Mintonette Earns 17 Open Bid

<p>Mintonette M.71 entered the Show Me national qualifer in Kansas City seeded as the #2 team overall and seeking a bid to the GNJC in the 17 Open division. Following a 7-3 weekend they fulfilled that objective, claiming one of three bids available at the event. With three teams competing that previously earned their bid, Mintonette claimed their spot as the bids trickled down far enough to the winner of their 5th place match on the final day. Following day one’s 2-1 record, they maintained their #2 seed heading into day two, which saw them claim three wins to help advance them as a top seed going into the the gold round of pool play to determine the final standings. Although going 1-2 on day three in pool play, this placed them 3rd with an opportunity to compete in a crossover with the 3rd place team (Iowa Rockets) from the adjacent gold round pool, a team they earlier defeated on day two. Mintonette would not be denied earning the most important win of the tournament with a 2-0 sweep (25-17, 25-19). </p> <p>This team has a solid collection of arms on the pins that provide good size, length, and power for their offensne. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114523" first="Ella" last="Durham"]</strong>, a San Diego commit, has a big arm that can challenge the biggest of blocks well with her high contact point. She gets good support from <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="169479" first="Kaleigh" last="Palmer"]</strong>, one of the state’s best point scorers from the high school season in the 2023 class. She is committed to Alabama. On the right side is <strong>Lauryn</strong> <strong>Bowie</strong> at 6’2 and committed to Virginia. She provides good offense to balance the big defense she can create with her block. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141696" first="Ava" last="Hoying"]</strong> adds depth to their pin options and provides the best ball control and defense in the back row among this corps of hitters.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="169527" first="Mercedes" last="Motton"]</strong>, although listed at 5’8, is dynamic as a middle for this team. She is athletic, has good quickness, and is explosive with her lift off the floor. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="114513" first="Eloise" last="Brandewie"]</strong> is also extremely dynamic as the Ohio State commit is considered one of the best middles in the country given her skill set, athleticism, and increased opportunities with the USA national team training programs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141699" first="Emma" last="Beretich"]</strong> adds depth to this position. </p> <p>Some of the skill work that gets overlooked sometimes comes from setter <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141691" first="Kayla" last="Dulgar"]</strong> and her ability to distribute good balance in their offense. Additionally, libero <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="141690" first="Jonna" last="Spohn"]</strong> is solid in her role with her first contact consistency in serve receive and her court awareness and quickness defensively. She is committed to Ole Miss.</p> <p>Mintonette is currently the only Ohio Valley Region team to qualify for the 17 Open division at the upcoming GJNC with four national qualifier events remaining on the schedule.</p>