Opportunities for Ohio Teams in Ohio Valley 18 Open Qualifier

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With one of the first USAV GJNC national qualifiers specifically for 18U teams taking place in Columbus, OH this weekend, multiple Ohio prospects and teams stand a good chance of earning a coveted bid in the 18 Open division of USA Volleyball's national championships in April. Here's a reminder of the top 18U teams in Ohio competing in a small (15 teams) but competitive field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AVC 18 Red</strong> - Overall #2 Seed<br>With a silver medal and 18 Open bid earned at the recent Windy City qualifier, this is a team featuring some of Ohio's top-ranked prospects in the 2025 class, this squad also includes key prospects outside of Ohio. There are two uncommitted prospects to watch and are worthy of continued evaluations as they are skilled, great competitors, and bring a lot of high-level experience with them over their prep careers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='151988' first='Ella' last='Jackson']</strong> (*pictured) is a very capable setter that spend the entirety of her high school career leading the offense of one of the most successful programs (Gilmour Academy) at any level over her four years. Contributing offensively is [player_tooltip player_id='289167' first='Madison' last='Miner'], a 5'11 pin that can bring big heat at the net and out of the back row. As the majority of athletes on this team are committed, most to Division I schools, these two also represent skills that fit among the upper echelon of prospects in the Prep Dig 2025 rankings. Look for this team to be in the mix on day three once again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NKYVC 18-1 Tsunami</strong> - Overall #6 Seed<br>Another team that features top athletes that cross borders, their core group has been competing together for many years and have great synergy with one another. With most committed to the next level, about half will be heading off to Division I schools. Featured Ohio talent includes two athletes that are among the best in their positions and that each led their high school teams to an Ohio state title (DI Seton, DII St. Ursula) this past fall. Seton's [player_tooltip player_id='227615' first='Callie' last='Combs'] (North Carolina State) is a complete player on both sides of the ball, while St. Ursula's [player_tooltip player_id='152344' first='Emsley' last='Venard'] (Florida Atlantic) steadily grew into one of the most impactful setters with good size and floor direction skills. This team also features two uncommitted prospects that can step on the floor and make things happen. DS/L <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='477121' first='Lacey' last='Hostetler']</strong> is a stabilizer in the back row with her simple style of play in how she reacts to serve and offense coming across the net. The very athletic <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='231876' first='Ella' last='Goetz']</strong> is probably the most versatile athlete on this team as she has experience and tools to play multiple roles between the pins. Having dealt with injury issues a season ago, this is a great opportunity for this group to break through to an open-level bid if they have the services and depth of a full squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mintonette m.81</strong> - Overall #9 Seed<br>Fielding just one team at the 18U division this club season, Mintonette is well represented in talent that is both committed to the next level and features some still available for college programs. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='503054' first='Chloe' last='Moreland']</strong> is one of the better unsigned senior pin attackers in this Ohio class. She had big moments at the Windy City qualifier with an aggressive arm on the right pin. [player_tooltip player_id='232147' first='Isabelle' last='Thomas'] is a 5'11 middle that has been competing on a big stage throughout her prep career during high school and club. She has good tools and confidence to be offensive in front of the setter and overhead that supports pin action well. Another middle that made an impact at the recent Central Zone Invitational is 5'11 <strong>Elise Grundy</strong>. She has good arm speed offensively and is an effective blocker with quick lateral movment and fast hands up and over the net. Setter <strong>Maddie Banks</strong> competed for this club's second 17U team a season ago and arrives to the top team adding good skills and depth to this position. At 5'9, she has tools to contribute in all phases as she can dish with good location, can be offensive at the second contact, and she defends well at the net and back row. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='151976' first='Makenna' last='Glenn']</strong> can contribute efficiently and effectively as a DS/L with good movement and pursuit, while teammate <strong>Madi Johnson</strong> brings big effort and good quickness in her reaction to the ball coming off the attacker's arm. This team opens the event against the top-seeded squad from MiElite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='431827' first='Elevation' last=''] 18 Toth</strong> - Overall #10 Seed<br>This is a team that I feel is better than their seed. Having less tournament experience under their belt this early 2025 club season, they will be ready to compete with big talent back from previous seasons and some key additions that could make a big difference over the course of their schedule. DS/L <strong>Payton Miller</strong>, the GWOC Player of the Year for 2024, is the lone uncommitted prospect on this squad. She provides good support in their ball control and defense, which will be key to get their corps of pin arms meaningful opportunities to do their thing. Don't be surprised if this team is still in the hunt after day one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->