MVA 17 Black 2023 Club Profile

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the 2023 club season continues to motor on, MVA has a lot of high hopes for its 17 Black squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a solid balance of athletic hitters and ball-control defenders, MVA is a group that wants to find success at the Premier level of play throughout the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at what MVA is offering up this winter and spring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>MVA 17 Black</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This year's team will be coached by Abby Aiken and features nine players from the Class of 2024 and one member of the Class of 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hitting should be a strength for this squad. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='176597' first='Sophia' last='Allen']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110333' first='Izzy' last='Whittaker'] </strong>join <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='156337' first='Layla' last='Visser'] </strong>as the outside options for this squad. All are coming off big prep seasons to carry momentum into the club year. The trio have a nice mix of length and explosiveness. Whittaker is a 6'1” power arm while Visser can jump 10'4”, and Allen has the all-around skills to excel around the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the middle, <strong>Arianna Black </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='176602' first='Samantha' last='Clemens']</strong> have a lot of quickness at the position and have a good feel for the pace of play. <strong>Melina Teunis </strong>is a middle option that can also shift to the right side. She brings another 6-foot option to the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110324' first='Grace' last='Spoelma'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110284' first='Hanna' last='Bredeweg']</strong> are two reliable setters that have the full confidence of the team when they are on the floor. Both have great control with the ball and also are standout defenders that add to an already strong defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the back row, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110322' first='Taylor' last='Smaka']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110290' first='Hope' last='Davies'] </strong>will be a big asset for this squad as well. They have the grit and quickness to extend rallies and help MVA outlast opponents. Their ball control allows the squad to overcome some of their lack of size against other top opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>MVA opened is season by placing third in the 17 Premier of the JVA Rock ‘N Rumble. That was an event that saw the team placed against the right level of competition. They played in three three-set matches and eight of their 15 sets were decided by five points or less.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They followed that up with a ninth-place finish in the 17 Premier Red of the Central Zone Invitational. Next weekend gives them a chance to show their growth in the President's Day Classic in St. Louis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->