Midwest Pre-National Tourney
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We had some tune-ups this weekend in Lawrence, KS with teams traveling from Colorado, Nebraska, and of course, Kansas and Missouri making the trek to knock some rust off before nationals. Here is a small recap on some of the…
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Continue ReadingWe had some tune-ups this weekend in Lawrence, KS with teams traveling from Colorado, Nebraska, and of course, Kansas and Missouri making the trek to knock some rust off before nationals. Here is a small recap on some of the players that caught my eye.
Chloe Elarton – Setter – Colorado Juniors 16 Shannon
Elarton was really solid from the setter position to start the day on Saturday. She ran a smooth offense and decision-making was elite. She was among one of the top setters I saw throughout the weekend.
Makena Parthen – MB – Colorado Juniors 16 Shannon
Size can take you far and if you add some skill you can be a difference maker. That’s what you have with the 6’5″ Parthen in the middle for this team. She provides a lot for this team offensively and defensively.
Alexis Alexander – MB – Pohaku 17-1
She was so good on the slide on day one in the 11 am match-up. She was able to score at will with a heavy arm. She gets up off the floor fast and displayed tremendous athleticism.
Ava Martin Ava Martin 5'10" | S Bishop Miege | 2024 State #77 Nation KS – Setter – Pohaku 17-1
Martin was impressive in the match I saw Saturday. She controlled the flow of the match with quick sets to the pins and putting them on the money.
Mia Tvrdy – MB – Premier Nebraska 17 Gold
Like with Alexander above, Tvrdy is a player who you noticed right away with her effortless movement around the court. She can appear unstoppable at times with her Power and jumping ability. She is also a force at the net defensively.
Lauren Medeck – OH – Premier Nebraska 17 Gold
The thing that impressed me most about Medeck is she wants the ball when her team needs a score. She has a great shot selection and is an alpha on the court.
Alea Goolsby Alea Goolsby 5'11" | OH St. Thomas Aquinas | 2025 State #36 Nation KS – OH – Power ‘] 17 Black
Like with Medeck, Goolsby wants it when her team needs to side out. She doesn’t waste and swing and puts something behind each attempt. She loves the two-ball down the middle and makes the defense pay.
Janelle Green Janelle Green 5'9" | S Blue Valley North | 2024 State #68 Nation KS – Setter – Power ‘] 17 Black
She really stood out to me on Sunday with her sets and handling of the ball. She is a leader on the court and her team vibes off of her effort and play.
Alayna Santel – OPP – HP Illinois 17 National
The southpaw was relentless from the right pin on Saturday scoring over and over again with tough line shots, efficient seam placement, and tooling the block. She was in a groove and you could see the confidence on each swing.
Olivia Hasbrook Olivia Hasbrook 5'9" | DS/L Eureka | 2024 State #56 Nation MO – Libero – Rockwood Thunder 17 Elite
She was lights out against Power ‘] on Sunday with her defense play. Almost as impressive were the numerous sets of her pins. She had quite a few overhead sets where she knew her placement on the 10-foot line and delivered them perfectly.
Maya Witherspoon Maya Witherspoon 5'11" | OH Lafayette | 2025 State #44 Nation MO – OH – Rockwood Thunder 17 Elite
Witherspoon was clutch in their match against Power from the left pin. She was fed often and delivered when her team needed her. She was also strong at the net getting her hands on quite a few swings.
Additional nuggets
Shout out to Reagan McGivern Reagan McGivern 6'3" | MB Hayden | 2025 State KS and maybe Madilynn Mitchell Madilynn Mitchell 5'10" | RS Jefferson City | 2025 State MO (memory slipped) from Mavs KC 16-1. They are the blueprint of what you want in line judges! High calls, great eye contact, and confidence in their calls! And an additional shout out to Power ‘] 17 Black for stepping up to officiate a match when no work team was assigned. That is the selfless behavior you love to see!