USAV and AES Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first time I introduced the USAV rankings via AES, things were getting started. After numerous qualifiers now having taken place, let's see where we stand at the end of March. Reminder, the only events taken into consideration for these rankings are those sanctioned by USA Volleyball. AES includes tournaments and events inputted by coaches and directors not sanctioned by USA Volleyball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">USAV Rankings</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>18U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] 18 Elite</strong> is the highest-ranked Missouri team, coming in at 14 with a 34-12 record. They have multiple top-three finishes in qualifiers this year behind the play of [player_tooltip player_id='124216' first='Claire' last='Morrissey'], [player_tooltip player_id='153933' first='Jordan' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='124222' first='Allison' last='Risley'], and [player_tooltip player_id='153929' first='Maya' last='Witherspoon'] on the pins. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mizuno Club North 18 Ang</strong> shows up in the mix at 28. In their most recent qualifier MEQ, they had a 5th-place finish in the USA division. This finish allowed them to upgrade their previously earned bid. [player_tooltip player_id='152821' first='Lauren' last='Wright'] has been stellar in the setter position. They have a 29-11 record in the rankings. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final team to highlight in the 30th position is <strong>Pohaku 18-1</strong> with a 19-9 record. They traveled to Boston and returned with an Open bid. Alexis Alexander of Blue Springs South represents Missouri on this team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The lone team cracking the top 30 in the 17s is <strong>[program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] 17 Elite</strong>. We discussed them recently as they prepare for their next qualifier this weekend. They come in with a 27-12 record in the 16th spot. [player_tooltip player_id='174407' first='Mandy' last='Lawson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='174285' first='Avery' last='Helms'] are a couple of defensive standouts on this team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>15U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428799' first='Rockwood' last='Thunder'] 15 Elite is in the 21st spot in the USAV rankings at 30-17. They have a host of players capable of having big plays with [player_tooltip player_id='489915' first='Hannah' last='Garrett'], [player_tooltip player_id='485604' first='Jayla' last='Williams'], and [player_tooltip player_id='512874' first='Olivia' last='Cox']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">AES [program_tooltip program_id='428794' first='Power' last=''] Rankings</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dynasty 17 Black</strong> enters the chat in the AES rankings at 14. Their inserted record holds at 27-8. They were just outside of the bid range at MEQ, finishing 5th. Liberty product [player_tooltip player_id='153930' first='Abigail' last='Mullen'] is a key factor in this team's success on the pins and defensively at the net. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->