17-Under standouts at Pioneer Region Tournament
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Five teams participated in this group. NKYVC 17-1 Tsunami finished undefeated at 4-0 to take the National Bid. NKYVC 17-2 finished 3-1 to take the American Bid in the Pioneer National Tournament in Las Vegas in July. Southern Kentucky Elite…
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Continue ReadingFive teams participated in this group.
NKYVC 17-1 Tsunami finished undefeated at 4-0 to take the National Bid. NKYVC 17-2 finished 3-1 to take the American Bid in the Pioneer National Tournament in Las Vegas in July. Southern Kentucky Elite Volleyball Academy finished 2-2 beating NKYVC 17-3 Typhoon in the final game of the day to take the Freedom Bid in Las Vegas.
Here are some of the players that stood out at the tournament at the Town and Country Athletic Center in Wilder.
Hart has an explosive delivery on her swings. Hart can hit both middle and outside to a number of different spots on the court. She will smack the ball down hard if opponents overpass to her in the middle. The Liberty University commit led McCracken County to a solid 27-12 season, a 1st Region crown and spot in the state quarterfinals recording a team-high 480 kills.
Highlights
Sears showed why she is committed to the University of Houston in this tournament. Sears can smack the ball past hitters hitting the ball all over the court including the far left corner and opposite side of the court. Sears can smack it down at both the pins and the middle of the net. Sears led Logan County with 595 kills and has a similar role in club ball. Sears also controls the net well evidenced by 29 assisted blocks and 18 solo blocks and is a good server evidenced by 107 aces that helped the Cougars to a 25-13 record, a 13th District crown, 4th Region championship and a state quarterfinal appearance.
Nelson showed a lot of inspiration to her club teammates at the tournament. She makes good passes to help hitters put balls down. Nelson also reads opposing hitters well going after balls evidenced by 497 digs for Central Hardin this past fall. Nelson also has an impact serving with 78 aces helping the Bruins to a 36-5 record to go with 17th District and 5th Region championships.
Ott has been a steady setter since coming up to varsity as a sophomore for state power Notre Dame in 2022. Ott makes a number of nice sets at various angles putting hitters in great position to hammer down balls. Ott constantly has three hitting options and listens to teammates when they tell her where to put the ball. Ott has developed a setter dump this club season to the shallow middle and shallow side courts. Ott also makes nice passes on digs. Ott finished with 710 assists, 216 digs and 38 aces this past year helping Notre Dame to another 35th District and 9th Region crown then a state runner-up finish.
Highlights
Griffin is turning into a nice all-around player. Griffin goes after every ball as hard as she can. She also reads opposing defenses putting hitters in good position, can smack the ball when needed and has a good serve. Griffin had 207 kills, 143 assists, 276 digs and 45 aces helping Ryle to a 24-13 record, another 33rd District championship and spot in the 9th Region semifinals.
O’Brien has become a force for Walton-Verona and her club team for a number of reasons. O’Brien has excellent timing on her blocking and has a nice hard line shot. O’Brien can also go to the opposite lines if necessary because she does a great job reading defenses. Is not afraid to take some steam off balls in order to place them in the right spots. O’Brien had 198 kills, 12 solo blocks, 302 digs and 82 aces to help Walton-Verona to a 17-18 record, which was a nine-game improvement from the previous year, and an All “A” 8th Region title.
Venard emerged as one of the best setters in the Girls Greater Catholic League for a big reason last fall for St. Ursula. Venard can set to a number of positions. She has an impressive back set to keep defenses off-balance. Finished second the Girls GCL with 940 assists last year, helping St. Ursula to an 18-8 record and a Division I region final finish.
Highlights
Grace is another one on the list of great liberos to come out of Notre Dame Academy evidenced with a verbal commitment to Xavier University where her sister Emma currently plays. She goes corner to corner never taking a play off. Grace does whatever it takes to square her arms to balls making sure the passes go to the setters in the front row. Grace also sets a good number of balls and has a great serve. Grace finished with an impressive 487 digs, 114 assists and 48 aces to help Notre Dame to another 35th District and 9th Region crown then a state runner-up finish.
Highlights
Goetz has been an unsung hero for Notre Dame these past two years doing a lot of things necessary to help the Pandas and her club teams win. Goetz is a huge force on double blocks. She showed a powerful shot from the back row on Sunday and hits a great serve near the line making opponents cover ground to track it down. Goetz led Notre Dame with 73 assisted blocks to go with 11 solo blocks, 42 aces and 174 kills this past year helping the Pandas to their third state title game in four years.
Highlights
Blackburn is learning how to use her 6-3 size to her advantage. Blackburn swings down hard on balls and deceives opponents with various tips. Blackburn is powerful on blocks as opponents often direct balls high and wide trying to avoid her.