The atmosphere on the third and final day of the Northwest ISD Classic was absolutely electrifying, sending waves of excitement through the crowd from the very beginning. The first match of the gold bracket saw Grand Oaks deliver a stunning victory over Byron Nelson after an intense battle that stretched to three games. While Grand Oaks emerged as the ultimate victors, it must be acknowledged that Byron Nelson displayed moments of brilliance and played with incredible skill throughout the match.
In another thrilling showdown, Wakeland showed its strength and prowess by defeating Argyle in a swift two games, earning itself a spot in the finals. Grand Oaks, powered by a roster of extraordinary athletes, demonstrated its mettle on the court throughout the weekend, setting the stage for a spectacular clash against Wakeland in the much-anticipated final. Grand Oaks ended up capturing the tournament title in straight sets, 25-20, 25-13. That being said this was a great preseason tournament for all the squads as they head into the next month and eventually the postseason!
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Freshman Phenoms
Five talented freshmen players from North Texas made a significant impact during the tournament. Mariah Akinsola from Frisco Reedy dominated as a middle blocker, delivering powerful swings and solid blocks. Sophee Peterson from Byron Nelson showcased her versatility by running a six-two system from the back row, effectively distributing the offense while playing exceptional defense. Kamryn Mullican, representing Hebron, impressed as a setter and right-side hitter, unleashing a strong attack. Gentry Barker from Lovejoy shined as a six-rotation outside hitter, bringing athleticism and strategic play to distribute the offense. And Lexi Martin from Eaton stood out as a dynamic attacker everywhere on the court.
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Gold Bracket Results
Grand Oaks d Byron Nelson 19-25, 25-16, 25-16 (semis)
Wakeland d Argyle 25-13, 27-25 (semis)
Byron Nelson d Argyle 25-17, 25-16 (3rd)
Grand Oaks d Wakeland 25-20, 25-13 (final)
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All-Tournament Team
MB Jaela Auguste– Grand Oaks
OH Halle Thompson – Grand Oaks
OH Samara Coleman – Grand Oaks
S Audrey Terry – Grand Oaks
S/RS Sarah Pfiffner – Frisco Wakeland
L Aubree Fernandez – Frisco Wakeland
MB Jessica Jones – Frisco Wakeland
OH Sydnee Peterson – Byron Nelson
OH Kylie Kleckner – Byron Nelson
OH Ashlyn Seay – Byron Nelson
MB Kat Holtman – Argyle
S/RS Jordyn Moore – Argyle
OH Ayden Ames – Prosper
S/RS Hannah Beauford – Prosper
S/RS Suli Davis – Colleyville Heritage
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Day 3 Show Stoppers
Jaela Auguste, SR MB, Grand Oaks- Auguste, a 5-star recruit committed to Florida, is a literal wall at the net. She moves laterally well and her wingspan helps shut down the opposition.
Halle Thompson, SO OH, Grand Oaks- Thompson, a 5-star athlete, is an explosive hitter who can fly. She has a quick jump and fast arm and is difficult to read.
Samara Coleman, JR OH, Grand Oaks- Coleman, a 5-star recruit committed to Pitt, is a six-rotation contributor. She’s such an explosive attacker with a monster arm and ability to score in so many ways and anywhere on the court.
Cali Reece, SO L, Grand Oaks- Reece was holding it down in the backrow in both serve receive and defensively. She helped set the pace on her first touches.
Sarah Pfiffner, JR S/RS, Wakeland- Pfiffner, a 4-star recruit, was effective in both roles as a setter and a hitter. She came in clutch offensively in the final points against Argyle in the semifinals.
Aubree Fernandez, SO L, Frisco Wakeland- Fernandez, a 3-star recruit, brings stability to the position for her team. She’s a steady passer with strong ball control skills.
Jessica Jones, SR MB, Wakeland- Jones, a 3-star recruit committed to LSU, is a six-rotation middle who was providing offense both in the front row and back row throughout the day.
Kealakai Bandy, SR OH, Wakeland- Bandy was a key contributor officially on the outside. She was playing smart and tooling the block consistently.
Katherine Holtman, SR MB, Argyle- Holtman, a 3-star recruit committed to SFA, is a strong presence in the middle, She’s a scoring threat and someone defenses have to track.
Jordyn Moore, JR S/RS, Argyle- Moore, a 3-star recruit, brings so much to the squad, from her skills to her competitive fire. She was setting on point and delivering reliable and consistent offense across the front.
Shaye Feely, SR OH, Argyle- Feely is a bit undersized on the outside but it doesn’t matter when she goes up for a kill. She takes aggressive swings and showed her ability to tool blocks, as well as pass and defend in the back row.
Ayden Ames, SR OH, Prosper- Ames, a 5-star recruit committed to Nebraska, is a six-rotation outside for her squad who defenses have to give a lot of attention to because she’s an equal scoring threat whether front or back row. And watch out for her on the slide attack.
Hannah Beauford, JR S/RS, Prosper- Beauford, a 4-star recruit, did a fine job directing the offense. And in the front row she was delivering impressive kills consistently.
Suli Davis, JR S/RS, Colleyville Heritage- Davis, a 5-star recruit, is a difficult cover no matter who is on the other side of the net. She’s an athletic attacker who gets up and swings with fire. She plays a dual role when in the back row and quarterbacks her squad well.
Maddie Bird, SR OH, Colleyville Heritage- Bird is a six-rotation glue piece. She has great ball skills in the back row and lots of smarts shots when it comes to scoring.
Sydnee Peterson, JR OH, Byron Nelson- Peterson, a 4-star recruit, is an athletic, wirey outside who gets off the ground quick. She has a fast swing and can generate real heat on her shots.
Kylie Kleckner, SO OH, Byron Nelson- Kleckner, a 4-star recruit, has great ball skills in the back row and lots of smarts when it comes to scoring.
Ashlyn Seay, SO OH, Byron Nelson- Seay, a 3-star recruit, has a great arm that can already generate heat and pressure opponents.
Shelby Burriss, JR MB, Lovejoy- Burriss, a 4-star recruit, is a two-way threat, who can get up and score on 1s, as well as deliver points with her blocking ability.
Gentry Barker, FR OH, Lovejoy- Barker, a 4-star recruit, might be a freshman but plays like a senior. She has alot of spring in her attacks and plays scrappy defense.
Mckenna Brand, SR L, Lovejoy- Brand, a 4-star recruit committed to UConn, is an energetic and upbeat libero who is fun to watch and take care of the back row duties. She is steady with her serve receive and does a good job digging.
Danielle Gutierrez, JR L, El Paso Coronado- Gutierrez is one of the key components to her squad’s scrappiness. She seems to be everywhere at once controlling the back row and causing attackers headaches.
Nadia Peña, S/RS, El Paso Coronado- Peña, a Texas A&M-Kingsville commit, is a double threat. From the back row she sets on point and in the front row this lefty can crack on the ball when she connects.
Alina Strickler, SR OH, El Paso Coronado- Strickler is an undersized six-rotation outside who plays lights out offensively and defensively.
Layla Austin, SO OH, SL Carroll- Austin, a 5-star recruit, is a powerful and physical hitter with a booming arm making her tough to keep in check.
Abbey Pace, SR L, SL Carroll- Pace did a great job owning the back row and picking off shots coming her way consistently.
Kiley Brooks, SO L, Northwest- Brooks is a defensive gem, bringing a steadying and calming presence to the back row. She’s a consistent passer who doesn’t miss her target often.
Levariya Pinder, SO OH, Northwest- Pinder, a 4-star recruit, is an explosive hitter. She has a quick jump and fast arm and is difficult to match up against.
Rylee Jackson, SR OH, Northwest- Jackson, a recent Incarnate Word commit, is trouble for defenses. She can bring a combo of power and heat and is capable of carrying the load at times.
Camille Middleton, JR OH, Boswell- Middleton can be difficult to handle. She gets up well, has a good swing and was providing consistent offense.
Emerson Chadwell, SR L, Boswell- Chadwell was defending and covering the court well. She was also making plays to keep rallies alive.
Kamryn Mullican, FR S/RS, Hebron- Mullican, a 3-star recruit, is a two-way contributor. She’s a terrific setter with a great touch and helps spread out the attack being a threat on the right side.
Kaylin Ginsburg, SR L, Hebron- Ginsburg is steady and consistent in everything she does. She passes and defends with a passion and doesn’t get rattled.
