What Teams Are In The Hunt To Bag a Bid To Close March?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are heavy into qualifier season where we have teams across the country looking to punch their ticket to USAV Nationals to Chicago. Atlanta, St. Louis, Kansas City, the traveling circus (I mean that in a great way) continues. I'll be off this weekend and gearing up for Windy City the following weekend. Based on what I have seen so far this season, here is what I think the crystal ball is saying for teams who could be in the hunt for an open bid. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":362038,"width":410,"height":273,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/DSC09973-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-362038" width="410" height="273"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Momentous VBC 17-Dan</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Event - Big South </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This squad out of Southern California will be taking the trip across the country to take on some of the top teams out of the Southeast and beyond.&nbsp; Big South in Atlanta is attracting teams from all across the country.&nbsp; I was able to see this team at Triple Crown and they have all of the makings to be an open level team.&nbsp; One athlete to definitely keep tabs on is [player_tooltip player_id='159533' first='Isabel' last='Clark'] who is a volleyball and basketball standout.&nbsp; She has the power, finesse, a unique ability to really take over a match in multiple ways.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another team to keep tabs on at Big South is NKYVC 17 Tsunami.  They won Triple Crown, but are still looking to punch their ticket to 17 Open. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":333960,"width":398,"height":265,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/DSC00014.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-333960" width="398" height="265"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Rockwood Thunder 17 Elite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Event - Show Me </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was able to see this team quite a bit at Triple Crown and saw them again at MEQ.  There isn't much weakness on this team where they are led by a really solid first contact by Ohio State commit [player_tooltip player_id='124215' first='Olivia' last='Hasbrook'] at libero.  They have a trifecta of attackers in Mizzou commit Claire Morrissey and 2025s [player_tooltip player_id='153933' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='153929' first='Maya' last='Witherspoon'].  When this team is in system, they really spread it out along the front row, the defense can't cheat on anyone with how they are able to spread the ball from pin to pin.  They had success last time they were in KC, lets see if they can do it again. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":189779,"width":403,"height":268,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/04/DSC04685.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-189779" width="403" height="268"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Six Pack 17-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Events - Show Me</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Louisville commit [player_tooltip player_id='168149' first='Payton' last='Petersen'] and Northern Iowa commit [player_tooltip player_id='168150' first='Jadyn' last='Petersen'] were coming off a state basketball title when this team competed at MEQ two weeks ago.  This team has had some more time to gel and could be dangerous at Show Me this weekend where they are real solid across the board.  [player_tooltip player_id='168172' first='Isabelle' last='Elliott'] is another Northern Iowa commit who had a huge high school season leading the state in kills.  Her athleticism and physicality is tough to stop.  An uncommitted prospect out of the Class of 2024 to keep tabs on who can set and swing is [player_tooltip player_id='168160' first='Gabby' last='Lombardi'] who has a lot of length and all around ability. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":362027,"width":399,"height":266,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/DSC01630.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-362027" width="399" height="266"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Northern Lights 16-1 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Event - Show Me </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team was so, so close to getting their open bid this past weekend at the Northern Lights qualifier in Minneapolis.  They had some huge wins over Sting, Excel, Nebraska Elite, and Nebraska Premier.  The bid came down to a tiebreaker with a one set playoff to Nebraska Premier where they lost 15-13.  They will be hungry to get back at it in Kansas City where they have a really solid lineup all the way around.  Very little weakness.  [player_tooltip player_id='211521' first='Reese' last='Axness'] has been a huge pick up for this team in the offseason where she is rising to be a top setter in the Class of 2025 from Minnesota.  Two attackers to watch would be [player_tooltip player_id='117880' first='Mesaiya' last='Bettis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='229827' first='Kate' last='Holthaus'] who can score a lot of points and are extremely dynamic. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":362026,"width":392,"height":286,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/DSC01740-e1680212324648.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-362026" width="392" height="286"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dynasty 15 Black </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Event - Show Me </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This team was a lot of fun to watch at Northern Lights last weekend where they advanced to day three gold pools.  Like most Dynasty teams, they rely on a lot of ball control and tempo.  Sydni Lafasciasno is an absolutely electric six rotation outside hitter who can score in multiple ways.  Setter, [player_tooltip player_id='222090' first='Alayna' last='Vaeth'] runs a great offense where she is always cool, calm, and collected putting her attackers in the best spot to terminate. Another 2026 athlete who has an extremely high ceiling is [player_tooltip player_id='222097' first='Taylor' last='Stanley'].  She is long, athletic, can score from anywhere in the front row and can be an option out of the backrow as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":362025,"width":382,"height":254,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/03/DSC01834.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-362025" width="382" height="254"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Michio 15 National </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Event - MEQ </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michio 15s have definitely made their mark so far this season where they have been one of the top teams out of the Great Lakes Region.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='236692' first='Elle' last='Schara'] who preps at Crown Point in NW Indiana is an electric six rotation outside who takes a lot of swings and scores a lot of points.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='325496' first='Cassidy' last='Cage'] is a middle blocker who is real physical. The other side of the net needs to know where she is at, she can make an opposing outside hitter second guess their shot.&nbsp; There is a strong team chemistry with this group.&nbsp; The intangibles are tilted in a really positive favor and they have knocked off some strong teams such as NKYVC 15 Tsunami to advance to gold pools at NLQ last weekend.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->