas) Naya Salfiti RS Skyline 17 Royal Chichi Nnaji RS Skyline 17 Royal (Notre Dame) Isabella Ocampo OH Skyline 17 Royal (LMU) Sophia Thornburg OH Skyline 17 Royal (Notre Dame) Kennedi Rogers OH AVA TX 17 Adidas (SMU) Kalyssa Blackshear MB Surfside 17 Legends (Louisville) Bellamie Beus OH ID Crush 17 Bower (2026) Brooklyn Hardy MB ID Crush 17 Bower (2026)   Outlook: The one thing that really stands out about 17 Open is what a great opportunity it’s going to provide for teams without bids. The top-ranked teams in the field in Skyline, ID Crush, Surfside and Coast are all qualified. AVA TX is also qualified. All three bids are assured to be awarded and there’s a good chance trickle-down plays a role in that. For clubs like Wave, Excel and Tx Performance – the three remaining ranked teams without bids – this is the weekend to get it done. It’s also a great opportunity for an unranked team to find its way into qualifying. A4, Tulsa Power, ARVC, TAV Houston and Ku’Ikahi all fit that description. Prediction: Skyline is the team to beat, but does that mean the club is finishing on top? I don’t think so and instead am going a different route and picking ID Crush to beat Wave in the final. Coast and Skyline tie for third, with Excel and A4 joining Wave in earning bids. ***** 16 OPEN Number of Teams: 26 Number of Bids: 3 Previously-Qualified Teams: n/a Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (5): 6. SCVC 16 Roxy CA 10. Hou Skyline 16 Royal TX 12. Wave 16 Scott CA 16. Club V 16 Ren Matt UT 19. AZ Sky 16G AZ   5-Star Players to Know: Halle Thompson OH Hou Skyline 16 Royal Nadi’ya Shelby RS Hou Skyline 16 Royal Finley Krystkowiak OH Wave 16 Scott Audrey Flanagan OH SCVC 16 Roxy   4-Star

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Big South Preview and Predictions

March 29, 2024

The Big South Qualifier is part of a busy weekend that also features three more qualifiers taking place. Like Windy City, Big South is contested over the course of one weekend, with all age groups competing. We take a glance below and offer a brief outlook, nationally-ranked teams, players to know plus make our predictions. 17 OPEN Number of Teams: 40 Number of Bids: 3 Previously-Qualified Teams (2): OT 17 Aaron; AZ Sky 17 Gold Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (7): 9. OT 17 T Aaron FL 20. A5 17-1 Calvin GA 23. AZ Sky 17 Gold AZ 29. CUVC 17 Open NC 33. Triangle 17 Black NC 35. GP 17 Rox FL 39. OT 17 O Felix FL   5-Star Players to Know: Amina N’diaye OH OT 17 Felix (Miami)   4-Star Players to Know: Gabby Nichols MB Triangle 17 Black (Penn State) Elena Maynulet OH GP 17 Rox (Columbia) KK Green S/RS GP 17 Rox (Holy Cross) Francesca Popescu L/DS A5 17-1 Calvin (Cal) Abigail Li A5 17-1 Calvin (SMU) Izzy Mogridge S OT 17 Aaron (Oregon) Riley McCloskey RS NKYVC 17-1 Tsunami (Memphis) Ava Tilden OH NKYVC 17-1 Tsunami (Xavier) Leni Stanton-Parker OH Metro 17 Travel (Michigan) Natalie Carr OH Pitt Elite 17 Elite (2026)   Outlook: With four qualifiers taking place this coming weekend in 17 Open, the teams are spread around and that makes for a great chance for teams without a bid yet. OT Aaron and AZ Sky are safe, having already qualified. Looking at the rest of the ranked teams, this is the time to step up and make it happen by earning a bid. Three bids will be going out, so teams like A5, CUVC, Triangle, GP and OT Felix figure to be in the mix. The question is can any unranked teams breakthrough? This is definitely the weekend to surprise. Prediction: OT Aaron has been playing well, tying for fifth at Sunshine and winning MEQ. We are calling for OT Aaron to go back-to-back and win Big South, beating CUVC in the final. A5 and GP tie for third and earn the remaining bids. ***** 16 OPEN Number of Teams: 48 Number of Bids: 3 Previously-Qualified Teams (2): GP 16 Rox; A5 16-1 Gabe Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (10): 7. A5 16-1 Gabe GA 14. NKYVC 16-1 Tsunami KY 17. Elevation 16 Goller OH 20. GP 16 Rox FL 25. Metro 16 Travel DC 26. WPVC 16 Armour Black FL 27. Academy 16 Diamond NC 36. TAV Houston 16 Adidas TX 39. EC Power KOP 16 Empire PA 47. Jupiter Elite 16E FL   5-Star Players to Know: Nadiya Johnson RS Metro 16 Travel Genevieve Harris S Academy 16 Diamond   4-Star Players to Know: Kendall Northern MB Elevation 16 Goller Sydney Geselbracht MB Elevation 16 Goller Sidney Sprada OH Elevation 16 Goller Ella Grimes L/DS Elevation 16 Goller Audrey Dyas MB NKYVC 16-1 Tsunami Morgan Williams OH Metro 16 Travel Ryan Sadler OH A5 16-1 Gabe Sofia Guerrero-Wilson A5 16-1 Gabe Kalyssa Taggart S A5 16-1 Gabe Leilani Lawrence OH OT 16 JP Elle Mottola S WPVC 16 Armour Black   Outlook: That only two teams are qualified and the field is maxed-out at 48, getting the job done this weekend in 16 Open is no small task. GP and A5 are the two teams who don’t need to sweat it, but the rest is up against it. The thing about the other ranked teams, they have been somewhat up-and-down this weekend and that makes for plenty of unpredictability. Any of them can get hot at the right time and pull through. NKYVC and Elevation might be slightly ahead of the pack, but there is no guarantees either will qualify. Metro is getting better after playing at Sunshine and MEQ. WPVC and Academy Diamond are both capable of earning bids as well. Prediction: A5 showed well at Sunshine then qualified at MEQ. This is the weekend A5 wins a qualifier, beating Elevation in the final. NKYVC and TAV Houston tie for third and qualify as well. ***** 15 OPEN Number of Teams: 38 Number of Bids: 3 Previously-Qualified Teams (1): A5 15-1 Kelly Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (6): 4. OT 15 Randy FL 6. A5 15-1 Kelly GA 16. Excel 15 National Red TX 43. GP 15 Rox FL 44. Elevation 15 Tony OH 48. AZ Sky 15G AZ   5-Star Players to Know: Marissa Jones S A5 15-1 Kelly   4-Star Players to Know: Kailey Leonard L/DS A5 15-1 Kelly Kylee Evans MB A5 15-1 Kelly Natalie Norton OH Excel 15 National Red Kamryn Mullican S/RS Excel 15 National Red Hailey Mueller OH Triangle 15 Black Sophie Puleo OH OT 15 Randy Mia Diouf RS GP 15 Rox Morgan Meiring OH Elevation 15 Tony   Outlook: The 15 Open race is wide open. A5 is the only team, surprisingly, with a bid. That means trickle-down can’t extend past fourth place. OT Randy is a top contender and a team to watch out for the most in terms of qualifying. Excel is another one to follow. After that, there is a big gap in the rankings but that only means it’s a great opportunity for another team or two to pull through. There’s always the chance of an unranked team getting a bid too. It’s really anyone’s game the way this division is set up. Prediction: I’m going with OT Randy holding seed and winning it all. Excel finishes runner-up, while A5 and Elevation tie for third. AZ Sky beats out Academy Diamond for the final bid. ***** 14 OPEN Number of Teams: 24 Number of Bids: 3 Previously-Qualified Teams: n/a Vballrecruiter Nationally-Ranked Teams (6): 3. A5 14-1 Helen GA 5. OT 14 Laura FL 12. Elevation 14 Molly OH 13. AZ Sky 14G AZ 30. CJV 14 Mizuno NC 44. ARVC 14-1 Adidas NM   5-Star Players to Know: Leilani Lamar OH OT 14 Laura   4-Star Players to Know: Jamie Carnes MB CJV 14 Mizuno Molly Monday S/RS OT 14 Laura

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