GJNC Preview: Three OVR Teams Set to Battle in 16 Open

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Qualifying for the open level at the GJNC is a tall task and one that is to be celebrated given the intensity, competition, and national-level stage. As only 36 teams qualified into the 16 Open division at the upcoming USAV national championships, now is the opportunity for fans to see who is the best in the country. The Ohio Valley Region has good depth of individual and team talent, which includes three teams that qualified to 16 Open starting on Monday. Here is a quick review of those teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Academy Cleveland 16 Red</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Earning their bid at the Mideast Qualifier, this team has some key pieces that, if on point, can help them advance well through the tournament. Starting with middle [player_tooltip player_id='480840' first='Kyla' last='Williams'], the #12 prospect in Prep Dig's national rankings, she is a coveted middle in this class. She can be imposing at the net on both sides of the ball and earlier committed to NCAA national power Pitt, where she is sure to shine in the future given her physicality. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='501007' first='Avary' last='Brown'] is also committed as she will be headed to Butler. Her ability to get her hitters into good situations very often is a huge asset. This includes a trio of high flying heavy-armed pins in [player_tooltip player_id='481209' first='Payton' last='Beard'], <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='875768' first='Julia' last='Cernich']</strong>, and <strong>Annie Culkar</strong>. They each can challenge the defense well but if they get any space, they have the awareness and tools to be able to exploit it. Other contributing arms include [player_tooltip player_id='763919' first='Emily' last='Martin'], [player_tooltip player_id='592203' first='Addison' last='Lefeld'], and [player_tooltip player_id='480836' first='Rylan' last='Acton']. Ball control is an area this team can excel led by libero [player_tooltip player_id='569698' first='Milani' last='Marrero'] as she can create offense with good range in her pursuit. [player_tooltip player_id='492643' first='Ellie' last='French'] can also come in and make a big impact with her passing and defense. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='535850' first='Hailey' last='Gutfranski'] is one of the better setters in this Ohio 2027 class and is very capable of running this team's offense with good precision and effectiveness. Look for AVC 16 Red, the #27 seed, as they start day one in Pool 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[program_tooltip program_id='431827' first='Elevation' last=''] 16 Goller</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of two OVR teams to gain their bid at the Windy City qualifier, they finished tied for 5th in a stacked field that included several teams that had previously qualified. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='480817' first='Kendall' last='Hubbard'] is one of the best athletes in this class with dual skills as a distributor and a big arm if needed. Their offense is ignited by their passing and defense, which is led by [player_tooltip player_id='435871' first='Ali' last='Strange'] and 2026 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='487235' first='Lindsey' last='Curless']. Pin hitter [player_tooltip player_id='480801' first='Savanna' last='Stacey'] can also pass while putting down some heavy kills from the left side. [player_tooltip player_id='480794' first='Morgan' last='Meiring'] can deliver in serve receive as well and provides some of the best contact point and pace when on time in the air as she can bring it through different attack points as an outside hitter. Middles [player_tooltip player_id='481208' first='Jillian' last='Turvey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='480832' first='Kylie' last='George'] bring different strengths as middles as each is capable of making impact on both sides of the ball between the pins, including some big pace and range with their arms. [player_tooltip player_id='592223' first='Lexi' last='Luginbuhl'] and [player_tooltip player_id='592218' first='Alex' last='Morris'] add good length and depth as the right side is also an area this corps of middles can offer offense and big blocking. Setter <strong>Abby Keller</strong> provides additional support, primarily with her defense on the right side of the court. If this group can get their middles into rhythm and find success in that area of their offense, their pins will have better opportunities to score, which will create balance and increase their potential to stay among the top teams after pool play. They are seeded #34 in Pool 6.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[program_tooltip program_id='431555' first='Mintonette' last=''] m.61</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='480860' first='Bella' last='Borgio'], a 6'0 outside hitter, is the first from this team to announce her commitment as she will head to Santa Clara in the future for her NCAA DI volleyball career. She has been very terminal with her arm since she arrived in high school as she can get up and bring some heat. [player_tooltip player_id='480805' first='Kamryn' last='Cocherl'] was recently announced as the #113 ranked 2027 prospect in Prep Dig's national rankings. She is a versatile athlete with a heater of an arm from anywhere on the court. Another anchor area for this team has been in their setting. Both [player_tooltip player_id='480859' first='Lilah' last='Laaper'] and [player_tooltip player_id='474086' first='Kelsie' last='Smith'] have been mainstays in this role as two of the better distributors in the 2027 Ohio class. <strong>Serania Fonoti</strong> is emerging as a quality setter in this class as well as she can run this team well in her opportunities. Middle [player_tooltip player_id='766536' first='Nadiya' last='Webb'] is an electric middle as she can get up well and contact high and with good pace. Also in the middle you'll see [player_tooltip player_id='480858' first='Queen' last='Beard'] and [player_tooltip player_id='693791' first='Elle' last='Mortimer'], both capable of scoring and defending well. In their 6-2 system, they get good contributions at the right pin from the length and athleticism from [player_tooltip player_id='712618' first='Aubree' last='Frazier'], [player_tooltip player_id='759642' first='Kadence' last='Goolsby'], and [player_tooltip player_id='766538' first='Marlee' last='Sharps']. Each of them can take healthy swings that helps complete their offense throughout each rotation. [player_tooltip player_id='549972' first='Addison' last='Knapke'] is a solid libero prospect that can run the ball down with good impact while 2026 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='772259' first='Journey' last='Nicola'] provides additional support in the first-contact phase. This team also qualified at Windy City as they recently finished 11th overall at the AAU national championships. They will open the GJNC seeded #28 overall in Pool 4.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->