16 High Flying Pins at MEQs: 17 Open
The biggest names of the club scene across the country came head to head in one of the hottest tournaments of the year. The Mid-East Qualifiers saw the heaviest of heavy weights walk into the ring of the convention center…
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Continue ReadingThe biggest names of the club scene across the country came head to head in one of the hottest tournaments of the year. The Mid-East Qualifiers saw the heaviest of heavy weights walk into the ring of the convention center with one goal in mind. A bid to Junior Nationals in July.
Monster blocks, mega rallies, and bombs aplenty, they were all you could want here in Indianapolis. Texas Advantage Volleyball club took the ultimate crown at MEQs and walked away totally unscathed somehow, with a 10-0 record. This came behind some pretty athletic, high flying pins.
They couldn’t do it without a challenge though from some other elite pins. Here are 15 of the best pin attackers at the Mid-East Qualifiers.
Chloe Chicoine (2023) | 5’9 OH | Circle City
This player was very much the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. Chloe Chicoine has springs for legs and she can launch so high above the net. Her hops are insane and her defense can challenge the most elite of liberos. Purdue bound Chicoine was a treat to watch and her court was often crowded with fans.
I don’t think there was anyone more in the zone this weekend than @ChicoineChloe – @PurdueVB has some heat comin’ in!!!! #MEQs #BidDay #BoilerUp pic.twitter.com/rEsxBJin5J
— Line Shot Volleyball (@LineShotVBall) March 27, 2022
Ava Smith (2023) | 6’1 OH | Circle City
Opposite Chicoine is Ava Smith, just as impressive in her own right. Lengthy on the left pin, Smith has some insane hops of her own and was causing fits for defenders all weekend. Where Chicoine could hit through the seam of the block, Smith was often going over. Smith is currently uncommitted and an amazing get for any program!
Halle Schroder (2023) | 6’0 OH | Drive Nation
Drive Nation has a deep bench of pins themselves, a roster full of heavy boppers, Halle Schroder had herself a fine showing in Indianapolis. Schroder can smoke the ball in system, but her blows on an out of system ball were top notch. She gets up and delivers a hard ball always. Even from the back line, Schroder was sending in missiles.
Bailey Miller (2023) | 6’3 OH | Drive Nation
From start to finish, Bailey Miller was on the hunt for a bid. A steady force on the left the first two days, Miller somehow turned the heat up even higher for Sunday. Miller has a loaded arm and loves to run a fast ball. She has a nasty cross-body line shot that deemed pretty unstoppable against the likes of Northern Lights.
Bailey Miller for @DriveNation_Dfw is an X factor!!! She wants that bid!!! #MEQs #BidDay pic.twitter.com/lttoM8AzzV
— Line Shot Volleyball (@LineShotVBall) March 27, 2022
Kyndal Stowers (2023) | 5’11 OH | TAV
With a stacked field in this 17 Open division, TAV showed up and showed out with a 10-0 finish. A superb weekend credited behind the prowess of the pins for TAV. Kyndal Stowers with the heavy arm on the left side had herself a great weekend. The Baylor commit boasts a heavy arm and was ripping away.
Sydney Breon (2023) | 5’11 OH | TAV
Opposite of Stower was Sydney Breon, UCLA bound in the Fall of 2023, she showcased why she is committed to one of the best volleyball programs in the country. Breon has a great arm with a lot of range in her swings. Breon and Stowers were both huge for TAV in their title match against Circle City.
Harper Murray (2023) | 6’2 OH | Legacy
Harper Murray was just doing Harper Murray things this weekend. You could watch her a million times and still be in awe with every play. The Nebraska commit continues to be Legacy’s go-to outlet and deservedly so, Murray was attacking at such a high clip this weekend.
Reagan Fox (2023) | 6’1 OH | KC Power
Upon first steps into this booming convention center, this biggest boom I heard was Reagan Fox! A huge piece of this KC Power offense, Fox had a really good weekend. She has a great whip of the arm and can get on top of the ball fast! Her arm swing is reminiscent of a young Kelsey Robinson.
@ellaswindle_ connection with Reagan Fox is a beauty 🔥 #MEQs @TexasVolleyball pic.twitter.com/3GmGARoXdD
— Line Shot Volleyball (@LineShotVBall) March 25, 2022
Cassidy Hartman (2023) | 5’11 OH | Six Pack
Slightly undersized in this field of massive pin hitters, Cassidy Hartman was able to make her presence known. Her approach to the ball is very consistent, and can throw off some stellar defenders with last minute off-speed shots. But it’s not often you see this, Hartman has a heavy arm and loves to fire away.
Ella Christ (2023) | 6’0 OH | Northern Lights
She’s the go-to for Northern Lights and Ella Christ did pretty well in this role. Leading Lights to the gold medal pool play on Sunday, Christ was hammering away from start to finish. Mostly in for her prowess at the net, she knows how to be a team player and deliver when called upon.
@ellachrist04 was strong for @nlightsvball in their match against @DriveNation_Dfw #MEQs #BidDay pic.twitter.com/MMY5LlS43A
— Line Shot Volleyball (@LineShotVBall) March 27, 2022
Ava Nepkin (2023) | 6’3 OH | 1st Alliance
Ava Nepkin was a pretty imposing force on the left side in Indianapolis. She has a pretty large stature, standing at 6’3 and then as she gets into flight, Nepkin can really get up. She has a high reach and a really strong arm that can terminate at a high level.
Sophia Carslon (2023) | 6’0 OH | NC Academy
The go-to gun on the left side for NC Academy, Sophia Carlson was eating up every set she got this weekend. Going against some huge blocks, Carlson had no problem. She sees the block well and is relentless in blasting off of the toughest of blockers throughout the tournament.
Nicole Mauser (2023) | 6’3 OPP | Drive Nation
If their left sides weren’t impressive enough for you, then take a look at their opposites. Nicole Mauser made an impact during her time on the right. Her footwork to the ball is impressive, she sees the block well and as right handed opposite, she had some eye popping shots.
Samantha Hoppes (2023) | 6’0 OPP | Drive Nation
Opposite of Mauser came in Samantha Hoppes, a totally different player in her own right and oh so hard to defend. The big south paw for Drive Nation, there was never a time you couldn’t find her. Hoppe was constantly available and ready for the big-time swings.
Ceci Gooch (2023) | 6’2 OPP/MB | Drive Nation
If two wasn’t enough, they have a third big gun that can get it done on the right pin. The University of Michigan commit impressed during her time on the court. With her versatility of being a middle blocker, Ceci Gooch creates a wall at the net. Gooch also proved to be a reliable attacker as well.
@umichvball bound @CeciGooch comin’ up big for @DriveNation_Dfw in this rally against @nlightsvball !! #MEQs #BidDay pic.twitter.com/ONIBOp6mkf
— Line Shot Volleyball (@LineShotVBall) March 27, 2022
Kamille Gibson (2023) | 6’0 OPP | TAV
Somehow TAV managed to not only win the Mid-East Qualifiers, but come out unscathed with a 10-0 record. Look no further than Kamille Gibson as a huge contributing factor. She’s a menace to contain as an opposite attacker and she can shut anybody down with ease.