Ohio 18U Top-Ranked Teams Heading Into Bid Event

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ohio bid event is this coming weekend with seven bids available: two National, three American, and two Freedom. The top 24 teams competing are seeded into six pools and will compete in a tradition pool play format to arrive at bid opportunities in the final round. Here's a look at the top-four 18U ranked teams, although not all will be competing this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AVC 18 Red</strong><br>Already two for two in 18U national qualifiers, this team has established itself as a contender any time they step onto a high-level stage. Not competing this weekend, they do have two more open-level qualifying events ahead. We'll see if they can continue the trend mid-season with both the Northeast and MEQ events coming up in March. All prospects on this squad are just months away from arriving at their next-level opportunities. Outside Hitter [player_tooltip player_id='289167' first='Madison' last='Miner'] is the only prospect not committed but has high value in her skill set to land somewhere that she can make a big impact. She is one of a few pin arms that can bring a big combination of pace and range upon contact. I think this is one of the best 18U teams AVC has fielded in recent years as they are complete at each position. They get great ball control and defense from <strong>Lex Stutzman</strong>, [player_tooltip player_id='401366' first='Mi-Na' last='Diggs'], and [player_tooltip player_id='573314' first='Hallie' last='Hendrickx'] who can disrupt opposing offenses while igniting their own. Among those top performers at the net are middle [player_tooltip player_id='152049' first='Kayla' last='Channell'], who has had a great prep career, along with [player_tooltip player_id='289172' first='Natalya' last='Bergant'] and [player_tooltip player_id='218156' first='Chloe' last='Smith']. With only elite events left on their schedule, all outside of Ohio, they have a lot of opportunity to showcase what the best of the OVR has to offer versus great talent around the country.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mintonette m.81</strong><br>This is a team that finished 7th at the Ohio 18U qualifier and enters this weekend's OVR bid event as the top seed. They have a large roster with some good depth to get variety in what they bring offensively, while also balancing the effort that can help keep arms fresh. This bid event is being hosted by T3 Performance and will feature a good portion of Ohio's top 2025 prospects. For Mintonette, look for point scoring from Kate Fourman, [player_tooltip player_id='289166' first='Finley' last='Sparks'], [player_tooltip player_id='152040' first='Macie' last='Moreland'], and [player_tooltip player_id='503054' first='Chloe' last='Moreland'] on the pins. [player_tooltip player_id='232147' first='Isabelle' last='Thomas'] and [player_tooltip player_id='151965' first='Kylah' last='McNeal'] are experienced middles and bring a different look through their respective front row rotations. [player_tooltip player_id='151967' first='Larsen' last='Terrill'] has been leading her teams from the setting role her entire career and is a backbone aspect to helping create their balance and depth. [player_tooltip player_id='445113' first='Rebekah' last='Williams'] represents this senior wave of Mintonette athletes with sound DS/L fundamentals to the next level this next fall. Expect them to earn a bid as a favorite for a national-level opportunity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='431827' first='Elevation' last=''] 18 Toth</strong><br>Also finishing 7th and the Ohio 18U national qualifier, this team is seeded #2 at the upcoming OVR bid event. Featuring some of the best 2025 talent in the Cincy area, the core group from last season got an upgrade with key experience and athleticism joining them. [player_tooltip player_id='179022' first='Mariah' last='Gaines'] has been a prolific point scorer the past few seasons and adds that veteran quality mindset that can help teams win in big moments. [player_tooltip player_id='151958' first='Allie' last='Barrick'] has also been a big offensive threat the past few seasons as she and the length and terminal range and power from [player_tooltip player_id='176087' first='Katie' last='Gielas'] make for a solid pin corps. Other key pieces include setter [player_tooltip player_id='152056' first='Ally' last='Hughes'], who has seen a lot of success over her prep career and has steadily developed into a great distributor. Also making great gains in recent seasons is DS/L prospect [player_tooltip player_id='176092' first='Rainey' last='Weidman'], who will take her game to Central Michigan next season. This is a group that has all the pieces and when they are all in sync they can be very dangerous.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='431679' first='NOVA' last='Juniors'] 18 Navy</strong><br>Finishing just outside of bid position in the 18 National division at the Ohio 18U qualifier, this team earned a very respectable 5th place finish at the Central Zone event in 18 Premier. The core group of this team earned a 19th place finish in the 17 American division at the 2024 GJNC. As I have long respected the talent and effort that represents NOVA at all age group, they work hard and compete with a lot of energy and purpose, which work in their favor to win big matches. Entering this weekend's Ohio 18U bid event as the #3 seed, they have a shot to get on the podium with a National-level bid in hand with all the following experience back. Look for [player_tooltip player_id='289168' first='Layne' last='Graffice'], a big arm and key offensive threat that has a ton of terminal point scoring results behind her. She is a true competitor that has developed a full array of ways to score off her savvy arm skills. [player_tooltip player_id='152038' first='Abbey' last='Debevec'] can provide a lot as a six-rotation prospect. Her ball control and defense are solid and her ability to move the ball around with good control when hitting has created impressive moments. Middle [player_tooltip player_id='521593' first='Karley' last='Allwood'] can be equally impressive with her offense as her range of tools has increasingly developed to help create more effectiveness through her options. [player_tooltip player_id='261351' first='Reese' last='Kelly'] provides good balance at the right pin, making for some tough action to defend when three viable options are available at the net. At the libero role, Marist commit [player_tooltip player_id='194214' first='Haylee' last='Wenner'] does good work in the serve receive phase that is efficient in her movement and effective in where she can direct the ball with her angles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->