The Mitten Report at Mid-East Qualifiers 2023 (2/2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Indianapolis was on fire this weekend! A huge reason for what sparked the fire came from the talent traveling from Indiana's neighbor to the north. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michigan was well-represented this past weekend at the Mid-East Qualifiers. One of the biggest tournaments of the season, and it did not disappoint. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at some of the top teams to come out of the Mitten state this past weekend at MEQs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>17 Open</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Legacy 17-1 Adidas vs Michigan Elite 17 Mizuno</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one was an absolute brawl. When I saw this match-up lined up after Day 2, I had to get front row seats for this one. These two teams have a lot of history between them. As the two have traded some players throughout the years. Former Elite players such as MB [player_tooltip player_id='153677' first='Taya' last='Nordmann'] and OH [player_tooltip player_id='110293' first='Mia' last='Eickholdt'], now play for Legacy, meanwhile former Legacy player MB [player_tooltip player_id='110328' first='Johanna' last='Tillman'], now plays for Elite. It was intense and it came down to the wire. What a fun match</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Right off the bat, Michigan Elite was in total control of the first set. The serving pressure Elite had on Legacy was strong and was doing big things. But, up 23-20, an epic come from behind run from Legacy sparked by the play of OPP [player_tooltip player_id='176600' first='Kate' last='Maley'] was all Legacy needed before taking the opener, 24-26. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":170148,"width":222,"height":243,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/12/84-Allison-Pilat.jpg?w=934" alt=" [player_tooltip player_id='153663' first='Allison' last='Pilat']" class="wp-image-170148" width="222" height="243" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"> [player_tooltip player_id='153663' first='Allison' last='Pilat']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the second set, it was almost a mirrored story. After Elite shot out to a lead to start, Legacy had control of the entire set. Up until it was match point, 20-24. This is where I saw a star be born in OH [player_tooltip player_id='153663' first='Allison' last='Pilat'] for Elite. I've always had big praise for Pilat, but never have I ever seen her take over a match the way she did in this moment. The next six points for Elite to secure a tiebreaker all came from the rocket launching of Pilat. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The third was a back and fourth affair with Legacy ultimately taking the match, 12-15 in the third. Arguably one of the best matches in the entire convention center. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alongside Maley, L [player_tooltip player_id='110299' first='Kiley' last='Gallagher'] and Nordmann had great outings as well. The two held it down on the defensive end for Legacy very well. Similarly for Elite, L [player_tooltip player_id='110301' first='Hailey' last='Green'] and S [player_tooltip player_id='110335' first='Avery' last='Woodard'] were digging machines, combining for over 30 digs in the three set battle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>18 Open</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Legacy 18-1 Adidas</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 18 Open was stacked with so many good teams. Legacy was one of the best out of the field, per usual. And for the first 2 days of MEQ, it looked like 18-1 was cruising their way to a top five finish and a bid, going undefeated up until the last match of Day 2. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Day 3 saw Legacy drop out of bid contention, it was still another top ten finish for this squad. Led by the usual suspects of recently committed OH <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='66314' first='Kennedy' last='Louisell'] </strong>(High Point) and MB [player_tooltip player_id='66291' first='Laurece' last='Abraham'] (Yale). These two were doing a big bulk of the point scoring for this team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":157916,"width":279,"height":183,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/09/DCD-Team.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-157916" width="279" height="183" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='66291' first='Laurece' last='Abraham']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Legacy looked a little different this weekend too, as they were without their starting libero, [player_tooltip player_id='66308' first='Kaitlyn' last='Hoffman']. Easily stepping in was <strong>Lexi Smith </strong>(Oakland), and she did really well filling in last minute.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>18 Premier</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Legacy 18-2 Adidas</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much like their 1s, 18-2 just narrowly missed out on a bid this weekend after a really good outing throughout the tournament. But nonetheless, this team still remains one of the best in the USA division.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>S [player_tooltip player_id='108718' first='Erin' last='Madigan'] (Arkansas State) was running the show for this squad and looking just as good as ever. Her location was spot on all weekend and she backs it up elite level blocking. Her go-to's, OH [player_tooltip player_id='108717' first='Katie' last='Smith'] (Wayne State) and [player_tooltip player_id='140494' first='Rachel' last='Zurek'] (Michigan Tech) were on fire too. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Five:1 18 Black</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sneaking into the top ten of the USA division was Five:1's top team, 18 Black. Similar to Legacy's team this team is led by a lot of future GLIAC superstars. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of those future superstars is the big gun for Five:1, OPP <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='173625' first='Cola' last='Sisk']</strong> (Saginaw Valley). The south paw was doing her usual business this weekend. OH <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='257624' first='Dani' last='Pohl']</strong> was also having a superb weekend on the left side. The two were firing off really well opposite each other and the team looked the best it has all season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->