Heart of America Power League Qualifier: 17s

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first attempts to earn a bid got started with the HOA [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League Qualifier last weekend! Two national division bids normally go out after the play dates are complete, with the potential for some trickle-downs based on open bids earned throughout the season. Here are the teams that took competed in the qualifier with 40 teams getting a chance to continue. This is a loaded region in this age group led by [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 17 Black. We won't try to put too much pressure on them this year but we expect them to be in the hunt come July.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And with that said, other teams are not intimidated by this bunch as evidenced by [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] 17-1 walking away with the early head-to-head win over [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] in the seeding championship match. We will get more into roster breakdowns in the coming days but [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] returns a strong nucleus led by setter [player_tooltip player_id='119693' first='Janelle' last='Green'] and pin [player_tooltip player_id='153937' first='Alea' last='Goolsby']. We could go through the whole [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] roster to name standouts but we'll match [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] by highlighting setter [player_tooltip player_id='154039' first='Reese' last='Messer'] and pin [player_tooltip player_id='119226' first='Carlie' last='Cisneros']. An important note: The top teams from each pool advanced to a seeding bracket where only one set was played...so we won't put too much stock just yet into these wins we are highlighting in this article. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was Mavs KC 17-1 and [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] 17-2 that went down to the above-mentioned teams in the semifinal round to get the 3rd and 4th seeds going into [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League. Mavs squeaked by Club North 17-1 to faceoff with [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']']. [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] 17-2 escaped a back and forth with Pohaku to take on [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last='']. Mavs return [player_tooltip player_id='150066' first='Sara' last='Allmon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='119691' first='Kelsey' last='Schenck']. We saw a lot from [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] 17-2 last season and expect them to make noise again this [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League series being led by [player_tooltip player_id='172451' first='Chloe' last='Tyrrell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='119712' first='Shannon' last='Frakes']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The next four teams technically all ended with the 5 beside their name but once it was all sorted out Club North gets the 5th, Shockwave 17-1 followed by Pohaku 17-1 and Mavs KC 17-2 rounding out the top 8. Mizuno Club North was perfect in pool play and took down Tamales in bracket play. [player_tooltip player_id='216466' first='Kendall' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='124853' first='Mikalah' last='Davis'] are two weapons on the pin. Shockwave didn't drop a set before falling to [program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] 17-1 to earn a [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] League spot. [player_tooltip player_id='153936' first='Jillian' last='Gregory'] and [player_tooltip player_id='150065' first='Camdyn' last='Stucky'] lead a deep Wichita-based roster. Pohaku split with 417 Juniors but a couple of lopsided set wins in other matches gave them the top seed and a trip to PL. [player_tooltip player_id='119689' first='Ava' last='Martin'] is one of many names to know and we will highlight more in the days to come. And last but not least, Mavs KC 17-2 They also had a match split to start the day but escape to win the pool. [player_tooltip player_id='216384' first='Keilah' last='Rivers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='184732' first='Reese' last='Massey'] are difference-makers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Apex 17-1 and Tamales 17-1 were our final two teams to get in by winning their pools and breathing easy heading into the afternoon. Both Springfield, MO area clubs took care of business in pool play. Apex was perfect while Tamales did drop one set. Apex is a team we were impressed with last season with a roster that includes [player_tooltip player_id='150038' first='Mollie' last='Thomas'] and Bella Faria. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last six teams had to fight from the backside to find their way to the ultimate goal of being one of sixteen competing for bids. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>11. 417 Juniors (4-0-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>12. [program_tooltip program_id='428892' first='PVA' last=''] 17-1 (3-0-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>13. KC Challenge 17-1 (4-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>14. [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 17-2 (3-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>15. 417 Columbia 17-1 (3-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16. Mavs 816 17-1 (3-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->