HOA Bid Play: 17s and 18s

I'm a week late due to finishing up the 2026 Watch List features but I need to go back a week or so to highlight some of the players I saw in Lawrence at the Heart of America Region Bid Tournament. This was one of the last chances for some 18s to snatch a bid with nationals taking place in a few weeks. Again, I was in my officiating capacity but jotted some numbers and quick notes between sets and matches. Here are some players who caught my eye.   [player_tooltip player_id='342439' first='Kya' last='Johnson'] - Libero - 417 Juiniors   I'm about to make a heavy statement here...Johnson is one of the best liberos I've seen this year and I have watched a lot of volleyball. No player takes command on the court like her, and that's saying a lot. She is what you want in a libero, meaning she will work to get to every ball so setters can set and hitters can hit. She is vocal and the definition of a floor leader.   Sophia Gardner - Setter - 417 Juniors   I walked away highly impressed with the poise and play of Gardner. She displayed a high volleyball IQ and did a great job of running the offense. She looked very good setting the ball pin to pin on difficult sets and putting her hitters in one on one situations.   [player_tooltip player_id='335636' first='Aubrey' last='Kohl'] - Setter - Invasion 18-2   Kohl was terrific over the course of the weekend with her pace and decision-making. This was my first time seeing her live and she lived up to the play she delivered over the high school season with excellent sets and defense.   Shya Thompson - OH - THR33 17-1   What I liked the most about Thompson was her mixture of shots. On tight sets, she knew when to tip or go off of hands. On balls off the net, she made smart decisions on when to let it go versus roll shots. She scored some big points in the match I saw.   [player_tooltip player_id='119817' first='Alexis' last='Bittner'] - OH - Heights VBC   Bittner was very effective on the pin and scored a lot of points during the matches I was courtside for. She is another player who is smart in the attack. She brings a good punch behind her balls, something I underestimated myself due to her size but her swing is fierce and those balls get on you quickly.   [player_tooltip player_id='219951' first='Katja' last='Blanchat'] - MB - Heights VBC   Blanchat made big plays on the offensive and defensive sides of things. She put up a big block and was able to send back or get good touches on quite a few balls. On the offense, she has a high touch and uses good cuts to avoid the defense.   Morgan Foos - Libero - Heights VBC   Foos was lights out in her play. There were balls that came her way you just knew were going to ricochet and hit the wall but she sent them right back to her setter and allowed her numerous options with the set. She showed a good first step and was able to cover or get to quite a few short balls.   Addison Swart - RS - Topeka Elite 17-1   Swart had some big swings from the pin for a good Topeka Elite team. She was able to terminate clutch balls set her way to keep her team in the mix of some close matches.   [player_tooltip player_id='495676' first='Mayah' last='Pridgett'] - MB - Topeka Elite 17-1   The slide was effective for Pridgett in the match I officiated. She had good footwork and quickness, which allowed her to put down quite a few balls. Her block game was also on point, as she had some eye-opening blocks.   [player_tooltip player_id='214753' first='Kyla' last='Brandes'] - OH - Summit VBC 18-1   I don't say this often but I love the swag Brandes brings to the floor. She has the mindset of you aren't going to stop me and she backs it up with her play. She is a high flyer and has a cannon for an arm on the left pin.   Anna Herholz - Libero - Summit VBC 18-1   Herholz is really really good. She is another libero who will stand in front of a hot ball and not flinch in the process. She was also very good in the passing department.

I'm a week late due to finishing up the 2026 Watch List features but I need to go back a week or so to highlight some of the players I saw in Lawrence at the Heart of America Region Bid Tournament. This was one of the last chances for some 18s to snatch a bid with nationals taking place in a few weeks. Again, I was in my officiating capacity but jotted some numbers and quick notes between sets and matches. Here are some players who caught my eye.