Notable Prospects from Pioneer Region Bid Event

<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="85899" first="Grace" last="Purichia"]</strong> - S | 2023 | Union 17-1<br /> The Jacksonville State commit led her team to the U17 crown and would be named the MVP of the event if that recognition was part of the tournament. At 5’7 she is quick and athletic, delivers a terrific ball, makes great decisions, and is extremely savvy in finding her own opportunities to score as an offensive threat.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="118341" first="Alexis" last="Caldwell"]</strong> - OH | 2023 | Union 17-1<br /> Caldwell was a IHSVCA all-district selection and showed why she has had such great success for her high school team. The 6’1 pin attacker has a nice arm and showed good power and range throughout the day in helping her team claim the U17 title.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="139274" first="Melana" last="Bigelow"]</strong> - RS | 2024 | NKYVC 16-Tide<br /> Bigelow played for the top 15s team at NKYVC a year ago but looks much more comfortable and successful with this Tide team this season. The Turpin product has good presence on the right side of the floor and when she gets her feet to the ball and is on balance she can hit a heavy ball. She and her teammates claimed 2nd and the American division bid.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="143807" first="Makenzie" last="Wagner"]</strong> - S/RS | 2024 | Union 16-1<br /> This 5’10 prospect has big upside to her game. She has great versatility to contribute in several phases of the game including setting some rotations and scoring with her arm. The lefty gets up well and can generate great arm speed in the arm, scoring a lot of points for her team. She has good ball control skills too that make her one of the best well-rounded players in the U16 division.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="158348" first="Peyton" last="Walker"]</strong> - MB | 2024 | NKYVC 16-Tide<br /> Walker is a near 10’ jump touch prospect and makes her presence known as a middle given her athleticism. Her offensive skills continue to improve as the quality of her movement patterns gets better, which is also increasing her confidence levels to be a factor on both sides of the ball. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="68144" first="Chloe" last="Fortner"]</strong> - DS | 2023 | NKYVC 17-Tsunami<br /> Fortner has good skill foundation as a defensive specialist that has high impact when on balance, patient, and making the right reads. She can produce good first-step reaction that allows her to extend her range defensively and create good transition opportunities for her team. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="104550" first="Kayla" last="Bryant"]</strong> - OH | 2022 | Union 18-1<br /> The Tennessee-Martin commit has good quickness in her movement patterns that leads to a fast arm in the air. She opens well to the ball allowing her arm to generate good pace and power upon contact. She has a complete six-rotation game and can score from the back row as well. </p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="107423" first="Alivia" last="Skidmore"]</strong> - OH | 2024 | NKYVC 17-Tsunami<br /> It was great to see Skidmore back on the court after being sidelined due to injury through their first couple of tournaments. She is such an athletic talent and showed what she is capable of at both pins with her arm helping her team win this event. She is getting back into the groove and it will be fun to see her progress as they compete at Bluegrass this next weekend heading into the rest of qualifying season.</p>