Setting the Standard 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. A machine can’t run without the oil that a setter brings to the table.
These were some of the best in the 17 Open, setting the standard at the Mid-East Qualifiers.
Ella Swindle (2023) | 6’1 S | KC Power
Regarded as one of the top setters in the 2023 class, Ella Swindle was in top form this weekend. Leading this squad to the gold medal pools on Sunday, a large piece was due to Swindle’s calm and consistent court presence. Never too rattled, the Texas commit knew which number to call at the best of times.
@ellaswindle_ connection with Reagan Fox is a beauty 🔥 #MEQs @TexasVolleyball pic.twitter.com/3GmGARoXdD
— Line Shot Volleyball (@LineShotVBall) March 25, 2022
Ava Blascziek (2023) | 5’8 S | Northern Lights
Smallest setter of the group, Ava Blascziek played big this weekend. She’s a very agile setter with great fluid movements around the court. She delivers a consistent ball to the pins and when the pass was there, Blascziek was clicking with her middles really well.
Madelyn Norton (2023) | 5’10 S/OPP | Six Pack
While listed at only 5’10, Madelyn Norton seems to play a lot bigger. Being a lefty, Norton showed a lot of opportunities of her own to score with a great rip on two. With her ability to score and how well she jumps, she was able to pull a lot of blocks for her hitters.
Ava Sarafa (2023) | 6’0 S | Michigan Elite
Ava Sarafa and company may not have had the best outing at MEQs, but it was nothing to do with the play of Sarafa. Some setters look great due to impressive passing making their job look easy, but it’s when the pass isn’t there that you can decipher the elite from the good. Sarafa once again is proving herself to be in the camp of the elite!
Does this connection ever get old?? (hint: the answer is NO!!) #MEQs @ava_sarafa @EllaSchomer pic.twitter.com/Wdlgah4mdf
— Line Shot Volleyball (@LineShotVBall) March 25, 2022
Brynn Covell (2023) | 6’0 S | NC Academy
This was the first viewing I had of Brynn Covell and I hope it’s not my last. An exciting setter to watch, she’s one of those players that make the game exciting to watch. Not only does Covell run a fast offensive, but she is quite deceptive with her ball. Beyond her setting, Covell proved to be a superb defender as well, unafraid to take a blow from an opponent.
Erin Kline (2023) | 6’1 S | Legacy
We all wanted one thing going into the qualifier and that was a bid to Junior Nationals in July, Erin Kline understood the assignment. Setting the pace to a third place finish and a bid, Kline was in top form. The Mississippi State commit was clicking with all of her hitters, particularly Harper Murray and Laurece Abraham.
Laurece Abraham is cementing herself as one of the top middles in the country. Abraham was superb all tournament long!!! @YaleVolleyball #MEQs #BidDay pic.twitter.com/O1PY1n9Jxn
— Line Shot Volleyball (@LineShotVBall) March 27, 2022
Audrey Clark (2023) | 5’10 S | TAV
Taking the ultimate crown in Indianapolis, Audrey Clark was the engine that drove this machine to a 10-0 weekend. There wasn’t an off play for Clark throughout the entire campaign. She was on point from start to finish. Her defense was spectacular and the way she could direct an offense was superb.
Special Mention:
Zoey Dood (2024) | 6’2 S | MVA
While MVA somehow dropped down from the Open division during the week, I was able to catch a game of Zoey Dood‘s before departing the convention center. No matter the competition, Dood elevates this team and then some. Only a sophomore in her own right, she plays above the best and continued to do so this weekend.
@DoodZoey with the sneaky sneaky dump!! #MEQs pic.twitter.com/ekvLIgbzDn
— Line Shot Volleyball (@LineShotVBall) March 26, 2022