By Austin Kingsley
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – “Power pool parity.” That’s the alliterative phrase we’re using to describe the opening day of 17U competition at Triple Crown NIT. It’s especially true after watching MADFROG 17’s N Green secure a three-set win over Nebraska ONE 17 Synergy to conclude Saturday’s action. Let’s set this up. MADFROG entered the Saturday nightcap with an 0-2 record after narrow defeats to Mizuno Long Beach and VCNebraska. The North Texas squad remained competitive but failed to get over the hump in its four sets played to that point. Nebraska ONE 17 Synergy followed a different path. The Great Plains representative battled to a 2-0 mark after triumphs against Alamo and MAVS KC. We saw Synergy’s clutch factor in an 18-16 Set 3 win against MAVS. Heading into the final contest, Nebraska ONE was the only Power Pool D team with an unblemished record. MADFROG, meanwhile, was the lone team seeking its first win. That doesn’t sound like the recipe for a barnburner, but we can’t forget the true nature of power pools. These teams are hand-selected as the best of the best. 17’s N Green had a tough stretch but was not deterred by the setbacks. Power pools grant teams the luxury to reset and refocus, and that’s what MADFROG did to score a dramatic three-set win over Nebraska ONE. Let’s relive the chaos. Synergy Strikes Early Set 1 was Nebraska ONE’s time to back up its 2-0 start. An emphatic 25-14 win highlighted Synergy’s early display of dominance. The offense was paced by Anna Jelinek, a Long Beach State commit who plays all six rotations at outside hitter. Jelinek’s role as a primary passer is just as important as her attacking prowess, and she shouldered the bulk of Nebraska ONE’s first contacts in Saturday’s match. Ball control is a Synergy strength that stretches far beyond Jelinek’s contributions. Nebraska commit Keri Leimbach anchors the libero spot and is one of the most eye-popping defenders in the 17U age group. Her improbable digs and block coverages were a catalyst to Synergy’s wave of momentum in the first set. As first contacts were dialed in, Nebraska ONE’s offense followed. Abbie Hagedorn and Mattie Dalton terminated on the pins while Wisconsin commit Natalie Wardlow found her stride in the middle. A combination of team chemistry and offensive balance had Nebraska ONE on the cusp of a perfect Saturday. MADFROG Leaps Forward MADFROG managed to clear some lingering hurdles in the Day 1 finale, and it came against one of the hottest teams in 17U power pools. Set 2 was a clean slate after Nebraska ONE rolled in the first. That allowed 17’s N Green to claim an early advantage behind its own prolific scorers. MADFROG middle blocker Nenu Kpea started proceedings with a floor-denting kill. This drew the awe of the MADFROG cheering section, which was still determined to bring the energy late into the Kansas City night. Multi-dimensional attacker McKenzie Jones was another important leader for 17’s N Green. She did most of her work on the left side but brings a wealth of experience at other frontcourt positions. MADFROG could also go against the grain and get Ava Steffe involved at opposite. These setter-hitter connections flourished whether the offense was set by Jaleah Bauss or Sara Quigley in a 6-2 system. Most of the second set was characterized by brief scoring runs with neither team breaking away. That was until MADFROG asserted itself from the service line and put pressure on the vaunted Nebraska ONE backcourt. The tide of momentum shifted entirely as 17’s N Green claimed a 25-17 win to force a third. It was a triumph highlighted by MADFROG’s supportive audience: "We won a set!” Indeed, this was MADFROG’s first set victory at NIT after a few close calls. Now that this obstacle was cleared, why not go for more? Much like the start of Set 3, these teams were inseparable to start the third. Nebraska ONE leaned on Jelinek and Dalton as setter Malorie Boesiger pushed the tempo to the outside. MADFROG responded by keeping Jones in a rhythm. 17’s N Green had enough left in the tank, even as we raced past 9:00. Kpea skied for the final kill to give MADFROG its first win at 2024 Triple Crown NIT. The Bigger Picture The implications of MADFROG’s late breakthrough are fascinating. With this result, every team in Power Pool D finished Day 1 with at least one win and one loss. All eight teams in the group are either 2-1 or 1-2. Tournament seeding is completely up in the air for Sunday. MADFROG finished Round 1 on a high note, but the stakes get higher as we reach the challenge matches. This is where the win-and-get-in mentality starts after the momentary reprieve of power pools. 17’s N Green will face a stiff test from AVA TX 17 Adidas, their neighbors from the Lone Star Region. And, despite the loss, Nebraska ONE 17 Synergy claimed first place in Power Pool D via the set percentage tiebreaker. It’s a great thing to fall back on after a setback—and a way to benefit from so much parity. Synergy awaits NPJ Salem 17 National in the challenger round. So, dial up the pressure. Power pools were all about vying for seeding, and now it’s time to battle for an Elite berth. MADFROG and Nebraska ONE are ready. |
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