Big South Qualifier 16 & 17 Open Dream Team

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Be sure to follow&nbsp;@lshotvb&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/lshotvb/">Instagram</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lshotvb?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc">Tik Tok&nbsp;</a>and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/LineShotVBall">Twitter</a>&nbsp;for all things volleyball!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>–</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This may have been one of the most competitive Big South Qualifiers in recent memory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the last few years, Big South acted as one of those tournaments at the tail end of the qualifier season that saw a lot of trickle down action. This year, it was well within the midst and brought on a few more heavy hammers to join the party. It wasn't just March Madness on the basketball courts in Atlanta, but the volleyball courts too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 16 and 17 Open was where all of the fun was in Atlanta. The gold bracket rounds for these two divisions were top tier volleyball with high level play and an extremely entertaining watch. Let's talk about some of the top of the top, the 16 and 17 Open Dream Teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">17 Open</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Congratulations Mintonette M.71 for winning this year's 17 Open and to Metro, NKYVC and LAV for earning their bids to USAV Nationals in Dallas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sara Snowbarger - Mintonette</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Indiana bound outside hitter is the definition of relentless. Sara Snowbarger was easily playing some of her best ball of the season, and on all fronts. Her attacking was second to none when it came to this field of pins. Snowbarger's passing and back court play was also something to marvel at as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Caydence Doolan - Metro</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Caydence Doolan is truly the glue that keeps this Metro team together. She is the complete package. Doolan is that undersized outside that can pass nails, then back it up and break some fingers off the block for a point. The future Golden Eagle was critical for Metro when it mattered most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Audrey Dyas - NKYVC</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Audrey Dyas reminds me again and again why she is one of my favorite middles in this class. This middle blocker is so poised and so balanced in so many different areas of the game. Unlike a lot of middles, Dyas' ability to adjust and manipulate on the fly is so commendable and what makes her so lethal to defend. Dyas was the key piece in NKYVC's bounce back from losing on Day 1 to finding themselves Top 3 and with a bid in hand.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Anna Hoffmeyer - LAV</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This LAV squad is surely heating up and shaking up this whole 17 Open field. One of the biggest reasons is Anna Hoffmeyer in the middle. This is my first time seeing Hoffmeyer in action, and man oh man, it will NOT be my last. Much like Dyas, Hoffmeyer is so incredibly agile. Her range in her routes as well as her attack is so impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ava Brown - Minonette</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This may be a player that doesn't get a lot of love from this INCREDIBLY deep Mintonette team. But let me tell you, Ava Brown, your work did NOT go unnoticed. When it came time for a championship run, this is where Brown shined the brightest. On the right pin, or down the middle of the court, Brown's ability to terminate the ball is massive! Her swing was undeniable and her block was impossible to surpass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Alice Wood - LAV</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Much like Hoffmeyer, this is my first time seeing Alice Wood and this LAV team in action. To say I am a fan is an understatement, Wood is easily one of the premier setters in this 17 Open group. And she isn't even a junior. Yes, as only a sophomore, Wood is playing well beyond her years. Her poise and demeanor running her offense was so smooth and so crisp. If there is an epicenter to this team's winning ways, it all starts with Wood!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Emma Cugino - Mintonette</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There seems to be nothing this libero can't pick up. Emma Cugino is one of the best defenders in the nation. It's at times like these, when you're fighting for a championship and fighting to go undefeated, where that shines the brightest. Cugino cranks things up a notch with every game she goes throughout a tournament and she never seems to slow down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">16 Open</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Congratulations Legacy 16-1 Adidas for winning this year's 16 Open and to Arizona Storm and A5 for earning their bids to USAV Nationals in Dallas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Kate Kalczynski - Legacy</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I can't get over this player's continual growth and development the further we get into her prep career. For someone like Kate Kalczynski that has been so strong for so long already, you expect them to slow down sooner or later. I don't think we'll see that from her anytime soon. Kalczynski continues to shine in her complete game. As Legacy's go-to for everything, passing, defending, scoring, you name it, Kalczysnki rises to the pressure and comes out better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Calli LeFevre - Legacy</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seeing Calli LeFevre on the floor this weekend was a much welcome surprise. As a player who missed a large chunk of the fall high school season due to injury, it was unknown when we'd see her in a large capacity. Well, guess who's back? Down the stretch, where it all mattered most, is when you really had to tell yourself this because LeFevre looks like she hasn't skipped a beat on the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Tessa Larkin - Arizona Storm</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Man, does Arizona Storm know how to pump out those top tier outsides! Tessa Larkin is the next big name in this class and for such good reason. As this team's hot hand, Larkin can sky well above her competitors and thunder in kill after kill. She uses her full length and reach to her advantage, in tandem, it was just too much for teams to handle until the very end!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Kendall Omoruyi - Arizona Storm</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This has to be one of the most electrifying middles in the entire 2026 class. While Kendall Omoruyi can score with ease at the net, when this player connected with a ball, it was jaw dropping! Omoruyi was finding so much success on just about every set she was given. Throw her in the gap, run her behind, it really didn't matter. With the speed and power Omoruyi plays with, defending her is really impossible.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Kylee Evans - A5</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of the many big weapons on this A5 team, Kylee Evans really had some shining moments to note from the weekend. As the main weapon in the middle, this player really connects well with setter Marissa Jones. When they can run that connection, it is absolutely deadly for any opposing team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Marlie Smith - Legacy</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Legacy 16-1 Adidas team doesn't do the undefeated run without the magic sauce of Marlie Smith. The ultimate gamer, the ultimate decider, Smith is truly an incredible talent on the court. Not only did Legacy go on a 10-0 run, but they didn't drop a SINGLE set all weekend en route to a Big South title and their bid to Dallas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Ria Furuta - NKYVC</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While NKYVC may have been on the outside looking in for that illusive bid to Dallas, there was still some incredible volleyball that was played from the Northern Kentucky team. Ria Furuta, in the libero jersey, was one of the shining stars on the weekend. In a field chock full of top tier 'bros, Furuta really showed her own and stood tall amongst the best this age had to offer!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->