From PrepDig: SCVC 16 Elite has heart to survive three-set thriller as TC NIT builds momentum2/18/2024 By Chris Fitzgerald
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The SCVC vs Houston Skyline 16s match had a little bit of a NBA courtside feel of the “Who’s Who” of volleyball having eyes on this match. Nebraska’s staff was in full force along with star outside Harper Murray joining them, the top schools in California, Texas, name a top program and they were there. Olympic gold medalist Jordyn Poulter was on the baseline. These athletes definitely put on a show. Both sides of the net featured athletes who are among the top in their state, they are even among the best in the nation. It’s California vs Texas. It’s where “The Elite Come to Compete”. On paper, Houston Skyline 16 Black has plenty of firepower with outsides Halle Thompson and Jayden Robinson who are some of the most physical and athletic outsides nationally in the Class of 2026. Across the net would be Audrey Flanagan who is one of the top outsides in the Class of 2026 in California and if you’re one of the best in California you are one of the best in the country. However, the story of this game was found in the SCVC balance and multiple players contributing at different times throughout the match. With the score tied at 19 in set one, it was the block of SCVC that would spark the final six points to seal the deal. Middle blocker Maya Stillwell was a force with her length and ability to establish position against a very electric Houston Skyline offense. She also teamed up with right side Abby Zimmerman, who would come up clutch all match with a key block or kill. SCVC would take set one 25-20. In set two, SCVC would go up 23-20, closing in on a sweep and a spot in the final eight of the 16s Championship Division. Not so fast, said Thompson of Houston Skyline. She would go on a run of backrow kills, completely flipping the momentum to the side of the Texas squad. Houston Skyline would take the set 27-25 and force a deciding third set. The SCVC team out of Redondo Beach, California kept their poise as they did all match. Coach Amir Lugo-Rodriguez talked about the experience this team has playing together that is a huge advantage for them during these tight matches. “This team has been together for a while. They are so used to playing together and sometimes against each other. We are such a tight knit group and they are used to leaning on each other and ultimately there's not a lot we need to do as coaches because that team just refuses to quit and stays rock solid together.” Rock solid they were in set three. Different athletes stepped up in clutch moments. Audrey Flanagan got things rolling with a stuff block, followed by a roll shot in the middle of the court. Sammy Destler would rotate to the front row and continue the momentum with two kills, including an overpass kill that would really get SCVC rolling in set three. Setter Milly McGee was the quarterback of this squad keeping the other side off balanced and coming up with some big time blocks and digs of her own. DS/Libero Jordan Shelor came in with some big time serves to force Houston Skyline out of system, resulting in free ball kills for SCVC. “Jordan came in and we needed her to hit the serve that she does every single day and she executed it perfectly,” said Lugo-Rodriguez. With SCVC up 12-6, Houston Skyline made a furious rally. They came back to make it 13-10 and eventually 13-12 before scoring the final two points, winning the match 15-12 in set three. “A lot of our opponents really key on our outsides, but we are a very balanced team. It’s a total team effort.” The SoCal kids are back in the final eight of NIT Triple Crown where they were runner up in 2023 as 15s. They will take the court again Monday morning when they face TAV 16 Black in a quarterfinal match. |
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