April 20, 2024

It didn’t matter the division. The main storyline of Day 2 at the Lone Star Classic was watching to see how the bid chases unfolded and are set up for the final day of competition. Let’s start with 17 Open. There are six teams with bids still alive in Hou Skyline 17 Royal, Skyline 17 Royal, Arizona Storm 17 Thunder, MKE Sting 17 Gold, Austin Skyline 17 Royal and 1st Alliance 17 Gold. The way the pools are shaped, we are guaranteed to see two bids awarded. And it’s likely we see all three go out. Hou Skyline and Skyline are in Pool 1 together with unqualified A5 17-1 Calvin. A5 would qualify by winning its pool, but figures to still be in a good position to earn a bid by taking second. No team can qualify out of the gold pools by taking third. Pool 2 features three qualified teams in Storm, MKE Sting and Austin Skyline. Because of that it doesn’t matter how that pool plays out. Pools 3 and 4 feature just one qualified team each. 1st Alliance is in Pool 3 with unqualified squads in Tribe 17 Elite Cardinal and Alamo 17 Premier. In Pool 4, no teams has its bid in TAV 17 Black,  HJV 17 Elite and Drive Nation 17 Red. Like A5, any of the unqualified teams in Pool 3 and 4 can win a bid outright by winning their pool. But they should be in good shape by taking second. The only way an unqualified team won’t earn a bid on Day 3 by taking second is if three teams without bids win their respective pools. It’s a longshot but not totally out of the realm of possibilities. In 16 Open, there are also seven teams with bids. They are Boiler Jrs 16 Gold, TAV 16 Black, Hou Skyline 16 Royal, Austin Skyline 16 Royal, Arizona Storm 16 Thunder, HJV 16 Elite and Madfrog 16 Green. It’s set up similarly to 17 Open. There is one pool with three qualified teams, one with two and two with one. Boiler Jrs and TAV are in Pool 1 along with TAV 16 Blue. Pool 2 features Hou Skyline with Skyline 16 Royal and STVA 16 Mizuno still chasing bids. Pool 3 is all qualified teams in Austin Skyline, Storm, HJV. Pool 4 features Madfrog with OP2 16-1 and Tribe 16 Elite Navy looking to qualify. Like 17 Open, an unqualified team winning its pool will earn a bid. Finishing second should be okay unless three teams without bids win their pools. It’s slightly different in 15 Open, where all eight qualified teams are still alive. They are Arizona Storm 15 Thunder, Excel 15 National Red, TAV 15 Black, Hou Skyline 15 Royal, TAV 15 Fifer, Skyline 15 Royal, PVA 15 Elite and Madfrog 15 Green. Pool 2 is the only pool with three qualified teams in TAV 15 Black, Hou Skyline and TAV 15 Fifer. Both Pools 1 and 3 feature two qualified teams. Pool 1 contains Storm and Excel with Forza1 15 One still looking to qualify. Pool 3 has Skyline and PVA with Madfrog 15 Black still hoping to earn a bid. Madfrog Green is the only qualified team in Pool 4, with Tstreet 15 Asics and OK Charge 15 UA still in the mix. Because of it, we are only guaranteed of one bid going out. Like 16 and 17 Open, the only way second place doesn’t earn a bid is if three unqualified teams win their pools. It’s all going to make for an entertaining conclusion. As I said in the preview before the weekend started, the bids at Lone Star can go out before play even begins on Day 3. But the way the format is set up this year, we don’t know any bid winners yet. All that is going to be decided on the final day. DAY 2 SHOW STOPPERS Ella Olson OH Tstreet 15 Asics: Olson – a 4-star recruit – has a whip for an arm and is just relentless on the attack. She unleashes in a flurry as she rips shots effortlessly. Brynn Stephens S/RS TAV 15 Black: A 5-star recruit, Stephens continues to showcase her versatility. Typically a setter/right side, Stephens has run a 5-1 this season at times and on Day 2 was lined up at outside hitter and passing out of serve receive. Peyton Kubik OH Dynasty 15 Black: Kubik – a 5-star outside – shoulders a load on offense. She’s a long attacker who can extend from high angles whether front or back row. Grace Pinegar OH Skyline 15 Royal: A 3-star recruit, Pinegar is another who brings length to the front row. She too can extend and swing from a high contact point and go over the block. Josalyn Samuels S Kairos 15 Alpha: Samuels – a 5-star recruit – is a smooth disher who moves the ball around with ease and precision. She has soft hands and knows how to get her hitters clean looks. Kendall Omoruyi MB Arizona Storm 15 Thunder: A 5-star recruit, Omoruyi is a force at times in the middle. She can impact both sides of the ball and provide scoring with both her blocking and swinging. Natalie Norton OH Excel 15 National Red: Norton – a 4-star recruit – is a powerhouse on offense. She has a big, strong arm and can pound winners time and time again. Molly Bokenkroger L/DS PVA 15 Elite: Bokenkroger is a scrappy libero who is fun to watch patrol the back row. She’s quick, covers plenty of ground and is a sharp passer. Gloria Peters S/RS 1United 15 Blue: Peters is a vital part of the lineup. She’s a solid setter with a consistent, clean release. She also swings well and provides a scoring option. Arayah Watson MB Hou Skyline 15 Royal: Watson was providing a big boost in the middle. She’s quick attacker who gets up in a hurry and can let it fly in