Program Spotlight: Kearney VBC 15U at the Legacy Challenge
Players from the metropolitan areas of each state understandably get well covered by recruiting services and sites. Strong players, or teams, from out state areas sometimes need a special effort to get noticed. I will cover a few of these…
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Continue ReadingPlayers from the metropolitan areas of each state understandably get well covered by recruiting services and sites. Strong players, or teams, from out state areas sometimes need a special effort to get noticed. I will cover a few of these outstate Nebraska and Iowa teams, highlighting players who make the special effort worthwhile. First in the rotation is the Kearney Volleyball Club 15U team. They recently competed in the Legacy Challenge Tournament in Elkhorn, Nebraska.
Kearney VBC 15 is a well balanced club with a small roster of two 7th and six 8th graders. As a result, there is lots of playing time, and they are forced to be solid all-around, full rotation players. They more than live up to the challenge of playing this way. Coached by Prairie Miles, KHS Freshman Team coach, this squad stood strong against the deeper, older, more specialized metro club squads at the Legacy Challenge.
Possessing good chemistry and communication, you won’t see a standout libero, setter, blocker, or other specialist on this team. You will find 7 (8 when at full roster) players that can pass, set, serve, and deliver hits while blanketing the floor on defense. They are flat-out fun to watch.
In addition to covering the floor with tenacious defense, another strength is their serving. Not many points are lost to service errors. In the legacy challenge tournament, 7 of 8 roster players were suited up. Karsyn Worley (#6) and Emma Kucera (#5) had particularly strong day at the service line.
Remember, all these players are all-around players. But Avery Franzen (#2) and Tatum Rusher (#8) really stood out as excellent hitters. Avery is a strong outside hitter who, as a 7th grader, has limitless potential. Tatum is the kind of 6 rotation player you rarely see in today’s specialized game. She is court savvy and can make good hits on most passes. Ellise Mehlin (#4) and Audrey Nelson (#1) share primary setting duties. Both can hit well when the other sets. Ellise showed very strong serving skills too.
At this level to see a squad of all-around skill players who communicate and hustle is fun to watch. The future of volleyball in the Kearney region looks bright, if this group of players continue to develop.