15 Day 1 WI & IL Standouts at USAV Nationals

<p>The 14s and 15s divisions of USAV Nationals have descended upon Chicago - and the Midwest teams are showing up. Many Illinois and Wisconsin teams are competing in the massive tournament at McCormick Place. I saw dozens of teams from Illinois and Wisconsin play today, and it was a blast. Seeing athletes excel on the court on the biggest stage is electric. Here are some standouts from Day 1 of USAV Nationals. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='490991' first='Camryn' last='Hughes'] - Middle - Chicago Elite 15 Elite</h2>   <p>Camryn is an impact middle with a huge presence on the court. She was aggressive on every ball that came over the net and was incredibly valuable on defense and offense. Camryn puts up a big block, moving from pin to pin to seal the net. She doesn't back down on offense and is aggressive. She was a go-to hitter today and had a great connection with her setter [player_tooltip player_id='490993' first='Isa' last='Hughes']. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='376307' first='Sierra' last='Geurts'] - Outside Hitter - 1W Bay 15 National </h2>   <p>Sierra is a 6-rotation pin hitter who is valuable in every rotation. She has a calm and confident demeanor on the court. She is a leader on the court. Sierra has a clean platform and is key on defense and serve receive. She takes solid swings out of both the front and back row. She is a go-to hitter on her team. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mary Kate Bradley - Setter - [program_tooltip program_id='432009' first='Sky' last='High'] Adidas 15 Black </h2>   <p>Mary Kate runs the court. She is incredibly talented as a setter and leader for her team. She moves the ball around quickly and efficiently. Mary Kate rarely made errors and put in huge hustle to set her team up for success. She never missed a beat and was reliable. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='510472' first='Sage' last='Christman'] - Libero - [program_tooltip program_id='431537' first='Midwest' last='Penguins'] 14 Black </h2>   <p>Sage is a calm and consistent libero. She plays simple, clean volleyball. Her read of opposing hitters is great, and she picks up a lot in coverage. Sage is disciplined in her movement and form. She is very valuable on serve receive and will never give up on a ball. She also puts up a consistent out-of-system set. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='376276' first='Morgan' last='Bentel'] - Libero - Madtown 15-1 National</h2>   <p>Morgan was so impressive as a leader. She is an energizer on the court and was always a positive force. She has a clean platform and huge hustle. Morgan is a libero who is newer on my radar, and she has been nothing but impressive so far in this tournament. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Margaret Kurpeikis - Outside Hitter - [program_tooltip program_id='431567' first='Adversity' last=''] G14 Adidas</h2>   <p>Margaret is an absolutely explosive pin hitter. She was one of the stand-out 2027s I saw today. Her approach is massive, and she utilizes every step to propel her toward a kill. Margaret was absolutely dominant on the court and a player to watch in this class. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='277433' first='Sydnee' last='Nelson'] - Outside Hitter - [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 15 Navy</h2>   <p>Sydnee could do no wrong today. She manufactured point after point. Her 6-rotation play was very impressive. From serve receive to offense, Syndee dominated on the court. She was ready to swing in every rotation. She is a powerhouse pin who is consistent, disciplined, and explosive. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='504430' first='Ella' last='Lindgren'] - Libero - [program_tooltip program_id='428591' first='FC' last='Elite'] 15 White</h2>   <p>Ella is a libero with a great platform. Whether she was on the run or putting up a free ball, Ella made dime passes. She made the toughest plays look easy and was all over the court. Her discipline made her successful on defense and serve receive. Ella ran the back row well and was a leader on day one of nationals. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='249678' first='Marlee' last='Sivak'] - Outside Hitter - Sting 15 Gold</h2>   <p>Marlee really stepped up for her team today. She was consistent in all six rotations and was one of the key point scorers for Sting. She passed well and had some momentum-changing kills. Marlee battled on every point and was a natural leader on the court. She did all the little things right, translating into a really solid day of play.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='284071' first='Chelsea' last='Poskocil'] - Outside Hitter - Sting 15 White </h2>   <p>Chelsea was a force to be reckoned with on the court today. She made huge defensive plays, reading opposing hitters with seeming ease. She was equally as valuable on offense. She takes big swings out of the front and back row and has a huge vertical. When Chelsea connects with her set, she is unstoppable. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='325505' first='Savanah' last='Weathers'] - Rightside Hitter - Michio Chicago 15 National</h2>   <p>Savanah was probably one of my favorite finds so far this tournament. She caught my eye right away. She is defensively strong out of the right front and in the back row as well. Her fight on the court was huge; no matter the play, she was a force on the court. She played all six rotations and with her energy and impact, I can see how it is hard to take her off the court. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='323932' first='Carolyn' last='Tarnow'] - Middle Hitter - 1st Alliance 15 Gold </h2>   <p>Carolyn was dominant on day 1 of USAV Nationals. She never missed a beat and has a near-perfect connection with setter [player_tooltip player_id='323925' first='Nikolija' last='Bulatovic']. From blocking to offense, her transition is consistent and fast. She makes herself available in every play and is one of the top middles in her class. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Peyton Heatherly - Setter - Lions 14-1 </h2>   <p>Peyton was the starting setter for Lions 14-1. This team is high-level and the roster is packed with talent. Peyton ran the show when she was in the back row and spread her offense well. She played right side in the front row and was key there as well. Peyton positively impacts nearly every play and is a player to watch. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='388454' first='Paige' last='Proefrock'] - Outside Hitter - I AM VBC 15 Red</h2>   <p>Paige is an athlete in the class of 2027 who is playing up an age division. She is explosive and gritty in all six rotations. Paige is a gamer who steps up in tough moments and is a leader on the court. She takes a big approach, has a huge vertical, and has a high, fast contact on the ball. She excels on defense and serve receive. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='491003' first='Lily' last='Goyer'] - Middle Hitter - Uno Girls 15 Elite</h2>   <p>Lily played as a 6-rotation middle, and it was impressive. She can swing across the net and has a high contact. Her serve receive and defense was impressive, and she made great contacts on the ball across the back row. Lily is new to my radar and an athlete who really caught my eye today. </p>

The 14s and 15s divisions of USAV Nationals have descended upon Chicago - and the Midwest teams are showing up. Many Illinois and Wisconsin teams are competing in the massive tournament at McCormick Place. I saw dozens of teams from Illinois and Wisconsin play today, and it was a blast. Seeing athletes excel on the court on the biggest stage is electric. Here are some standouts from Day 1 of USAV Nationals.