Qualifier season is here and the hunt for a bid is getting fiercer and fiercer. 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…
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Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log inQualifier season is here and the hunt for a bid is getting fiercer and fiercer.
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!
Let’s take a look at some of the top match-ups to watch on Day 1 of MEQs in the 17 Open Division.
Pool 1: A5 vs. NKYVC
Starting off the 18 Open pools right, we have both A5 and NKYVC, the top two seeds in this pool. A5 is one of the top teams in the country. They’re tough as nails with OH Jurnee Robinson (LSU) and S Rebecca Watkins (James Madison). This connection is undeniable when in action. NKYVC will have their hands full, but I think they can give A5 a real scare on Day 1. Led by North Carolina bound, 6’4 OH Sydney Nolan, Nolan is going to be on her A-game in this match.
Pool 5: Circle City vs. Michigan Elite vs. CUVC
Pool 5 could really be anyone’s game. Some may have written off Circle City with the graduation of
Chloe Chicoine
Chloe
Chicoine
5'9" | OH
McCutcheon | 2023
State
#1
Nation
IN
, but they made a pretty loud statement after winning Central Zone in January, this team is good. CUVC is a double qualified team for USAV nationals in April. Then there’s Michigan Elite, a team that’s been riding an incomplete roster for the bulk of its schedule thus far… Not this weekend though.
Circle City has made some pretty stout statements in the season thus far and are easily the top seed in this pool. They got some pretty nice pieces in both the front and back court.
Molly Urban
Molly
Urban
5'4" | DS/L
Martinsville | 2023
State
#122
Nation
IN
(Louisville) and
Ella Hemmings
Ella
Hemmings
5'6" | DS/L
Brownsburg | 2023
State
IN
(LSU) are an incredible one-two punch in the back court. Meanwhile
Quinci Thomas
Quinci
Thomas
6'3" | OH
Brownsburg | 2023
State
#138
Nation
IN
(Xavier) and
Ava Smith
Ava
Smith
6'1" | OH
Park Tudor | 2023
State
#121
Nation
IN
(Florida Gulf Coast) hold it down at the net.
For CUVC, they’re led by L Elizabeth McElveen (South Carolina) and OH Hailey Pearce (Virginia Tech). The duo bring this team a lot of top notch ball control and Pearce is a go-to weapon in this CUVC offense.
On Michigan Elite’s side of the net, this is the first weekend they will be fully manned since their opening weekend at the Munciana Power League. Young pup Victoria Gray will make her grand, qualifier debut in Indianapolis. The sophomore’s presence alone is a game-changer. At 6’2, she brings a stout block and puts the ball away with the best of them. With Gray in the middle, this can bring UT Sawyer Jones out to a pin, where she’ll shine even brighter. I wouldn’t want to sleep on this team.
Pool 6: AVC CLE vs. MKE Sting
Rounding out the first half of the pools on day 1, this match-up in pool 6 is going to be another fun one to keep an eye on. AVC CLE is a tough team out of Cleveland with a lot talent on their bench. This squad is led by Wright State bound S Lauren Yacobucci. Yacobucci runs a really clean offense. On the opposite side of the net, she’ll be met with another elite setter in Lily Wagner (Maryland). Wagner is one of the top prospects in the 2024 class playing up a year to fill in for injuries. Wagner has yet to disappoint.
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