2024 Club Preview: Legacy 16-2 Adidas

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Be sure to follow&nbsp;@lshotvb&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc">Tik Tok&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for all things volleyball!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>–</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After another incredible high school season, this club season is proving to be another big one for Michigan-based club teams. In 2023, we saw national champions be crowned as well as many top finishes from all ages from these prestigious clubs. It's time to look to the future and see what these clubs have in store for us in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now, onto the 16s age group. Let's take a look at Legacy and what they have going on with their 16-2 Adidas team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">16-2 Adidas</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='446705' first='Ava' last='Merlo'] - Orchard Lake St. Mary's </td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='261199' first='Morgin' last='Parsley'] - Walled Lake Northern</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='446706' first='Payton' last='Nelson'] - Lakeland</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='226942' first='Ashley' last='Verhey'] - Milford</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='226896' first='Madison' last='Geer'] - Frankenmuth</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='446708' first='Madeleine' last='Lock'] - Walled Lake Northern</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='226913' first='Abbigayl' last='Sells'] - Lake Fenton</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='226895' first='Jillian' last='Ferrill'] - Lake Fenton</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='446704' first='Alexa' last='Randle El'] - Detroit Country Day</td></tr><tr><td>[player_tooltip player_id='446700' first='Liliana' last='Gegovic'] - Utica Eisenhower</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='523816' first='Riley' last='Copenhaver'] - Brighton</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">HC: Larry Wyatt; AC: Ryleigh Jacobs</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming into the halfway point of the 2024 season and this group has amassed themselves quite the resume going into the second half. A Triple Crown outing under their belt and now, a top ten finish at Mideast Qualifiers, this group has done a total makeover from a season ago. Needless to say, it is paying off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Power on the Pins</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This group has quite the lethal bunch of pins to their disposal. With players that can interweave throughout positions, it gives plenty of options when needed. Leading the pins, and leading all in scoring, is [player_tooltip player_id='226895' first='Jillian' last='Ferrill']. This 6'1 player can make impact on either pin with her high contact point and mighty follow through. Alongside her, [player_tooltip player_id='226896' first='Madison' last='Geer'] is the high flying undersized cannon that gives this team that potent 1-2 punch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rounding out the quartet of hitters, Legacy has [player_tooltip player_id='226942' first='Ashley' last='Verhey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='446706' first='Payton' last='Nelson']. Both go head-to-head with that right side position and both can deliver a nasty punch. Verhey is a lefty with a lot of spark on the court. Nelson is another one, much like Ferrill, that can fill in on either pin to a high-effectiveness. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Middle Territory</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the middle, they continue to have big depth. With the late addition of [player_tooltip player_id='523816' first='Riley' last='Copenhaver'] in the early goings of the season from L2, she has proven to be a huge get. Immediately, Copenhaver made impact on this team. Speedy at the net, she closes the block super well and transitions to be a solid option for the put-away. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='446708' first='Madeleine' last='Lock'] and [player_tooltip player_id='446700' first='Liliana' last='Gegovic'] complete this trio of powerhouses in the middle. Both Lock and Gegovic are springy athletes with a lot of pop. The trio seem to be splitting time very well with one another given their similarities in the approach to the game. This does this team wonders with always having a fresh middle to come in off the bench and maintain the level of play at the net. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Deadly Defense</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yet again, another position where this team has a deep bench to go down. The defenders on this team have been doing solid work this season. Leading the way, [player_tooltip player_id='226913' first='Abbigayl' last='Sells'] has been the undisputed libero for quite sometime now. Sells brings a solid demeanor to the court and leads this team in tight situations. Alongside Sells, [player_tooltip player_id='446705' first='Ava' last='Merlo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='446704' first='Alexa' last='Randle El'] prove to be a pair of incredible impact DSs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Setting the Pace</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Running the show, Legacy calls upon [player_tooltip player_id='261199' first='Morgin' last='Parsley'] to do the honors. In her first season with the club, Parsley has been fitting in quite nicely and been running this teams' offense to some impressive finishes over the last few tournaments. With weapons to her disposal, Parsley is always timely with what arm to feed at the perfect moment. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->