Michigan Takes Over the Mideast Qualifier (Pt. 2)

<p><em><strong>Be sure to follow @lshotvb on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc">Tik Tok </a>and <a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a> for all things volleyball!</strong></em></p>   <p>–</p>   <p>The Mideast Qualifier is one of the biggest tournaments of the year. With some of the biggest teams from all corners of the country in one place, the state of Michigan was well-represented.</p>   <p>Seemingly just about every club that the mitten state has to offer was on tap for this elite level tournament. With bids to the USAV Girls' Junior National Championships in Dallas on the line, everyone's game was at full force.</p>   <p>We're going to take a look at some of the top performers from MEQ that you don't typically hear about. There were many teams that placed within the top of their age groups and divisions. So, there is plenty of love to go around. </p>   <p>Here's a look at the second half of the players that showed out in Indianapolis.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='240701' first='Giselle' last='Burlingame'] - L2</h2>   <p>The libero position often times can go overlooked, but [player_tooltip player_id='240701' first='Giselle' last='Burlingame']'s play this weekend simply cannot. While this team continues to find their footing, a lot of their success is to the credit of Burlingame in the back court. She's a mighty defender that can track down a lot of balls and takes on a heavy passing load.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='478074' first='Sarah' last='Pippin'] - NIVA</h2>   <p>We don't usually get to hear about the going-ons of the southwest Michigan kids, but [player_tooltip player_id='478074' first='Sarah' last='Pippin'] and NIVA were putting in the work. May be one of the strongest players to come out of this area in recent memory, Pippin continues to prove her strengths on the court. There is times Pippin looks to be the best player in the gym, the speed in which she attacks is just so deadly.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='512138' first='Sienna' last='Dennis'] - Crank It </h2>   <p>If there was a name I didn't know too well before this weekend, it was [player_tooltip player_id='512138' first='Sienna' last='Dennis']. If there is a player that I'll be keeping tabs on for now on, it is [player_tooltip player_id='512138' first='Sienna' last='Dennis']. This middle shows quite the upside on this Crank It 17s team. She has a knack for being quite explosive. When she connects with the ball, it is quite the feat to defend. The more opportunities she received, the better off the team was.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='762880' first='Rylee' last='Plauman'] - Crank It </h2>   <p>Another newbie to my radar, [player_tooltip player_id='762880' first='Rylee' last='Plauman'] is another middle out of the Crank It cannon that has loads of potential. Much like her older counterpart, Dennis, Plauman shows big signs of big play. When she can connect with the ball, the point is instantaneous. I'll be looking forward to seeing her young career flourish throughout the club season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='728696' first='Emiya' last='Franklin'] & [player_tooltip player_id='443001' first='Zoe' last='Ryan'] - Michigan Elite</h2>   <p>With the absence of a contributor, [player_tooltip player_id='523867' first='Miranda' last='Polley'], both [player_tooltip player_id='728696' first='Emiya' last='Franklin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='443001' first='Zoe' last='Ryan'] stepped up in big ways. Not only did the two step up for their respective teams in their position, but managed to step outside of their comfort zone and play other positions at a really high level.</p>   <p>Franklin is one of those players that just ooze athleticism. When she takes flight off of the court, it is hard to say the damage that is about to take. Her vertical is so impressive and when she gets on top of the ball, a lot of force is often behind it.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='523863' first='Willow' last='Mason'] - Michigan Elite</h2>   <p>Seeing this prospect was a pleasant surprise to see on Friday. Getting the call up to compete with Michigan Elite's 18 National squad, [player_tooltip player_id='523863' first='Willow' last='Mason'] spent little time cementing her presence in the gym. 18 National has been a team on the low burn this season, but managed to come out on Day 1 of MEQ with a lot of fire, running a 3-0 finish. Mason's high flying ways played a big role.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='442977' first='Demi' last='McCoy'] - Michigan Elite</h2>   <p>Speaking of high fliers and difference makers, [player_tooltip player_id='442977' first='Demi' last='McCoy'] continues to be playing at such a high level. After the huge state championship win in November, McCoy's game continues to grow. While 16 National West only placed 31st in the tournament, they went onto a 7-1 record. An unfortunate 3 way tie breaker on day 1 was a huge blow to the team, but regardless of this, McCoy shined every step of the way.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='523848' first='Nicole' last='McDowell'] - Legacy</h2>   <p>Legacy's 16-2 Adidas had themselves quite the weekend. Of all of the teams from Michigan in the Mideast Qualifier, spanning across several divisions, this team may have placed the highest of them all. </p>   <p>One of the players at the forefront of this team is [player_tooltip player_id='523848' first='Nicole' last='McDowell'] in the middle. This is a player that has been ranging in and out of the middle, but she seems to be really finding a stride and new gear shift as of late. Her arm swing has become much more refined, and therefore, a LOT more potent in scoring opportunities.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='747097' first='Darby' last='Crystal'] - Legacy</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='747097' first='Darby' last='Crystal'] is a newbie to this very strong 17-2 Adidas squad out of Legacy. Traditionally a middle in years prior, Crystal is playing a lot of time on the right pin and is looking to be quite comfortable. Going from the quicker set, to a higher ball, seems to be a perfect fit for Crystal to use the entirety of her 6'2 frame. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Maya Kuebler & [player_tooltip player_id='513767' first='Rachel' last='Johnston'] - High Performance</h2>   <p>There is more to highlight when it comes to this High Performance team. First, let's talk about the defensive side of things. Maya Kuebler is looking to be coming on extremely strong at the bulk of the club season. As someone who got some playing time in the fall with Clarkston, Kuebler has seemingly cemented herself in the libero jersey for HPVBA and thriving in the role. Her team requires her to take on a vast range of court and she was often times successful.</p>   <p>On the right pin, [player_tooltip player_id='513767' first='Rachel' last='Johnston'] is a player that jumped off of the page for me. While, this is a player that isn't looked upon to take the brunt of the offensive load, this is a player that could see an increased opportunity and deliver for her team. Johnston jumps well, her arm swing is fast and she looks to be playing with a lot of confidence.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='482160' first='Livi' last='Overbeek'] & [player_tooltip player_id='443896' first='Sydney' last='Bates'] - Dead Frog</h2>   <p>At last, one of the few 18s teams from Michigan to be on tap at MEQ, Dead Frog 18 Black never disappoints. This is one of the strongest teams that Dead Frog has seen out of them in a long time. And they're looking to bookend their careers on a high note.</p>   <p> [player_tooltip player_id='482160' first='Livi' last='Overbeek'] was a highlight for the Frogs in Indianapolis. She is seemingly finding another notch of play within the last several months as she led her high school team to a deep postseason run in the fall. She's using much more of her length when attacking, and in turn, finding a lot more kills in her attack attempts.</p>   <p>Running the offense, [player_tooltip player_id='443896' first='Sydney' last='Bates'] is such a strong product in a tough 2025 class of setters. Coming into the weekend, I was wondering how she would run her offense without the first contact of [player_tooltip player_id='156291' first='Taygan' last='Corstange'] (Wright State). The stud libero has opted the early grad route and left a big hole on the court. For Bates, this has seemingly only improved her game. She is finding ways to put her hitters in better positions even without the consistency in the back court. </p>

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