JVA Midwest Challenge Crowns Champions From 4 States
The JVA Midwest Challenge is developing into the top tournament in Iowa as well as the go to event to start out May for clubs around the Midwest. With some of the top clubs out of Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska,…
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Continue ReadingThe JVA Midwest Challenge is developing into the top tournament in Iowa as well as the go to event to start out May for clubs around the Midwest. With some of the top clubs out of Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin this has also become a really attractive recruiting event for D2, D3, NAIA, and NJCAA coaches to recruit while the Division 1 schools are “Quiet”, meaning they are not allowed to leave campus to evaluate recruits. Here are your champions from the JVA Midwest Challenge.
15 and Under
Milwaukee Sting 15 Black blazed through the competition this past weekend with an overall record of 7-0. Sting is always one of the top programs in the country and the 15 Black team is always a favorite heading into every event of their division. They finished just outside the top ten of the Badger Region Power League 16 Elite Division with all the top 15s/16s teams in Wisconsin.
Sting defeated to VCN out of Lincoln, NE in three sets in the championship in three sets. One of the surprise teams of the tournament whose only loss was in the semifinals was VC United 141 Elite out of Rockford, Illinois, one of the top 14s teams in the Midwest.
Kandi Elite the 16 and Under Champions from Willmar, MN16 and Under
Minnesota clubs found the most success in the 16 and Under Division with the top three clubs coming from the North Star State in Kandi Elite out of Willmar, MN taking the title followed by Crossfire 16-1 and MN Premier. Kandi Elite went a perfect 6-0, however four of their six matches were three set victories.
Some of the top performers for Kandi Elite would be their outside hitters in Carli Vargason and Bailey Olson, both are extremely athletic with Vargason being a really strong in the backrow as well. Another big time player for KEVC was Aleah Ziske on the right side who provides a solid block and powerful swing forcing the defense to honor both pins.
16 Open
16 Open provided some of the top 16s team in town and the final four consisted of Nebraska Juniors 16 Black, VCN 16 Elite, Kokoro 16-1, and Kairos 16 Adidas. Kairos is one of the top teams in South Dakota and Kokoro 16-1 has had a really strong year out of St. Paul, MN. Nebraska Juniors and VCN are two of the top clubs in Nebraska and come from the Lincoln. VCN 16 Elite has Rebekah Allick, a Class of 2022 middle blocker committed to Nebraska as well as Elle Glock who has committed to set at USC. However, at the end of the day Juniors 16 Black came out on top with four of their five victories coming in three sets.
Big win and huge swing by @SCSUhuskies_vb commit Kenzie Foley to seal the win for @mvp_vball pic.twitter.com/bNj3erhukS
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) May 4, 2019
17 and Under
MVP out of Sioux City wasn’t even the favorite in their pool to advance into Gold play, but after defeating Kokoro (MN), a heavy favorite, really was a turning point in their weekend. MVP picked off one club, one state at a time defeating Crossfire (MN), Adrenaline (IA), Nebraska Juniors 17 Black, and in the championship Kandi Elite (MN) in three sets. MVP definitely has two major point scorers in Kenzie Foley, an All State pin hitter out of Sergeant Bluff-Luton (IA) and a St. Cloud State commit. Another big point scorer is Jazlin De Haan who is actually from the Class of 2021 playing up. In the final match of Saturday down late to Legacy out of Nebraska, De Haan came up huge with roll shots to the campfire to lead a big comeback for MVP to give them momentum for Sunday. MVP’s semifinals and finals both ended with three set victories by the score of 15-12.
I saw @mvp_vball one of the very first tournaments of the year in Omaha…they have improved so much. Power on the pins and really solid ball control! pic.twitter.com/pWAPIeHHzs
— Chris Fitzgerald (@PrepDigChris) May 4, 2019
18 and Under
VCN Nebraska 17 Elite dropped a pool play match to Eastern Iowa Xtreme 17 Teal which is loaded with Division 1 talent, but came back Sunday in Gold and blazed four sweeps in a row with victories over River City 18 Navy (NE), Kokoro 18-1 (MN), Kairos 18 Adidas (SD), and in the championship defeated fellow crosstown rival Nebraska Juniors 18 Black 25-23, 29-27 to claim the championship.