Kansas and Missouri teams in 18 USA and Liberty at NL
With close to an even split, we will tackle both the Kansas and Missouri teams starting to play on January 29th in Omaha, Nebraska. The teams will compete for one of the three USA bids in play. USA The highest-ranked…
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Continue ReadingWith close to an even split, we will tackle both the Kansas and Missouri teams starting to play on January 29th in Omaha, Nebraska. The teams will compete for one of the three USA bids in play.
USA
The highest-ranked of the teams is the top seed in Pool 4, 417 Juniors 18-1. This team features some veteran players who played up on the 18s team a season ago and have the experience to help lead their team to an early-season bid. Setter Sydney Golden Sydney Golden 5'9" | S Nixa | 2022 State MO was an AVCA All-American. Defender Emma Conrad Emma Conrad 5'0" | DS/L Nixa | 2023 State MO has been steady in her career. Middle Tevi Gurley Tevi Gurley 5'10" | OH El Dorado Springs | 2022 State MO is a player to watch.
In Pool 5, Mizuno Club North 18-1 moves up to the USA division after securing a bid in the newly created Liberty two weeks ago after going 8-0. They hope to upgrade and continue their strong play as they are led by some familiar faces along with a couple of welcomed additions. Yanni Washington Yanni Washington 5'10" | OH North Kansas City | 2022 State MO has been a mainstay in this line-up, along with Haylee O’Meara Haylee O’Meara 5'10" | OH Liberty North | 2022 State MO . When this team is in system, they look sharp and can score with ease along the front line.
The second seed in Pool 7 will be Shockwave 18 Ryan out of Wichita, Kansas. They had a tough go playing in the open division at MLK, going 0-7 but that experience should enable them to fare well in Omaha this weekend. Keep your eye on Marissa Holt and Rachel Butts this weekend.
The final team in our coverage region will be Fight Club 18-1, also from southern Kansas. They went 5-3 in the USA division last time out and hope to build on that play to secure a bid. Maliyah Johnson Maliyah Johnson 5'8" | OH Hutchinson | 2023 State KS had a strong fall campaign and is a player to keep your eyes on along with dynamic middle Abigail Rose.
Predictions: We like Mizuno Club North to upgrade their bid by having another eye-opening weekend.
Liberty
Both Mavs 816 18-1 and PVA 18 National were granted top seeds in their respective opening pools. The Mavs team went 4-3 in the same division a couple of weeks back for a 6th place finish. Lacey Higgens and Olivia Schnick Olivia Schnick OH Summit Christian Academy | 2022 State MO are both standout players, also look for Madison Freed Madison Freed 5'9" | S Lawrence | 2022 State KS to contribute throughout the weekend.
PVA 18 National finished second in the American division at the MLK Kansas City Qualifier. They had a 7-2 record, dropping five sets along the way. They should be primed to compete for a bid this at Northern Lights. Some names on their roster to look out for include Alexcia Jones and Ashlynn Landon.
The third team representing the Sunflower State is Dynasty 18 Blue. A team that had great success as 17s lost a few key players but look to keep their reputation as one of the better “two” teams in the nation. They went 3-4 at MLK. Kaia Cordill is an addition and keep an eye on Madison Smith Madison Smith 5'7" | DS/L St. Joseph’s Academy | 2023 State MO to make some plays.
Prediction: We think on the heels of a “so close” moment two weeks ago, PVA 18 National grabs a bid.