Day One Impressions at MEQ

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong style="font-size: revert;color: initial;font-family: var(--wp--preset--font-family--system-fonts)">[program_tooltip program_id='430852' first='Tri-State' last='Elite'] 18 Blue Dominant</strong><span style="font-size: revert;color: initial;font-family: var(--wp--preset--font-family--system-fonts)">Not only one of the best teams in Ohio, this squad is proving to be one of the most efficient and fundamentally sound nationally. They swept through their three matches on the first day of 18 Open play without losing a set and only giving up greater than 15 points in one frame. The top seed in this event, they are playing with confidence and good depth of offense from pin to pin. Bradley commit [player_tooltip player_id='114574' first='Maria' last='Drapp'] is the floor leader that controls their offense through good decisions and getting high quality options for her attackers. [player_tooltip player_id='114600' first='Faith' last='Young'] has some of this team's biggest power as the Western Kentucky commit can bring big pace that is tough to defend given her ability to score through a variety of locations and tempos. One of the biggest bright spots is their middle action specifically with </span><strong style="font-size: revert;color: initial;font-family: var(--wp--preset--font-family--system-fonts)">[player_tooltip player_id='208852' first='Anna' last='Guard']</strong><span style="font-size: revert;color: initial;font-family: var(--wp--preset--font-family--system-fonts)">. She is fluid, elevates well and can score through a variety of options. [player_tooltip player_id='114590' first='Kelsey' last='Niesen'] in the libero jersey provides a lot of stability in the first touch aspects, which is an area this team excels and fuels their big offense. They started day 2 with two consecutive sweeps and look like a heavy favorite deep into the final day bracket.</span></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Individual Performers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='198240' first='Cara' last='Riley'] - ECV<br>Riley was a bright spot for her team in 17 USA as she showcased often her serve receive skills with good movement, angles, and efficiency. She reacts well to the ball and is simple in her pursuit which found her team is system a lot which created good opportunities for their core group of hitters. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='151989' first='Sofia' last='Smotek'] - ECV<br>Smotek is one of the best arms on this team. She is a confident attacker that wants the ball, which is evident in how she works to make herself available. She is savvy in the air as she can generate good power while showing an aggressive move to contact and swing with arm control cross body or to simply challenge the hands or find space in the defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='176092' first='Rainey' last='Weidman'] - [program_tooltip program_id='431827' first='Elevation' last='']<br>The libero for one of Ohio's top 17U teams, Weidman helped guide this group to a solid first day in 17 Open. They finished 3-0 with just one set loss. The quality of Weidman's action and impact is tangible when considering how well this team can score offensively, especially in the transition phase. She prepares with good balance and reads the court well which allows her to defend with good range and quality touches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='152056' first='Ally' last='Hughes'] - [program_tooltip program_id='431827' first='Elevation' last='']<br>Hughes came over to this [program_tooltip program_id='431827' first='Elevation' last=''] team this season with great prep experience and setting skills. Her presence has given this team a big boost as they have high point scoring potential anywhere on the net. Her floor direction and leadership helps balance their point scoring through multiple arms that makes this group tough to defend collectively. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->