Tour of Texas Preview: Match-Ups We're Excited to Watch

Day 1 Power Pool Preview – Heavyweights Everywhere

Day 1 of the Tour of Texas wastes no time getting to the good stuff. These power pools are absolutely loaded with high-end prospects from the 2028 and 2029 classes, and there are marquee matchups right out of the gate. From elite pins battling it out to setters running high-octane offenses, this is about as good as it gets early in the season. Let’s dive into what should be some must-watch pools.

Power Pool #1 – Clash of the Titans

Right away, we get a showdown featuring some of the very best pins in the 2028 and 2029 classes. The top three pins in 2028 and the top player in 2029 collide as TAV 16 Black Yun takes on A5 16 Gabe, a matchup loaded with firepower on both sides.

TAV is led by 2028 Diamond and our top opposite, Sarah Floyd (292 PPV), a dynamic lefty who headlines a stacked roster. She’s joined by our #2 OH in the class, Maya Ogbogu (278 PPV), along with Trinity Johnson (230 PPV) on the pin and Katie Wawersich (196 PPV) controlling the middle. In the backcourt, Caitlin Carrizales (218 PPV) brings a steady, high-level presence, while setter Evann Beville (195 PPV) has the task of distributing to a lineup full of terminal attackers.

On the other side, A5 16 Gabe counters with elite pins of their own. Leilani Lamar (281 PPV), the top OH in 2028, teams up with the top overall player in 2029, Diamond-level OH Kari Knotts (298 PPV). Add in physical middles Julia Clark (229 PPV) and Mali Nyankori (219 PPV), and quarterbacked by setter Jane Myers (214 PPV), and this one has all the makings of a heavyweight battle we hope to see multiple times this season.

Dallas Skyline 16 Royal-Paul also gets a shot at these two powerhouses, and they bring plenty of punch themselves. Silver-level OH Taylor Johnson (259 PPV) leads a group that includes Gracie White (223 PPV) in the middle, Kate Clegg (193 PPV) on the right, Aleah Edmond (188 PPV) on the pin, and Stella Sanchez (210 PPV) anchoring the middle. To say this pool is loaded with future high-level D1 talent would be an understatement.

Flying in from sunny San Diego, Wave 16 Scott comes to Texas ready to show they belong in this loaded field. There’s no easing into the Tour of Texas in this pool, and Wave won’t be sneaking up on anyone. They’re led by setter Chloe Taylor (184 PPV), who will be looking to put her stamp on the weekend against elite competition. Her go-to weapon is Summer Tukua (227 PPV), one of the top California players in the 2028 class across both indoor and beach. Tukua brings a true all-around game, impacting the match in every phase and doing everything at a high level, which makes Wave a dangerous matchup even in a heavyweight pool like this.

Power Pool #2 – Midwest Meets Texas Meets SoCal

This pool features some fantastic cross-region matchups, with teams representing three major volleyball hotbeds.

Tstreet 16 Bailey (SoCal) heads to Texas bringing high-level athletes and a fast-paced offense. Rising setter Riley Stringer (184 PPV) runs the show, setting up her go-to pins Josslyn Jacks (227 PPV) and Piper Coady (215 PPV) to do damage on the left. In the back row, Bella Turcios (161 PPV) will be patrolling the court as Tstreet looks to make noise deep in the pool.

Joining them from out of state is 1st Alliance 16 Gold from the Chicago suburbs. Led by NTDP veteran setter Tatum Kelly (264 PPV), this group heads south eager to see how they stack up against some of the best competition Texas has to offer.

Defending home-state territory is Alamo 16 Premier, a roster filled with P4 and high-level D1 prospects. Their highest-rated player, Piper Pease (227 PPV), looks to control the right side of the net, while fellow Elite Red prospect Sydney Whisenton (224 PPV) directs the offense. Charli George (180 PPV) in the middle and OHs Claire Bolton and Brooke Oney (both 173 PPV) will be looking to establish themselves as top attackers on this tour. Holding it all together in the backcourt is Sara Gonzalez (197 PPV), tasked with slowing down opposing offenses and jump-starting her own.

Power Pool #3 – Don’t Mess With Texas

This is a Texas-heavy pool stacked with top prospects all trying to separate themselves and claim the title of best in the state. Three of the top five setters in the tournament are here, so expect some very high-level offenses and competitive matchups.

Excel 16 National Red brings in a pair of prospects with plenty to prove. Landry McRae (234 PPV) sits right on the edge of Silver level, and a big weekend could push her firmly into that tier. She’ll be leaning on Taylor Toomay (173 PPV), a high-level athlete capable of scoring in big moments.

Austin Juniors 16 adidas is led by Elite Red setter Charlie Niu (230 PPV), a player we’ve highlighted multiple times as we’ve enjoyed watching her rise. Her connection with long, high-upside middle Chloe Frizzell (189 PPV) will be tested against some very physical, athletic opponents.

As always, Houston Juniors 16 Elite brings a roster full of top-end athletes. Elite Red setter Macie Chase (219 PPV) has no shortage of weapons, including two of our top 2028 OHs in Texas: Sade Bello (240 PPV) and Elsa St. Rose (200 PPV). In the middle, Gold-level MB Nlonna Okwaura (273 PPV),  one of our biggest risers coming out of NTDP,  will be a major presence and a problem for opposing offenses.

There are so many great matchups across these power pools on Day 1 of the Tour of Texas, and we can’t wait to see how these heavyweight battles unfold. From the first whistle to the last, this weekend should deliver intense, high-level volleyball at every turn.

​