Three OVR Teams Set to Take On 18 Open Field

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With 300+ teams set to compete this weekend in Columbus, OH at the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships, it is the 18U age group that is the focus. Seven divisions will crown national champions. Here are some of Ohio's top teams competing this weekend in the 18 Open field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>18 Open</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mintonette m.81 - #10 seed</strong><br>This is the one team in Ohio that has the best depth to challenge for a podium finish. Led by the elite skills of middle [player_tooltip player_id='114513' first='Eloise' last='Brandewie']. She is arguably the best at her position in this class as the future Ohio State Buckeye plays well above the net on both sides of the ball. The depth at the pins involves size, power, finesse, and great experience. On the right side we should see a lot of [player_tooltip player_id='141701' first='Lauryn' last='Bowie'] and <strong>Kaleigh Palmer</strong>, both capable of scoring and putting up a big block. On the left side is [player_tooltip player_id='114523' first='Ella' last='Durham'], who also brings length and range. [player_tooltip player_id='141696' first='Ava' last='Hoying'] contributes point scoring and ball control. [player_tooltip player_id='141690' first='Jonna' last='Spohn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='141691' first='Kayla' last='Dulgar'] are the floor leaders as libero and setter respectively. If this team has their ball control in order and can minimize errors, they have potential to be very competitive throughout the event. Their first opponent is Northern Lights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AVC CLE 18 Red - #19 seed</strong><br>[player_tooltip player_id='141694' first='Lauren' last='Yacobucci'], one of the best setters in this class in Ohio, is the key catalyst with her leadership and control of their offense. She has a good arsenal of offensive weapons around the floor and her ability to create a balanced attack will create opportunities for this team. As they may not have the one elite attacker they can rely one any time they need a point, they do have high potential point scoring options at all positions. [player_tooltip player_id='114557' first='Alayna' last='Tessena'] and [player_tooltip player_id='114531' first='Nia' last='Hall'] are two of their better arms on the power side of the court. As Allie Bedrick and [player_tooltip player_id='114508' first='Sophia' last='Anghilante'] provide good presence in the middle, [player_tooltip player_id='197516' first='Sydney' last='Wake'] and [player_tooltip player_id='141695' first='Lauren' last='Janosy'] have the ability to help balance the floor from the right side. [player_tooltip player_id='114535' first='Laney' last='Klika'] has quickness and range in her ball control and defense to create quality offensive opportunities. They open play on Friday versus Mizuno Long Beach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elevation 18 Spinney - #20 seed</strong><br>This is a team that found more of their competitive identity by mid-season with good success to earn their open-level bid and prepare for the biggest stage. Kentucky-bound middle [player_tooltip player_id='114516' first='Brooke' last='Bultema'] is the backbone of their offense and defense at the net. She has all the offensive tools to score from a variety of locations around the setter and will need her pin hitting teammates to score to help create space for her to go to work. A few arms that can make that happen include [player_tooltip player_id='141693' first='Nicole' last='Sargent'], [player_tooltip player_id='141721' first='Campbell' last='Robinson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='153896' first='Erin' last='Gonzalez']. Robinson along with [player_tooltip player_id='141722' first='Audrey' last='Armbruster'] have good versatility in their skills to contribute in a variety of ways as Robinson can impact the game in the middle or at the right pin and Armbruster with her arm or in the setting phase. [player_tooltip player_id='141725' first='Lindsey' last='Green'], another top setter in this Ohio class and Ball State commit, will need to be at her best in her decision making and location to help her offense produce at a high rate against the best 18U teams in the country. They take on Madfrog to start the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->