MEQ Day 1 Must See Match-Ups: 17 Open (Pt. 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Qualifier season is here and the hunt for a bid is getting fiercer and fiercer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mid-East Qualifiers is the place to be this weekend with some of the best talent from around the country, not just the Mid-East. Weekend 1 will hold host to the 16s through 18s age group. Temps outside are calling for a chillier weekend, but the Indianapolis Convention Center is going to be RED HOT!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at some of the top match-ups to watch on Day 1 of MEQs in the 17 Open Division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Pool 8: Rockwood Thunder vs. EliteVBTC vs. Circle City</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Man, is this pool going to be a tough one! I could easily see any three of these teams coming out with the top seed going into Day 2. Each team is well-equipped with their share of big hitters and defensive dandies. You may see me lingering around court 47 for a little while. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":333962,"width":242,"height":161,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/DSC00025.jpg?w=1024" alt="Jordan Smith" class="wp-image-333962" width="242" height="161" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Jordan Smith</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rockwood Thunder may be young, but these young pups are big and mighty! Led by S <strong>Morgan Dumm</strong>, she's joined by fellow '25s, OH <strong>Maya Witherspoon</strong> and OPP <strong>Jordan Smith</strong>. This trio goes a long way for Thunder's 17 squad and are well proven to be able to hang with the best. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>EliteVBTC has themselves recent Florida commit, <strong>Alec Rothe</strong>. It's hard to miss her on the court, but she can be found just about anywhere. Need a middle? She's there. Six rotations? Of course. Rothe is an emotional and physical leader for this squad and will be big in the fight for a top seed going into day 2. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Circle City is without their Louisville bound, six rotation outside hitter, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110503' first='Ava' last='Utterback']</strong>, but don't let this team fool you. They can get it done with or without Utterback. While this team isn't the biggest on the court, they have some top level ball control and is a team full of craftiness in their attacks. Look out for <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110489' first='Alexis' last='Maesch'] </strong>on this team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Pool 10: Skyline vs. AVC Cle</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This match truly could go either way on paper. It'll be exciting to see who comes out on top. Skyline is led by a trio of mid-major commits with the likes of OH <strong>Reagan Bedell </strong>(North Texas) and <strong>Lauren Perry </strong>(UTEP). The two can pack a punch. On the opposite side of the tape, AVC CLE has themselves a pretty tough group. With the tough ball control and shots coming off of <strong>Julia Sprecher </strong>(LSU-Beach) and recent addition S <strong>Hannah Pattie </strong>(Campbell). This match could easily go the distance and be a fun showdown on day 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":192345,"width":163,"height":205,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/04/Lola-Davila-e1651018471143.jpg?w=814" alt="Lola Davila" class="wp-image-192345" width="163" height="205" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lola Davila</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Pool 11: Alamo vs. Boiler Juniors</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alamo may be seeded first in this pool, but they got themselves a pretty tough foe in Boiler Juniors. I got to watch Juniors at Central Zones at the beginning of the season, and they're one tough team to battle with. This match is going to be the game of the 'bros. Both sides are equipped with some of the best that this group has to offer. For Alamo, <strong>Lola Davila</strong> is a workhorse in the back court, a scrappy defender. For Juniors, <strong>Bella Humphrey</strong> (Auburn) is top tier. She's a solid receiver with a high IQ on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->