Qualifier Season: 18 Open MLK Kansas City

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Qualifier season is here and though we haven't gotten to our club previews yet, we will dabble in a little as we prepare for the first qualifier for many teams this weekend in Kansas City. Today, we will look at the Missouri and Kansas teams competing for bids in the open division. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='430200' first='KC' last='[program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last='']'] 18 Black will be in Pool 2 when play starts tomorrow. They return a strong nucleus in [player_tooltip player_id='119693' first='Janelle' last='Green'], [player_tooltip player_id='153937' first='Alea' last='Goolsby'], and [player_tooltip player_id='119708' first='Rachel' last='Van Gorp'] and welcome [player_tooltip player_id='119704' first='Cy' last='Rae Campbell'] over from [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last='']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''], they are in Pool 3 and will look a lot different with a handful of players deciding to venture off to college early or stay down with their age group (17s) this club season. Look for [player_tooltip player_id='261103' first='Ava' last='Anderson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='150067' first='Heidi' last='Devers'] as key players this weekend as they chase a bid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pohaku 18-1 will start their play in the fourth pool on Saturday morning. Alexis Alexander and [player_tooltip player_id='201027' first='Jada' last='Ingram'] are a solid combination in the middle and [player_tooltip player_id='119689' first='Ava' last='Martin'] has been a mainstay for this team since their creation a few years back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] 18 Elite will journey down I-70 and will play in one of two three-team pools. They return many of their players that have been together since their 15's season such as libero [player_tooltip player_id='124215' first='Olivia' last='Hasbrook'] and attackers [player_tooltip player_id='124222' first='Allison' last='Risley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='153929' first='Maya' last='Witherspoon']. They loaded up by adding another setter and hitter to their roster. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Joining Rockwood in Pool 5 is Missouri Jrs. 18 Blue. They are an experienced team with numerous all-state players on their team. Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='150051' first='Hannah' last='Vogt'], [player_tooltip player_id='124226' first='Autumn' last='Bax'], and Isabella Herrbold. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out the teams representing Kansas and Missouri are Mavs KC 18-1 and [program_tooltip program_id='428820' first='Team' last='Momentum'] 18 Navy. The Mavs are another team that mixed strong returning players with some new faces to build what should be a competitive team this 18's season. [player_tooltip player_id='152834' first='Remi' last='Nuss'] and Kesley Schenck are back for their final season and they welcome [player_tooltip player_id='124853' first='Mikalah' last='Davis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='172456' first='Fisayo' last='Afonja'] to the front line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428820' first='Team' last='Momentum'] had a good season last year and will look to build on that in 2024. [player_tooltip player_id='150044' first='Kylie' last='Surratt'] and Caite Woolf had strong falls for their respective high schools and look for Abbey Fruend to be a contributor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->