The Bids Keep Coming

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With regional competitions and qualifiers, the Gateway and Heart of America regions keep racking bids to nationals with strong play over the weekend. Let's see who earned bids for the first time and who upgraded previously earned spots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Salt Lake City</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 17 Black would up their bid, moving up to the USA after a second-place finish after an 8-1 finish. They lost a hard-fought battle with Oklahoma Peak in the finals. [player_tooltip player_id='222091' first='Avery' last='Sands'], Syndi Lafasciano, and [player_tooltip player_id='355660' first='Alyssa' last='Gray'] continued their strong play from the pins. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] returned to Kansas City with a couple of bids after [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 17 Blue claimed the American division, going a perfect 10-0 and only dropping one set. [player_tooltip player_id='370867' first='Emily' last='Cromer'] and [player_tooltip player_id='735629' first='Emma' last='Macaluso'] are Missouri-based players having a productive spring and contributed to the title run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Reno</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 16 Black would secure an Open Bid after a third-place showing at the Far Western Qualifier in Nevada. They would finish the weekend 6-3. [player_tooltip player_id='480396' first='Peyton' last='Kubik'] continued her strong spring. [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] also got strong blocking this tournament from Myrsa Greenamyre and [player_tooltip player_id='524854' first='Elizabeth' last='Weaver']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Regional Bids</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 15 American, two bids were at stake and [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 15 Blue and Invasion 15-1 would emerge as the two teams clinching a berth to nationals. [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] went 7-0 and Invasion 5-1. Ali Meeks looked strong for Invasion throughout the tournament with a live arm on the outside. [player_tooltip player_id='778345' first='Mia' last='Roberts'] ran a solid offense and showed her ability to hold her own defensively at the net. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One bid was in play in the Freedom Division and Mavs 15-3 dominated the competition going 8-0 and not dropping a set the whole tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moving on to 16 American, Mavs 16 Elite was your regional champions, finishing the tournament on top with a 7-0 showing. A strong two-days from KC [program_tooltip program_id='428823' first='Voltage' last=''] 16-1 gave them a runner-up finish and a ticket to nationals. [player_tooltip player_id='733192' first='Liv' last='Stevens'] was a weapon from the outside and behind the 10-foot line with good swings. [player_tooltip player_id='478871' first='Maryn' last='Dean'] and her ball placement were on point and [player_tooltip player_id='528264' first='Avery' last='Hemphill'] benefited often on the pin by putting the ball away. For [program_tooltip program_id='428823' first='Voltage' last=''], [player_tooltip player_id='770347' first='Ava' last='Lane'] was lights out in the libero jersey. Middle [player_tooltip player_id='485567' first='Tandee' last='Hiser'] was effective off the slide.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>16 Freedom Division had [program_tooltip program_id='428889' first='Dynasty' last=''] 16 Blue standing on top when the dust cleared and clinching the sole bid. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->