Show Me National Qualifier- Impact Players #5

Derek Jackson April 26, 2022 @ 08:00 AM

I had the opportunity to watch some amazing matches and talented players in Kanas City at the Asics Show Me National Qualifier. There were teams from all over the US in attendance. This is a type of tournament where big name clubs send some of their best teams and a place where underdogs have a chance to make a splash. Typically, each winner of the gold bracket in their division will earn a bid to the Junior National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana this summer. I was there coaching my club team but I made sure to show up early and stay late to catch some teams/players I would have otherwise missed. Here are a few players that stood out and made an impact for their team: Madison Williams #6 Outside Hitter for ONEVA15-1 (HA). She is an all around stud. She does a great job for this Wichita squad hitting outside. She is a vertically gifted OH that can go line and make it look very easy. She made her right back opponents really buckle down when they played ONEVA. I also think she did a great job when she would pull back in serve receive. She helped her team finish tied for 9th overall in the American division. Brynn Fowler #14 Right Side Hitter for UPVBC 15 Pink (OK). Her middle name is likely "Athletic" because she can really get off the ground and has great footwork for a right side hitter. Sometimes RH tend to be tall and slower and just used for blocking purposes but not her, she can be an offensive threat that the defense needs to account for. She helped her team finish tied for 13th overall in the Liberty division. Olivia Bihm #11 Outside Hitter for GCVA 151 Coast (LS). I didn't see her set but from how well she does everything else, it wouldn't surprise me if she was good at that too. She was in serve receive sometimes with only her and the setter. She would transition to hit and the whole court was an option for her. She would hit a nice roll shot, then go line, then push to the deep corner, then hit a cut shot. It was just one thing after another she was pulling out of her bag of tricks. She was a big reason this team finished 21st overall in the American division. Reece Cook #3 Setter for THR33 15-1 (HA). She is on a really fun team to watch. She had great connection with her middles. They run a 5-1 and for good reason. She does a really good job of mixing in setter attacks while in the front row. She also does a great job of having a huge range that she can get to. Her passers only needed to get it close to the 10ft line for her to put up great balls. She helped her team finish 17th overall in the American division. There was top notch talent all over the convention center. It was hard to stay focused on any one court. I see these players making waves in their home states in the upcoming school season. They will continue to develop and soon be on college coaches’ radars. I wish every team and player a solid finish to the rest of their season.