Six Prospects From HOA Regional Bid Matches

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I scouted two club matches in Lawerence in the 16 American Division Region Bid Tournament yesterday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I also featured athletes yesterday in reports from the two victorious teams from those matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, I would like to feature six athletes from the two squads who fell in those matches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='575955' first='Raegan' last='McDonald'],</strong> 6'2”, MB/RS, Valley Center, '28 (Shockwave 16-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McDonald is ranked No. 8 overall in the Kansas Class of 2028. She had a solid match, and I can't figure out why she is on the 16-2 squad instead of the 16-1 Shockwave team. She finished with a team-high six kills. She is an aggressive hitter who plays solid back-row defense for her size. She also recorded four digs and three serve receptions. I like her size and also saw her play for Valley Center last fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='530009' first='Payton' last='Southard'],</strong> 5'6”, DS/L, Maize South, '28 (Shockwave 16-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Southard is ranked No. 59 overall in the Kansas Class of 2028. She is a quick defensive specialist who has a quality platform. She made consistent first passes in the loss to KS Networks 16-2. She jumps well and can come in handy as a utility attacker if needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='715871' first='Emma' last='Davee'],</strong> 6'3”, MH/OH, Maize South, ‘29&nbsp; (Shockwave 16-2)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davee is all set to be included in the initial Kansas Class of 2029 rankings. Anytime a scout sees a six-foot-plus eight-grader, that scout cannot help but stand up and take notice. The amazing thing about her game was her gracefulness. She showed no signs of the awkwardness some young athletes have after early growth spurts. She hit the ball hard and was not intimidated by playing against elite older talent. She plans to attend Maize South High School.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='714529' first='Charly' last='Vollertsen']</strong>, 6'0”, OH/RS, Garden City, '28 (SW Pursuit 16-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vollertsen is ranked No. 13 overall in the Kansas Class of 2028. The Pursuit was overmatched by a tough MAVS KC 16-1 squad in their opening match of the day. Vollertsen was one of the only athletes who seemed not to get rattled. She is a gifted athlete who is already a skilled attacker. She did not have a great hitting-match, but the Pursuit were playing on their heels and were from playing their best match of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='766407' first='Aryn' last='Michaelis']</strong>, 6'1”, MB, Lakin, '27 (SW Pursuit16-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Michaelis is a long athlete who also did a nice job when she needed to play defense. She recorded three kills in the loss to MAVS KC. She also pitched defensively with two digs and two serve receptions. She is an unranked prospect at this time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='766408' first='Nora' last='Lamb']</strong>, 5'9”, OH, Garden City, '28 (SW Pursuit 16-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lamb is an unranked prospect who impressed me with her gritty play. She is quick on her feet and communicates well. &nbsp;She finished the match with one kill, two digs, and two serve receptions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->