Presidents Day Challenge 16 Open Standouts
It was an out-of-state display in the 16 Open/Premier division of the Presidents Day Challenge this past weekend in Detroit, but there will still plenty of players that shined from the state of Michigan and elsewhere. Here’s a look at…
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Continue ReadingIt was an out-of-state display in the 16 Open/Premier division of the Presidents Day Challenge this past weekend in Detroit, but there will still plenty of players that shined from the state of Michigan and elsewhere.
Here’s a look at some of the top players that took the court this weekend from the 16 Open/Premier Division.
Munciana Indy 16 Valkyrie: The Indiana-based squad came away with the championship this weekend by going 6-0 and dropping just one set out of a total of 13. They looked very strong in the final, picking up a 25-23, 25-16 victory. The team had a true future star on display in Class of 2024 outside hitter Lauren Evans. I had to triple-check the Class of 2024 listing because she played well above her age. Evans had a dynamite serve that baffled all of her opponents. She also had a lot of composure and a great swing at the net. Keep an eye on Evans, because she is going places. Mia Fehlinger, the team’s libero, also caught my eye. Any championship run at this level requires good passing and Fehlinger did her part. Valkyrie kept itself in-system thanks to Fehlinger’s passing and ability to put herself in the best position.
NIVA 16 Red: The Indiana-based squad went 5-1, losing only to the champs in the final. They found a way to grind out a pair of three-set wins during bracket play. Outside hitter Abby Weaver really displayed great all-around ability. She had a powerful serve, strong passing and explosive finishes at the net. Weaver didn’t have the size of other hitters, but she made up for it with her competitiveness. Her hitting teammate Taylor Hostetler also showed a lot of effort on the court. She had a serve that gave her opponents a lot of trouble and made a number of hustle plays in the back row.
Lex United 66 Adidas: Lex United made the trip to Detroit from Kentucky and had a pretty successful weekend. Their lone loss over the two days was a semifinal defeat against NIVA 16 Red, 26-24, 20-25, 16-14. Middle hitter Keri Blair was a great finisher for Lex United. When her number was called, she put the ball down and showed the ability to use her footwork to put herself in the best position to finish points. Part of that success was also due to setter Campbell Gash, who set her teammates up well throughout the weekend.
Munciana 16 Banana Slugs: The Slugs also went 4-0 to start their weekend before being edged by Valkyrie in three sets, 17-25, 25-23, 15-8. Taylor Stinefield played exceptionally well at libero. She kept her team in a lot of points and did so with a lot of composure. Katie Bremer was a finisher at the net for the Slugs. She had a lot of pop on her swings and wasn’t afraid to make necessary corrections during a set.
Some other players that caught my eye in the division this weekend from in-state programs:
Nya Mays, MH Michigan Elite 16 National East
Zoey Mertz, L Michigan Elite 16 National East
Anita Berisha, MH Team D 16-White
Grace Dziedzig, L Team D 16-White
Olivia Nalu, S Unified 16-3
Kealey Kolp, MH Unified 16-3
Megan Gross, OH AVBC 16 Elite
Rachel Ross, MH AVBC 16 Elite
Haile Polisano, OH Monsters 16 Elite
Ashley Noyes, L Monsters 16 Elite
Kayla McCabe, S AVBC 16 National Red
Kaylee Lathrop, S Crank It 16u Scalici
Hannah Wessels, S Dead Frog 16 Green
Lanna Lewis, OH/MH Michigan Elite 16 National West