Pool A preview-
1 Seed- The Master’s (23-2)
The Master’s has the most balanced team in the nation with all of their starters being top 20 players at their position. They are the clear-cut favorite to win it all this year. If they are playing their best, I don’t think they can be beat.
I was able to watch The Master’s 10+ times (benefits of being on after everybody else is done for the night).
Setter- GSAC player of the year, Patrick Paragas has the team hitting .363%, good for 2nd in the nation. Patrick is the best “pure setter” in the nation but is on the smaller size at 6’1”. About 32% of sets going to the middle in this balanced offense.
OH- All Conference- Diego Perez is hitting .308% and gets about 24% of the teams attempts. Diego is only 5’11” but jumps very weel and one of the smartest players out there. Sacrificing a little bit IMO by playing OH. He would be the top Libero in the nation if he was playing that position.
OH- All Conference- Braden Van Groningen is hitting .380% (tops in the nation) and gets about 23% of the teams attempts. Braden is a very smart player that rarely makes mistakes.
MH- All Conference- Mason Mullins is hitting .498% and gets about 16% of the teams attempts. IMO, Mason is the best middle in the country
MH- All Conference- Will Avera is hitting .426% and gets about 16% of the teams attempts. He is the second part of the best middle tandem in the country.
Opp- 6’5” lefty, All Conference- Issac Seltzer is hitting .327% and gets about 21% of the teams attempts.
Libero- All Conference- Preston Schmidt is a freshman and has stepped in to become the top libero in the nation, allowing Diego Perez to play OH. That Duo has helped make The Master’s the top passing and defensive team for my money.
During the GSAC final, Cole Oliver played OH and Diego Perez played Libero. For my money, this is their best lineup.
The Master’s has wins over the following tournament teams: Saint Xavier (x2), Grand View, Westcliff, Vanguard (x2) and OUAZ (x2)
Losses to Vanguard
8 Seed- Jamestown (21-1)
Jamestown has the trifecta going for the Cox family with Dad, Travers the coach and brother Caylor and Caydann playing outside hitter.
I was able to watch Jamestown in 5 matches this year.
Setter- They run a 6-2 with Gabriel Ocasio and Gavin Hackley (also stays in and hit in the front row) have the team hitting .312%, good for 6th in the nation. They are a very PIN heavy with only 16% going to the middle.
OH- Caylor Cox is hitting 273% and gets about 20% of the teams attempts. Big jumper and former GPAC player of the year.
OH- Caydann Cox is hitting 372% and gets about 31% of the teams attempts.
MH- Tyson Myers is hitting 442% and gets about 10% of the teams attempts
MH- Camden Steckler is hitting 427% and gets about 6% of the teams attempts
Opp- Gavin Hackley is hitting 228% and gets about 14% of the teams attempts
Opp- Tomasz Swiderski is hitting 243% and gets about 19% of the teams attempts
Jamestown has wins over the following tournament teams: OUAZ
Losses to Saint Xavier
9 Seed- Mount Mercy (24-8)
Mount Mercy needed to get to a 65% win total to get the host bid so they scheduled to make sure they got there. A lot of debate on whether that should be changed in the future as #6 Menlo was left out of the tournament to make room for them. They have a lot of critics to try to silence.
I only watched 2-3 Mount Mercy matches this year.
Setter- 2nd team All Conference- Rafeal Vieyra has the team hitting .309%, good for 8th in the nation.
OH- Heart Attacker of the Year- Akeel Oxley is hitting .300% and gets about 29% of the teams attempts. Mount Mercy goes as Akeel goes.
OH- Colin Castelnau is hitting .244% and gets about 22% of the teams attempts
MH- Rapheal Massara is hitting .411% and gets about 12% of the teams attempts
MH- 2nd team All Conference- Bo Brainerd is hitting .417% and gets about 15% of the teams attempts
Opp- Brian Lynch is hitting 277% and gets about 10% of the teams attempts
Mount Mercy has wins over the following tournament teams: Grand View
Losses to William Penn (x2), Grand View
Prediction-
The Master’s over Mount Mercy 3-0
Mount Mercy over Jamestown 3-2 (home crowd (?) carries them to a win)
The Master’s over Jamestown 3-0
Pool A winner- The Master’s