Preview: Ohio Valley Qualifier 18 Open

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A total of 20 teams are set to compete in the Open division at the Ohio Valley 18s Qualifier this coming weekend in Columbus, Ohio for a bid to the USA GJNC later this coming spring. Here some of the area teams competing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Mintonette m.81</em></strong><br>The #4 overall seed to start the event, this team has already qualified for the national championships in 18 Open following their 3rd place finish at the recent Windy City qualifier in Chicago as the highest finishing non-California team. They feature some big arms led by middle [player_tooltip player_id='114513' first='Eloise' last='Brandewie'] (Ohio State) and pins [player_tooltip player_id='114523' first='Ella' last='Durham'] (San Diego) and <strong>Kaleigh Palmer</strong> (Alabama), all of who contribute point scoring and to one of the best collections of size and length of any team. [player_tooltip player_id='141703' first='Callie' last='Kasun'] is an uncommitted defensive specialist with solid skills and experience as she had a terrific final varsity season for Bishop Watterson this past fall, leading to a 1st Team all-league selection. This team has good depth and versatility to shift their attackers around without losing much production. Look for them to challenge well once again among a high performing collection of teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>AVC CLE 18 Red</em></strong><br>As the highest placing OVR team in the recent Central Zone Invitation with a 3rd place finish, this team shines when their ball control and defense are developing quality opportunities in the transition phase as they can play with good tempo and through some pig pin arms. They are the #8 overall seed and feature the a quality pin corps in [player_tooltip player_id='114557' first='Alayna' last='Tessena'] (Northern Colorado), [player_tooltip player_id='114532' first='Kira' last='Holland'] (Indiana State), and the dynamic and athletic [player_tooltip player_id='114531' first='Nia' last='Hall'] (Cleveland State). Setter [player_tooltip player_id='141694' first='Lauren' last='Yacobucci'] (Wright State) has had a solid prep career and will once again lead and orchestrate a high potential offense. They have the tools to compete well and stay among the top tier teams through the final day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>NKYVC 18-1 Tsunami</em></strong><br>This is a team that is still trying to find their identity early this club season following the addition of two new middles ([player_tooltip player_id='141723' first='Sarah' last='Newberry']/Lewis; [player_tooltip player_id='207238' first='Josie' last='Schroder']/ Wheeling) that have potential to elevate their production in this phase of the game from a season ago. They finished 5th at Central Zones this past weekend with some big-time offense from left side [player_tooltip player_id='106678' first='Sydney' last='Nolan'] (North Carolina) as she was seemingly determined at times to carry her team through the high volume of opportunities she saw. She has tools to get up and over opposing blocks and terminate with range but they will need more balance to relieve her a bit. [player_tooltip player_id='141697' first='Ava' last='Siefke'] (Eastern Michigan) is one that can provide that support as she still is finding her groove as a six-rotation left side. She has all the skills to make the impact they need. They are seeding #11 to start the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[program_tooltip program_id='431827' first='[program_tooltip program_id='431827' first='Elevation' last='']' last=''] 18-1 Spinney</em></strong><br>This team also finished tied for 5th place in Indy at Central Zones, which included a three-set loss to NKYVC. Kentucky-bound middle [player_tooltip player_id='114516' first='Brooke' last='Bultema'] is one of the most dynamic and physical middles in this event and will certainly get her opportunities to if this team can create them with their serve receive and defense. [player_tooltip player_id='141725' first='Lindsey' last='Green'] (Ball State) is one of the best setters of recent classes in Ohio and can develop a good balance of opportunities for all of her attackers. It is their consistency and ability to produce through minimum errors that will be critical to their success. Look for [player_tooltip player_id='141722' first='Audrey' last='Armbruster'] (Clemson), [player_tooltip player_id='114543' first='Ninah' last='Miranda'] (Lipscomb), and [player_tooltip player_id='141693' first='Nicole' last='Sargent'] (North Alabama) to see the bulk of the swings on the pins. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Top Seeded Teams &amp; Contenders:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1</strong> A5 18-March (Southern Region)<br><strong>#2</strong> Metro 18 Travel (Chesapeake Region)<br><strong>#3</strong> 1st Alliance 18 Gold (Great Lakes Region)<br><strong>#5</strong> Triangle 18 Black (Carolina Region)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->